genesis-16:12,-genesis-25:18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 16:12

against. True to-day and for over 3,000 years. Compare Genesis 21:20 . Isaiah 21:13 .Jeremiah 3:2 .Ezra 8:31 .Psalms 10:8 , Psalms 10:9 . presence = face, i.e. on the face of the same country. brethren. Esp. with the Midianites (Genesis 37:28 ), Midian being his half-brother, by Keturah (compare Judges 8:22 , Judges 8:24 ). Compare the fulfillment in Genesis 25:18 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 16:12

"And he shall be as a wild ass among men; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his brethren."This is a continuation of the message of the angel of Jehovah. "He shall be as a wild ass among men ..." The antagonistic and war-like disposition of the Arab nations has continued until the present time. Only God could have uttered a prophecy so circumstantially fulfilled over such a long period of time. Dods' discerning comment is:... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 16:12

Genesis 16:12. He will be a wild man— In the original it is, a wild ass man; and the learned Bochart translates it, tam ferus quam onager, as wild as a wild ass. But what is the nature of the animal to which Ishmael is so particularly compared? It cannot be described better than it is in the book of Job 39:5; Job 39:30. Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwelling. He scorneth the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 16:12

12. he will be a wild man—literally, "a wild ass man," expressing how the wildness of Ishmael and his descendants resembles that of the wild ass. his hand will be against every man—descriptive of the rude, turbulent, and plundering character of the Arabs. dwell in the presence of all his brethren—dwell, that is, pitch tents; and the meaning is that they maintain their independence in spite of all attempts to extirpate or subdue them. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 16:7-14

The angel of the LORD and Hagar 16:7-14This is the first of 48 references to "the angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament. Sometimes, as here, the Angel is deity, and in other places he appears to be an angelic messenger from the Lord."The prophetic description of Ishmael as a ’wild ass of a man’ [Genesis 16:12] (RSV) is rather intriguing. The animal referred to is the wild and untamable onager, which roams the desert at will. This figure of speech depicts very accurately the freedom-loving... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

The Circumstances connected with the Birth of Ishmael1, 2. Abraham was now eighty-five years old, Sarah was seventy-five, and the promise of an heir seemed no nearer fulfilment. Despairing of offspring herself, Sarah persuades Abraham to take her Egyptian maid Hagar as a secondary wife, intending, according to ancient custom, to regard the issue as her own. But her lack of faith in God’s promises was productive of very unhappy consequences. 4. Hagar] The Arabs claim descent from Hagar through... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 16:12

(12) He will be a wild man.—Heb., he will be a wild-ass man. The wild ass of the Arabian deserts is a very noble creature, and is one of the animals selected in the Book of Job as especially exemplifying the greatness of God (Job 39:5-8). Its characteristics are great speed, love of solitude, and an untamable fondness of liberty. It is thus the very type of the Bedaween Arabs, whose delight is to rove at will over the desert, and who despise the ease and luxury of a settled life.His hand will... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 16:1-16

A Particular Providence As Revealed in the Gospel Genesis 16:13 God beholds thee individually, whoever thou art. He 'calls the by thy name'. He sees thee, and understands thee, as He made thee. He knows what is in thee, all thy own peculiar feelings and thoughts, thy dispositions and likings, thy strength and thy weakness. He views thee in thy day of rejoicing, and thy day of sorrow. He sympathizes in thy hopes and thy temptations. He interests Himself in all thy anxieties and remembrances,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

BIRTH OF ISHMAELGenesis 16:1-16IN this unpretending chapter we have laid bare to us the origin of one of the most striking facts in the history of religion: namely, that from the one person of Abram have sprung Christianity and that religion which has been and still is its most formidable rival and enemy, Mohammedanism. To Ishmael, the son of Abram, the Arab tribes are proud to trace their pedigree. Through him they claim Abram as their father, and affirm that they are his truest... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

CHAPTER 16 Abraham and Hagar 1. Sarai’s suggestion (Genesis 16:1-3 ) 2. Abram’s action (Genesis 16:4 ) 3. Sarai and Hagar (Genesis 16:5-6 ) 4. Hagar in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7-9 ) 5. The birth of Ishmael announced (Genesis 16:10-14 ) 6. Ishmael born (Genesis 16:15-16 ) The fifteenth chapter may be called Abram’s faith chapter. The sixteenth is the chapter of unbelief. It was impatience which forced Sarai and Abram to act for themselves. Unbelief is impatience and impatience is... read more