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Genesis 16:2

Genesis 16:2
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

My Notes

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Baptist theologian, 1697–1771

Gill's Exposition

And Sarai said unto Abram, behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing,.... Or, "hath shut me up" (d); that is, her womb, as were the wombs of the house of Abimelech, Gen 20:18; so that she…

Presbyterian pastor, 1798–1870

Barnes' Notes

Genesis 16:1-16

- The Birth of Ishmael 1. הנר hāgār, Hagar, “flight.” Hejrah, the flight of Muhammed. 7. מלאך mal'ak “messenger, angel.” A deputy commissioned to discharge a certain duty for the principal whom he…

Methodist theologian, 1762–1832

Adam Clarke

Go in unto my maid - It must not be forgotten that female slaves constituted a part of the private patrimony or possessions of a wife, and that she had a right, according to the usages of those times,…

Nonconformist minister, 1662–1714

Matthew Henry

Genesis 16:1-3

We have here the marriage of Abram to Hagar, who was his secondary wife. Herein, though some excuse may be made for him, he cannot be justified, for from the beginning it was not so; and, when it was…

Academic commentary, 1882–1921

Cambridge Bible

it may be that I shall obtain children by her Heb. lit. be builded by her; the same expression occurs in Gen 30:3; the idea is that of the building up of a house (cf. Rth 4:11; Deu 25:9). The…