Bible Commentary

Genesis 16:8

Genesis 16:8

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid,.... He calls her by her name, which might surprise her, and describes her by her character and condition, in order to check her pride, and put her in mind of her duty to her mistress; and to suggest to her, that she ought to have been not where she was, but in the house of her mistress, and doing her service:whence camest thou?

this question the angel asked, not as ignorant, for he that could call her by her name, and describe her character and state, knew from whence she came; but he said this not only to lead on to what he had further to say to her, but to put her upon considering from whence she came, what she had left behind, and what blessings she had deprived herself of; she had not only left her husband and her mistress, but the house of God; for such Abram's family was, where the worship of God was kept up, and where the Lord granted his presence, and indulged with communion with himself:and whither wilt thou go?

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Genesis 16 — OverviewGenesis 16 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHagar is the person mostly concerned in the story of this chapter, an obscure Egyptian woman, whose name and story we never should have heard of if Providence had not brought her into the family of Abram. Probably…Genesis 16 — OverviewGenesis 16 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeGenesis 16:1, Sarai, being barren, gives Hagar to Abram; Genesis 16:4, Hagar, being afflicted for despising her mistress, runs away; Genesis 16:7, An angel commands her to return and submit herself, promises her a…Genesis 16 — OverviewGenesis 16 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter gives an account of Abram's marrying his maid, at the instance of his wife Sarai, Ge 16:1, who, upon conceiving, despised her mistress; of which complaint is made to Abram, who leaving his maid to his wife,…Genesis 16:1-16Genesis 16:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryHagar. The history of Hagar has its two sides—that which is turned towards God and illustrates Divine grace, that which is turned towards man and illustrates human infirmity and sinfulness. Jehovah brought forth…Genesis 16:7-9Genesis 16:7-9 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere is the first mention we have in scripture of an angel's appearance. Hagar was a type of the law, which was given by the disposition of angels; but the world to come is not put in subjection to them, Heb.…Genesis 16:7-13Genesis 16:7-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryGlimpses of the Godhead. 1. Divine condescension. God visits men as the angel visited Hagar. 2. Divine omniscience. God knows men as the angel knew Hagar. 3. Divine compassion. God pities and comforts men as the…