Gênesis 16

O Nascimento de Ismael

1 Ora, Sarai, mulher de Abrão, não lhe dera nenhum filho. Como tinha uma serva egípcia, chamada Hagar,

2 disse a Abrão: “Já que o SENHOR me impediu de ter filhos, possua a minha serva; talvez eu possa formar família por meio dela”. Abrão atendeu à proposta de Sarai.

3 Quando isso aconteceu, já fazia dez anos que Abrão, seu marido, vivia em Canaã. Foi nessa ocasião que Sarai, sua mulher, lhe entregou sua serva egípcia Hagar.

4 Ele possuiu Hagar, e ela engravidou.Quando se viu grávida, começou a olhar com desprezo para a sua senhora.

5 Então Sarai disse a Abrão: “Caia sobre você a afronta que venho sofrendo. Coloquei minha serva em seus braços e, agora que ela sabe que engravidou, despreza-me. Que o SENHOR seja o juiz entre mim e você”.

6 Respondeu Abrão a Sarai: “Sua serva está em suas mãos. Faça com ela o que achar melhor”. Então Sarai tanto maltratou Hagar que esta acabou fugindo.

7 O Anjo do SENHOR encontrou Hagar perto de uma fonte no deserto, no caminho de Sur,

8 e perguntou-lhe: “Hagar, serva de Sarai, de onde você vem? Para onde vai?”Respondeu ela: “Estou fugindo de Sarai, a minha senhora”.

9 Disse-lhe então o Anjo do SENHOR: “Volte à sua senhora e sujeite-se a ela”.

10 Disse mais o Anjo: “Multiplicarei tanto os seus descendentes que ninguém os poderá contar”.

11 Disse-lhe ainda o Anjo do SENHOR:“Você está grávida e terá um filho,e lhe dará o nome de Ismael,porque o SENHOR a ouviuem seu sofrimento.

12 Ele será como jumento selvagem;sua mão será contra todos,e a mão de todos contra ele,e ele viverá em hostilidade^[a]contra todos os seus irmãos”.

13 Este foi o nome que ela deu ao SENHOR, que lhe havia falado: “Tu és o Deus que me vê”, pois dissera: “Teria eu visto Aquele que me vê?”

14 Por isso o poço, que fica entre Cades e Berede, foi chamado Beer-Laai-Roi.^[b]

15 Hagar teve um filho de Abrão, e este lhe deu o nome de Ismael.

16 Abrão estava com oitenta e seis anos de idade quando Hagar lhe deu Ismael.

Gênesis 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Sarai gives Hagar to Abram. (1-3) Hagar's misbehaviour to Sarai. (4-6) The Angel commands Hagar to return, The promise to her Birth of Ishmael. (7-16)

Verses 1-3 Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is doubtful.

Verses 4-6 Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon made a great deal of mischief. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow us, when we go out of the way of our duty. See it in this case, Passionate people often quarrel with others, for things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon thee. That is never said wisely, which pride and anger put into our mouths. Those are not always in the right, who are most loud and forward in appealing to God: such rash and bold imprecations commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation, by despising her mistress. Those that suffer for their faults, ought to bear it ( 1 Peter. 2:20 )

Verses 7-16 Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we are, would often teach us our duty. Inquiring whence we came, would show us our sin and folly. Considering whither we shall go, discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their space and duty, must hasten their return, how mortifying soever it be. The declaration of the Angel, "I will," shows this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God. Hagar could not but admire the Lord's mercy, and feel, Have I, who am so unworthy, been favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord? She was brought to a better temper, returned, and by her behaviour softened Sarai, and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!

Footnotes

• [a]. Ou "defronte de todos"
• [b]. Isto é, poço daquele que vive e me vê.

Chapter Summary

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.