Genesis 16

6. The birth of Ishmael ch. 16

Sarai and Abram tried to obtain the heir God had promised them by resorting to a culturally acceptable custom of their day even though it involved a failure to trust God. This fleshly act created serious complications for Abram and his household that included Hagar fleeing into the wilderness. Nevertheless God proved faithful to His promises and responded to Hagar’s cries for help. He provided for her needs and promised her many descendants through Ishmael since he was Abram’s son.

"The account of Sarah’s plan to have a son has not only been connected with the list of nations in chapter 15, but also appears to have been intentionally shaped with reference to the account of the Fall in Genesis 3. Each of the main verbs (wayyiqtol forms) and key expressions in Genesis 16:2-3 finds a parallel in Genesis 3." [Note: Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., p. 153. See this page for a chart of the parallels.]

Alluding to the Fall suggests the writer’s disapproval of what Sarai did (cf. Genesis 3:17). He continued to focus increasing attention on the problem of an heir. Sarai had borne Abram no children (Genesis 16:1). She therefore suggested a plan to obtain an heir from his own body (Genesis 15:4). It looked as if everything would work out well until a conflict developed between Sarai and Hagar (Genesis 16:4). This conflict grew into a major crisis when Hagar fled the family encampment pregnant with Abram’s unborn child (Genesis 16:6). Yahweh intervened again to resolve the crisis (Genesis 16:7). He instructed Hagar to return to Sarai (Genesis 16:9). Thus Hagar bore Ishmael in Abram’s house, but later God revealed that he would not be the heir.