Genesis – Chapter 16

Old Testament • 16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 16 of Genesis begins: "Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar," The chapter centers on Abraham, Sarah and Hagar. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and suffering and trial. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar,

2She said to her husband: Behold, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: go in unto my handmaid, it may be I may have children of her at least. And when he agreed to her request,

3She took Agar the Egyptian her handmaid, ten years after they first dwelt in the land of Chanaan, and gave her to her husband to wife.

4And he went in to her. But she perceiving that she was with child, despised her mistress.

5And Sarai said to Abram: Thou dost unjustly with me: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom, and she perceiving herself to be with child, despiseth me. The Lord judge between me and thee.

6And Abram made answer, and said to her: Behold thy handmaid is in thy own hand, use her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai afflicted her, she ran away.

7And the angel of the Lord having found her, by a fountain of water in the wilderness, which is in the way to Sur in the desert,

8He said to her: Agar, handmaid of Sarai, whence comest thou? and whither goest thou? And she answered: I flee from the face of Sarai, my mistress.

9And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hand.

10And again he said: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, and it shall not be numbered for multitude.

11And again: Behold, said he, thou art with child, and thou shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Ismael, because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

12He shall be a wild man: his hand will be against all men, and all men's hands against him: and he shall pitch his tents over against all his brethren.

13And she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her: Thou the God who hast seen me. For she said: Verily, here have I seen the hinder parts of him that seeth me.

14Therefore she called that well, the well of him that liveth and seeth me. The same is between Cades and Barad.

15And Agar brought forth a son to Abram: who called his name Ismael.

16Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth Ismael.

Important Verses in Genesis 16

“Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar,”

Genesis 16:1

“And Sarai said to Abram: Thou dost unjustly with me: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom, and she perceiving herself to be with child, despiseth me. The Lord judge between me and thee.”

Genesis 16:5

“And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hand.”

Genesis 16:9

“And she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her: Thou the God who hast seen me. For she said: Verily, here have I seen the hinder parts of him that seeth me.”

Genesis 16:13

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Genesis was written with the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs in view. Chapter 16 of 50 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar," The chapter ends with: "Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth Ismael. " Read against its original backdrop, Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 791).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Suffering, united to Christ, becomes a path of purification and deeper trust in God.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Abraham5 mentionsSarah5 mentionsHagar5 mentionsIshmael3 mentions

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 16 tells the story of Hagar and Ishmael, which Catholic theology interprets with nuance and compassion. While Sarah's plan to obtain children through her servant reflects the customs of the ancient Near East, it also represents a failure to trust fully in God's promise. The Catechism teaches that God's ways often require patient waiting, and human attempts to force His hand lead to complications (CIC 2374).

Yet God's tender care for Hagar reveals His concern for all people, especially the vulnerable and marginalized. The angel's appearance to Hagar at the well makes her the first person in Scripture to receive an angelic visitation. Her response—naming God "El Roi," the God who sees—expresses the profound truth that no one is invisible to God. Catholic social teaching draws on this tradition of God's preferential concern for the poor and outcast.

The promise that Ishmael will become a great nation shows that God's blessing extends beyond the chosen line. Catholic teaching recognizes the dignity of all peoples and engages in respectful dialogue with Muslims, who trace their lineage to Ishmael. This chapter reminds us that even our failures and detours cannot thwart God's purposes, and His mercy extends to all who call upon Him.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 16 about?

Genesis 16 contains 16 verses. It opens with "Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar," and closes with "Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth Ismael. ". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 16?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 16?

This chapter mentions Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Related Chapters

Tobit 6Shares people and themes with this chapterGalatians 4Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Peter 3Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Prayer in Time of Suffering🙏Anima Christi

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