Hagar and Ishmael

161 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar;

Other Translations of Genesis 16:1

King James Version

Hagar and Ishmael

161 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

English Standard Version

Hagar and Ishmael

161 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar.

The Message

Hagar and Ishmael

161 Sarai, Abram's wife, hadn't yet produced a child.

New King James Version

Hagar and Ishmael

161 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.

New Living Translation

Hagar and Ishmael

161 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 16:1

Commentary on Genesis 16:1-3

(Read Genesis 16:1-3)

Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is doubtful.