The patriarchs · c. 2000-1850 BC
Hagar and Ishmael in the Bible
The servant whom God saw and heard. Name meaning: Hagar: the Bible does not give the meaning; Ishmael: a name given by the angel, “because the LORD hath heard thy affliction” (Gen 16:11)
Sarai’s Egyptian servant, Hagar is given to Abram so that he may have an heir. Despised, then mistreated, she runs away into the wilderness, where the angel of the LORD finds her beside a spring: she gives the LORD the name El-roi and gives birth to Ishmael. Sent away with her son after Isaac’s birth, she is rescued again in the wilderness of Beersheba: “God hath heard the voice of the lad” (Gen 21:17). Paul will make her a picture of the covenant of Sinai (Gal 4:24-25).
Key moments
- Sarai gives her to Abram as a wife Genesis 16:3
- The angel of the LORD finds her by the spring Genesis 16:7
- She names the LORD El-roi Genesis 16:13
- Ishmael is born when Abram is 86 Genesis 16:15–16
- Abraham sends her away with bread and a skin of water Genesis 21:14
- God hears the boy’s voice and opens her eyes Genesis 21:17–19
- Ishmael, father of twelve tribal princes Genesis 25:16
- Paul makes Hagar a picture of the covenant of Sinai Galatians 4:24
Strengths
- A mother’s courage
- Distress seen by God
- Obedience to the angel
- Endurance in the wilderness
Weaknesses
As soon as she is pregnant, Hagar looks at her mistress with contempt, which draws Sarai’s harshness; she then runs away into the wilderness instead of facing the situation (Gen 16:4-6). The angel orders her to go back and submit to Sarai’s authority (Gen 16:9).
Lessons for today
- God sees those whom people despise or send away: he meets Hagar in the wilderness and calls her by name (Gen 16:7-8; 21:17).
- Human shortcuts wound: Sarai and Abram’s plan breeds contempt, harshness, and flight (Gen 16:2-6).
- God hears distress and provides: he opens Hagar’s eyes to a well (Gen 21:17-19).
- The promise passes through Isaac, but God blesses Ishmael too: “I will make him a great nation” (Gen 17:19-20; 21:13).
And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. 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. And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
People around Hagar and Ishmael
- Sarah — Her mistress, who gives her to Abram and then demands her removal
- Abraham — Father of Ishmael, who sends her away with bread and a skin of water
- Isaac — Ishmael’s half brother, the son of the promise
- Ishmael — Her son, an archer and father of twelve tribal princes
- The angel of the LORD — Finds her by the spring, then calls to her from heaven
- Esau — Marries Mahalath, Ishmael’s daughter (Gen 28:9)
Stories with Hagar and Ishmael
Quiz: how well do you know Hagar and Ishmael?
What country was Hagar from?
Sarai “had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.” Later, Hagar would also take an Egyptian wife for her son Ishmael. Genesis 16:1
What name did the angel of the LORD tell Hagar to give her son?
The angel said, “thou shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.” Isaac was Sarah’s son. Genesis 16:11
Who asked Abraham to drive Hagar and her son out?
Sarah told Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” Genesis 21:9–10
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