Topical Encyclopedia Hagar is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, primarily found in the Book of Genesis. She is an Egyptian maidservant to Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Her account is pivotal in understanding the complexities of faith, promise, and God's providence in the lives of the patriarchs.Background and Role Hagar enters the biblical account in Genesis 16. Sarah, who is barren, gives Hagar to her husband Abraham as a wife in hopes of obtaining children through her. This act reflects the customs of the time, where a servant could bear children on behalf of a barren wife. Genesis 16:1-2 states, "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai." Hagar and Ishmael Hagar conceives and bears a son, Ishmael. Her pregnancy leads to tension between her and Sarah, resulting in Hagar fleeing into the wilderness. In Genesis 16:7-10 , the Angel of the LORD finds Hagar by a spring of water and instructs her to return to Sarah, promising her numerous descendants: "The Angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert—the spring along the road to Shur. 'Hagar, servant of Sarai,' He asked, 'where have you come from, and where are you going?' 'I am running away from my mistress Sarai,' she replied. Then the Angel of the LORD told her, 'Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.' The Angel added, 'I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.'" Hagar's Encounter with God Hagar's encounter with the Angel of the LORD is profound, as she is one of the few individuals in the Bible to receive a direct promise from God. She names the LORD who spoke to her "El Roi," meaning "the God who sees me," acknowledging God's awareness and care for her plight (Genesis 16:13). Later Life and Legacy Hagar's account continues in Genesis 21, where tensions rise again after the birth of Isaac, the son of Sarah and Abraham. Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, which grieves Abraham. However, God reassures Abraham, saying in Genesis 21:12-13 , "But God said to Abraham, 'Do not be distressed over the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.'" Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the desert, where God provides for them. Genesis 21:17-19 recounts, "God heard the boy crying, and the Angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.' Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." Significance Hagar's narrative is rich with themes of God's faithfulness and care for the marginalized. Her account highlights the complexities of human relationships and divine intervention. Hagar is recognized as the matriarch of a great nation, as Ishmael is traditionally considered the ancestor of many Arab peoples. Her account serves as a testament to God's promises and His ability to see and provide for those in distress. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 16:1Now Sarai Abram's wife bore him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. Nave's Topical Index Library What is Meant by Abraham's Marrying Keturah after Sarah's Death. Abraham --The Father of the Faithful. The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar Here Followeth the Life of Abraham The Patriarchs. Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility Chapter xxv Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs. Genesis Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision Resources Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Sarah and Hagar? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ishmael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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