1
וְשָׂרַי֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת אַבְרָ֔ם לֹ֥א יָלְדָ֖ה ל֑וֹ וְלָ֛הּ שִׁפְחָ֥ה מִצְרִ֖ית וּשְׁמָ֥הּ הָגָֽר
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְשָׂרַי֙and Saraiconj וְ + proper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Subject (conj introduces new episode)שָׂרַי (H8297), early form of Sarah; Abram's wife, whose barrenness frames the entire chapter.
אֵ֣שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive in construct (identifying Sarai)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct with Abram defines Sarai's household status.
אַבְרָ֔םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Genitive of אֵשֶׁת (construct chain)אַבְרָם (H87), 'exalted father'; the patriarch whose household this narrative concerns.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of predicate verbלֹא (H3808), standard indicative negation; negates the bearing verb, establishing the foundational problem.
יָלְדָ֖הhad borneQal perf 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (stative main clause)→ Perfective: completed and persistent state — she had never borneיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; Qal 3fs perfect; Sarai's barrenness presented as an accomplished, ongoing fact.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object (dative, Abram as beneficiary)לְ with 3ms suffix; marks Abram as the one to whom children have not been born.
וְלָ֛הּbut to herconj וְ + prep לְ + 3fs suffixContrastive clause introducer (adversative waw + dative)Contrastive waw with dative pronoun shifts focus from Abram's lack to Sarai's possession of a slave.
שִׁפְחָ֥הmaidservantN f sg abs · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Subject of verbless clauseשִׁפְחָה (H8198) 'female slave, maidservant'; a lower-status household woman belonging to Sarai.
מִצְרִ֖יתEgyptiangentilic adj f sg abs · מִצְרִית (H4713)Attributive adjective modifying שִׁפְחָהמִצְרִית (H4713), Egyptian woman; Hagar's ethnic identity links her to Egypt, the prior narrative setting.
וּשְׁמָ֥הּand her nameconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of appended verbless clause (name introduction)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; with 3fs suffix introduces Hagar's identity by name, making her a person not merely a possession.
הָגָֽרHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Predicate of verbless clause (name identification)הָגָר (H1904), Hagar; Egyptian slave of Sarai; central figure of this chapter; name possibly related to Arabic 'sojourner/emigrant.'
2
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר שָׂרַ֜י אֶל אַבְרָ֗ם הִנֵּה נָ֞א עֲצָרַ֤נִי יְהוָה֙ מִלֶּ֔דֶת בֹּא נָא֙ אֶל שִׁפְחָתִ֔י אוּלַ֥י אִבָּנֶ֖ה מִמֶּ֑נָּה וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע אַבְרָ֖ם לְק֥וֹל שָׂרָֽי
So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, Yahweh has restrained me from bearing children. Please go in to my maidservant; perhaps I shall be built up through her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַתֹּ֨אמֶרand she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; wayyiqtol introduces Sarai's direct speech interpreting her barrenness.
שָׂרַ֜יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Subject of וַתֹּאמֶרשָׂרַי (H8297); subject speaking her theological interpretation of prolonged infertility.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (addressee marker)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Abram as the addressee of Sarai's proposal.
אַבְרָ֗םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Object of prep אֶל (addressee)אַבְרָם (H87); recipient of Sarai's proposal and complaint.
הִנֵּהlookpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention particle introducing the pronouncementהִנֵּה (H2009), 'behold, look'; draws attention to what follows, here a complaint rather than a joyful declaration.
נָ֞אnowentreaty particle · נָא (H4994)Particle of urgency modifying the clauseנָא (H4994), particle of entreaty or urgency; here intensifies the statement rather than softening a request.
עֲצָרַ֤נִיhas restrained meQal perf 3ms + 1cs suffix · עָצַר (H6113)Predicate verb (divine-agent clause)→ Perfective: YHWH's restraint is the accomplished, persistent stateעָצַר (H6113) 'to restrain, hold back, shut up'; Qal 3ms with 1cs obj suffix; Sarai interprets her barrenness as YHWH's direct action.
יְהוָה֙Yahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עֲצָרַנִייְהוָה (H3068), the divine personal name; Sarai frames her infertility theologically as YHWH's act, not merely biological fate.
מִלֶּ֔דֶתfrom bearingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · יָלַד (H3205)Prepositional phrase of separation (what YHWH withheld)→ Infinitive: the withheld action namedיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; inf constr with מִן specifies the action from which Sarai is restrained.
בֹּאgo inQal impv 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Imperative (Sarai's direct command / proposal)→ Volitional: commanding Abram to act on the surrogate proposalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; impv as surrogate proposal — 'go in to' is a Hebrew idiom for sexual union.
נָא֙pleaseentreaty particle · נָא (H4994)Politeness particle softening the imperativeנָא (H4994); transforms the command into a polite request.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (recipient of בֹּא)אֶל (H413); with בּוֹא marks the woman to whom Abram is directed.
שִׁפְחָתִ֔יmy maidservantN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Object of prep אֶלשִׁפְחָה (H8198) with 1cs suffix; Sarai frames Hagar as her property over whom she exercises authority.
אוּלַ֥יperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Adverb of contingency hedging the following yiqtolאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps, maybe'; signals uncertainty and hope, not certainty of outcome.
אִבָּנֶ֖הI shall be built upNiphal impf 1cs · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate of contingent clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — hoped-for future outcomeבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; Niphal 'be built up through her' — a Hebrew idiom for gaining lineage through a surrogate; lit. 'be built as a household.'
