Genesis 16:11-12

11 The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael,[a]for the LORD has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward[b] all his brothers.”

Genesis 16:11-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 16

This chapter gives an account of Abram's marrying his maid, at the instance of his wife Sarai, Ge 16:1-3, who, upon conceiving, despised her mistress; of which complaint is made to Abram, who leaving his maid to his wife, to deal with her as she pleased, dealt harshly by her, and therefore fled from her, Ge 16:4-6; when she was met by an angel, who advised her to return and submit herself to her mistress, and told her her seed would be greatly multiplied, gave a name to the child she went with, and described his temper and disposition, Ge 16:7-12; and then we have the name of God that spoke to her, and of the place where the discourse passed between them, Ge 16:13,14; and the chapter is concluded with the birth of Ishmael, and the age of Abram at his birth, Ge 16:15,16.

Cross References 7

  • 1. S ver 7; S Acts 5:19
  • 2. S Genesis 3:15
  • 3. Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 18:19; Nehemiah 9:7; Isaiah 44:1; Amos 3:2; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:13,31
  • 4. Genesis 17:19; Genesis 21:3; Genesis 37:25,28; Genesis 39:1; Judges 8:24
  • 5. Genesis 29:32; Genesis 31:42; Exodus 2:24; Exodus 3:7,9; Exodus 4:31; Numbers 20:16; Deuteronomy 26:7; 1 Samuel 9:16
  • 6. Job 6:5; Job 11:12; Job 24:5; Job 39:5; Psalms 104:11; Jeremiah 2:24; Hosea 8:9
  • 7. Genesis 25:18

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. "Ishmael" means "God hears."
  • [b]. Or "live to the east" / "of"
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.