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John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 16:12

16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and {f} he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.(f) That is, the Ishmaelites will be a separate people by themselves and not part of another people. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

HUMAN EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S PROMISE Though Abram was a man of faith, Sarai his wife had not borne children, and she weakened his faith by making a mere fleshly suggestion that he should use Sarai's bondmaid, Hagar, by whom to bear a child for Sarai (v.2). Abram's experience with the Lord in chapter 15 ought to have strengthened him to realize that God's promise was sure even though they had to wait so long for its fulfilment. As to the fulfilling of the promise, Abram did not have to... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

THE TOKEN OF THE COVENANT Our lessons are grouping themselves around the great facts of Scripture as we proceed, and while we are omitting nothing essential, emphasis is laid on the strategic points. In this lesson the point is the token of the covenant God made with Abram, but there are other thoughts leading up to and giving occasion for it. SARAI AND HAGAR (Genesis 16:1-6 ) The incident we now approach is not creditable to Abram or his wife, but there is an explanation of it. At least... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 16:1-16

Abram's Domestic Life Genesis 15:0 and Genesis 16:0 I take these two chapters together, as completing one view of Abram's domestic life. It may be well to take notice that, up to this point, everything has gone on in regular order, with the exception of one great and solemn event. We have found just what we might have looked for: the growth of the population, the spreading out of families and tribes into distant places, a little invention, and the beginnings of discovery and progress. There... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 16:12

And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. The Hebrew reads, "a wild-ass man." Unrenewed nature is always thus. Job 11:12 . See this promise concerning Ishmael fulfilled. Genesis 25:18 . The wild Arabs, which are descendants of Ishmael, preserve the same character to this day. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:12

Wild. Hebrew: like a wild ass, not to be tamed or subdued. The Saracens or Arabs, have almost all along maintained their independence. --- Over against, ready to fight, without any dread of any one. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:7-16

7-16 Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to Egypt,... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Genesis 16:1-33

Gen_16:1 Gen_18:33 . Chapter 16 introduces us to the episode in the life of Abram, which has an allegorical significance, as the Apostle Paul shows in Galations 4.0 . Hagar was a bondwoman; she came from Egypt, type of the world; her son was born "after the flesh;" her name is said to mean "Wandering." Law and the flesh and the world and bondage are closely connected all through Scripture, and here first we have them all brought together. In Genesis 12.0 we saw Abram's lapse in going down into... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 16:7-16

The Return of Hagar and the Birth of Ishmael v. 7. And the Angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. The providence of the Lord was watching over this erring child. The great Angel of the Lord, the Son of God as He often appeared in the Old Testament, went out and found her by a spring of water near Shur, on the way to Egypt, her old home. v. 8. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou, and whither wilt thou go? And... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Genesis 16:1-16

FIFTH SECTIONAbram’s Concession to Sarai’s Impatience. Abram and Hagar. Hagar’s Flight. The Angel of the Lord. Hagar’s Return, and Ishmael’s Birth Genesis 16:1-161Now Sarai, Abram’s wife [in the face of the previous promise], bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar [flight, fugitive]. 2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing; I pay thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain [be builded], children by hen... read more

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