Genesis 16:4

Genesis 16:4

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

a. NLT: So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.

b. NIV: He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

c. YLT: and he goeth in unto Hagar, and she conceiveth, and she seeth that she hath conceived, and her mistress is lightly esteemed in her eyes.

d. Amplified Bible: And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress anddespised her.

e. Septuagint: And he went in to Agar, and she conceived, and saw that she was with child, and her mistress was dishonoured before her.

f. Stone Edition Chumash: He consorted with Hagar and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was lowered in her esteem.

1. “And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived…”

a. he went in [935 * bow’] [Strong: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, + besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken (in age), X surely, take (in), way.]

b. unto Hagar [1904 * Hagar] [Strong: of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation; Hagar, the mother of Ishmael:--Hagar.]

c. she conceived [2029 * harah] [Strong: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively):--been, be with child, conceive, progenitor.]

2. “…when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.”

a. she saw [7200 * ra’ah] [Strong: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve, behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X surely, X think, view, visions.]

b. she had conceived [2029 * harah] [Strong: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively):--been, be with child, conceive, progenitor.]

c. her mistress [1404 * gbereth] [Strong: feminine of 1376; mistress:--lady, mistress.]

d. was despised [7043 * qalal] [Strongs: to be causative, make,  light, lit., small or fig., easy, trifling, vile, lightly esteem something or someone.] [Gesenius: to be diminished, to be despised, contemned, to be of little account, to be lightly esteemed, to curse, to consider lightly.]

e. in her eyes [5869 * ‘ayin] [Strong: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, + think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, + displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble, knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please, presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, + think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).]

1). From this phrase we can see that a whole lot of negative emotions were conceived in her as well as her son Ishmael. I am fully persuaded that the beginning of the Arab-Israeli conflict started here. Where did Ishmael get the “mocking” from in Genesis 21:9, if not from Hagar? Where did the “persecution” of Isaac by Ishmael mentioned in Galatians 4:29 come from, if not from Hagar? Surely there was much talk in Abram’s household about the LORD God appearing to Abram and promising his seed dominion of the whole land. It is probable that Hagar knew why this stupid arrangement was going on and when she got pregnant she began to feel superior to Sarai. Hey, it’s going to be MY seed that is to be given this land. These are just some of my thoughts.