Read Genesis 16:1-16 at Bible Gateway.
The teaching tools of scripture
Gen 1:1-2:3 and the teaching tools of scripture part one and part two
Gen 1:1-6:8 and finding the topic themes of scripture
Hebrew paragraph divisions
Gen 16:1-16 {s} Abram’s faith in the promise tested
Strong themes of the parashah
None this week.
Gen 16:1-16 Chiastic Structure
Download the fully expanded Gen 16:1-16 Triennial Sarai Eshshet chiasm pdf (Coming …).
Theme of the parashah
Abram’s faith in the promise tested
Finding Messiah in Torah
Hagar has an encounter with the Angel of YHVH in the wilderness, who appears to her. This Angel, who is mentioned in many places in the Old Testament, is not an ordinary class of angel, but a pre-incarnate appearance of Messiah Yeshua. When He is addressed as God or named as God, as in this passage, and elsewhere in Scripture, He does not deny it.
And the angel of YHVH found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. … And she called the name of YHVH who spoke unto her, “You are God who sees me,” for she said, “Have I also here looked upon Him who sees me?” Gen 16:7, 13
This is unlike angels elsewhere in Scripture who do deny it.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, “See that you do it not; I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship God, for the testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev 19:10
Hagar marvels that she has physically seen the One who has seen her, and lived (vs. 13). But this is a characteristic attributed to Messiah Yeshua.
No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. Joh 1:18
The message of the Angel of YHVH, then, is not only, God sees me, but God hears me and understands the trials I am going through, by implication.
And the angel of YHVH said unto her, “Behold, you are with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael; because YHVH has heard your affliction.” Gen 16:11
“Ishmael” means, “God will hear.” This empathy is a characteristic of Messiah Yeshua as the express image of God’s person.
Therefore in all things it was necessary for Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help them who are tempted. Heb 2:17-18
Who, being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb 1:3
Additional readings for this Torah portion
Studies in Triennial Sarai Eshshet
Gen 16:2, A living house
Further study off site
Sarah’s Treatment of Hagar – Jewish Bible Quarterly
Theophanies in the Old Testament – Answers in Genesis
John Gill’s Commentary on Genesis 16
The Bible on Ishmael / Islam
SCRIPTURE REVEALED SERIES by CHRISTINE MILLER:
THE LAW of LOVE | FINDING MESSIAH in TORAH | GENESIS in CHIASTIC STRUCTURE
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