Then the angel added, "I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count." Then the angel addedThe phrase "Then the angel added" introduces a divine messenger, often understood as a theophany or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in conservative Christian theology. The Hebrew word for "angel" is "mal'ak," which means "messenger." This indicates a direct communication from God, emphasizing the importance and authority of the message. In the context of Genesis, angels often serve as intermediaries between God and humans, delivering messages of great significance. This particular angelic encounter underscores God's active involvement in the unfolding narrative of His people. I will greatly multiply
The promise "I will greatly multiply" reflects God's covenantal language, reminiscent of His promises to Abraham. The Hebrew root "rabah" means to increase or become numerous. This multiplication is not merely a natural increase but a divine blessing, indicating God's favor and purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, having numerous descendants was a sign of divine blessing and favor, ensuring the continuation of one's lineage and legacy. your offspring
The term "offspring" translates from the Hebrew "zera," meaning seed or descendants. This word is significant in biblical theology, as it often refers to the continuation of a covenantal line. In the broader narrative of Genesis, the concept of "offspring" ties into God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Here, the promise extends to Hagar, indicating that God's blessings and purposes transcend human expectations and social norms. so that they will be too numerous to count
This phrase echoes the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 15:5, where God tells him that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. The idea of being "too numerous to count" signifies an overwhelming abundance, a divine fulfillment beyond human comprehension. In the Hebrew context, this hyperbolic expression underscores the magnitude of God's blessing and the certainty of His promises. It reassures Hagar of her son's future significance and God's overarching plan, even amidst her personal struggles. Persons / Places / Events 1. HagarAn Egyptian maidservant of Sarai, given to Abram to bear a child. She is the mother of Ishmael. 2. The Angel of the LORDA divine messenger who appears to Hagar in the wilderness, offering her guidance and promises. 3. AbramThe patriarch to whom God promised numerous descendants. He is the husband of Sarai and father of Ishmael through Hagar. 4. SaraiAbram's wife, who, due to her barrenness, gives Hagar to Abram as a surrogate to bear a child. 5. The WildernessThe place where Hagar encounters the Angel of the LORD after fleeing from Sarai. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesDespite human actions that deviate from His plan, God remains faithful to His promises, as seen in His assurance to Hagar. Divine Intervention in Times of DistressHagar's encounter with the Angel of the LORD demonstrates that God sees and responds to our afflictions. The Value of Every LifeGod's promise to Hagar about her descendants highlights the value and purpose He places on every life, regardless of circumstances. Trusting God's TimingAbram and Sarai's decision to have a child through Hagar shows the consequences of not waiting on God's timing, encouraging us to trust in His perfect plan. God's Omnipresence and CareJust as God found Hagar in the wilderness, He is present in our lives, aware of our struggles, and ready to guide us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the promise given to Hagar in Genesis 16:10 reflect God's character and His faithfulness to His word? 2. In what ways can we see the consequences of Abram and Sarai's decision to act outside of God's timing in our own lives? 3. How does the account of Hagar and the promise of her descendants connect to the broader account of God's plan for humanity? 4. What can we learn from Hagar's experience about God's presence and care in our times of distress? 5. How does the promise to Hagar in Genesis 16:10 encourage us to value every life and see God's purpose in our own lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:2God's promise to Abram about making him a great nation connects to the promise given to Hagar about her descendants. Genesis 21:18The promise to Hagar is reiterated when God speaks to her about Ishmael's future. Galatians 4:22-31Paul references Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living under the promise. Psalm 139:7-10Reflects on God's omnipresence, similar to how God finds Hagar in the wilderness. Isaiah 54:1Speaks of the barren woman having more children, connecting to the theme of unexpected blessings and fulfillment of God's promises. People Abram, Bered, Hagar, Ishmael, SaraiPlaces Beer-lahai-roi, Bered, Canaan, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, Shur DesertTopics Added, Angel, Count, Descendants, Exceedingly, Greatly, Increase, Increased, Messenger, Moreover, Multiply, Multiplying, Multitude, Numbered, Numerous, SeedDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 16:10 1655 hundreds and thousands Genesis 16:7-13 1454 theophany Genesis 16:9-12 5661 brothers Library Omniscience
Remember that, ye sons of men, ye are not unregarded; ye do not pass through this world in unseen obscurity. In darkest shades of night eyes glare on you through the gloom. In the brightness of the day angels are spectators of your labours. From heaven there look down upon you spirits who see all that finite beings are capable of beholding. But if we think that thought worth treasuring up, there is one which sums up that and drowns it, even as a drop is lost in the ocean; it is the thought, "Thou …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament "Thou, God, Seest Me. " --Gen. xvi. 13
"Thou, God, seest me."--Gen. xvi. 13. O God, unseen, but not unknown, Thine eye is ever fix'd on me; I dwell beneath Thy secret throne, Encompass'd by Thy Deity. Throughout this universe of space, To nothing am I long allied, For flight of time and change of place, My strongest, dearest bonds divide. Parents I had, but where are they? Friends whom I knew, I know no more; Companions, once that cheer'd my way, Have dropp'd behind or gone before. Now I am one amidst a crowd Of life and action hurrying …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
ABRAHAM, THE TRADITIONAL FATHER OF HIS RACE.--Gen. 12:1-8; 13:1-13; 16; 18, 19; 21:7; 22:1-19. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 73-94. Prin of Pol., 160-175. Jehovah said to Abraham, Go forth from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will show thee, that I may make of thee a great nation; and I will surely bless thee, and make thy name great, so that thou shalt be a blessing, I will also bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Incarnation.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that hath been made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was …
Marcus Dods—The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St. John, Vol. I Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 16:10 NIVGenesis 16:10 NLTGenesis 16:10 ESVGenesis 16:10 NASBGenesis 16:10 KJV
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