Genesis 16

Genesis 16 provides an account of Sarai (Abram's wife), her Egyptian servant Hagar, and the birth of Ishmael.

After ten years in Canaan with no children, Sarai suggests that Abram have a child with her servant Hagar, following a common custom of that time. Abram agrees, and Hagar becomes pregnant.

Once pregnant, Hagar begins to look down on Sarai, who then treats Hagar harshly in response. Hagar runs away to the desert, where an angel of the LORD finds her near a spring. The angel tells her to return to Sarai and submit to her authority.

The angel also gives Hagar a promise: She will have many descendants through her son, whom she should name Ishmael ("God hears"), because the LORD has heard her affliction. The angel prophesies that Ishmael will be "a wild man" whose hand will be against everyone — and everyone's hand will be against him.

Hagar returns and gives birth to Ishmael when Abram is 86 years old.