מִמֶּ֑נָּהthrough herprep מִן + 3fs suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of agency (means)מִן (H4480) 'from, through, by'; with 3fs suffix pointing to Hagar as the means of Sarai's hoped-for household building.
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥עand he listenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Abram's compliance)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; Abram's compliance is understated; the formula 'listened to the voice of' echoes the idiom of Gen 3:17.
אַבְרָ֖םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעאַבְרָם (H87); his full compliance is noted without editorial comment.
לְק֥וֹלto the voice ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Prepositional phrase (object of שָׁמַע idiom)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; שָׁמַע לְקוֹל is a formulaic idiom for compliance and obedience to another's directive.
שָׂרָֽיSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Genitive in construct with קוֹלשָׂרַי (H8297); named explicitly so that Abram's compliance is clearly attributed to her voice and initiative.
3
וַתִּקַּ֞ח שָׂרַ֣י אֵֽשֶׁת אַבְרָ֗ם אֶת הָגָ֤ר הַמִּצְרִית֙ שִׁפְחָתָ֔הּ מִקֵּץ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר שָׁנִ֔ים לְשֶׁ֥בֶת אַבְרָ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַתִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛הּ לְאַבְרָ֥ם אִישָׁ֖הּ ל֥וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה
Then Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her maidservant, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife for him.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַתִּקַּ֞חand she tookQal wayyiqtol 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; Sarai acts as the initiating agent; the verb frames the entire surrogate arrangement as her initiative.
שָׂרַ֣יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Subject of וַתִּקַּחשָׂרַי (H8297); Sarai as agent, carrying out what she proposed in v2.
אֵֽשֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive in construct (reaffirming Sarai's status)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct with Abram reanchors Sarai's wifely status even as she directs the surrogate arrangement.
אַבְרָ֗םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Genitive of אֵשֶׁת (construct chain)אַבְרָם (H87); his name restates the legal context under which Sarai acts.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking Hagar as definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Hagar as the definite direct object of Sarai's taking.
הָגָ֤רHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Direct object of וַתִּקַּחהָגָר (H1904); Hagar is the object acted upon; her own will is not mentioned in the narrative.
הַמִּצְרִית֙the Egyptianart + gentilic adj f sg abs · מִצְרִית (H4713)Attributive adjective modifying הָגָרמִצְרִית (H4713), Egyptian woman; ethnic marker repeated from v1, foregrounding Hagar's foreign origin.
שִׁפְחָתָ֔הּher maidservantN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Appositive of הָגָר (status identification)שִׁפְחָה (H8198) with 3fs suffix; marks Hagar as belonging to Sarai, emphasizing the power differential.
מִקֵּץ֙at the end ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֵץ (H7093)Temporal prepositional phraseקֵץ (H7093) 'end, limit, boundary'; מִקֵּץ marks a temporal boundary — at the end of ten years.
עֶ֣שֶׂרtennumeral f sg abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Numeral in construct chain with שָׁנִיםעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; specifying the ten-year period of Abram's sojourn without fulfillment of the seed promise.
שָׁנִ֔יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Noun of temporal duration (head of מִקֵּץ phrase)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; ten years in Canaan without the promised heir — the temporal pressure behind Sarai's initiative.
לְשֶׁ֥בֶתof dwellingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Temporal infinitive phrase (specifying the ten-year period)→ Infinitive: the continuous action of dwelling during which the wait occurredיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; inf constr with לְ marks the period of residence in Canaan.
אַבְרָ֖םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of inf constr לְשֶׁבֶתאַבְרָם (H87); subject of the dwelling; ten years of his sojourn constitute the temporal frame of the surrogate arrangement.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth, territory'; the promised land where Abram has been sojourning for ten years.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)כְּנַעַן (H3667), Canaan; the land of promise and the scene of Abram's prolonged wait.
וַתִּתֵּ֥ןand she gaveQal wayyiqtol 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second main action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; Sarai formally gives Hagar to Abram as a secondary wife — a legally recognized act.
אֹתָ֛הּherobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַתִּתֵּן (Hagar)אֵת (H853) with 3fs pronominal suffix; Hagar is the definite direct object given by Sarai.
לְאַבְרָ֥םto Abramprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Indirect object (recipient of Hagar)אַבְרָם (H87); Abram receives Hagar from Sarai's hand as a secondary wife.
אִישָׁ֖הּher husbandN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אִישׁ (H376)Appositive identifying Abram (husband of the giver)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; with 3fs suffix identifies Abram as Sarai's husband, placing the act within the framework of the marriage.
ל֥וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative clarifying beneficiaryלְ with 3ms suffix; Abram is specified as the direct recipient and beneficiary of Hagar.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement of status (as wife)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; לְ + status noun designates the role in which Hagar is given — as secondary wife, not merely concubine.
4
וַיָּבֹ֥א אֶל הָגָ֖ר וַתַּ֑הַר וַתֵּ֨רֶא֙ כִּ֣י הָרָ֔תָה וַתֵּקַ֥ל גְּבִרְתָּ֖הּ בְּעֵינֶֽיהָ
And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became slight in her eyes.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיָּבֹ֥אand he went inQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; wayyiqtol of sexual union — Abram acts on Sarai's proposal.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (partner of בּוֹא idiom)אֶל (H413); with בּוֹא marks the woman to whom entry is made — a standard idiom for sexual union.
הָגָ֖רHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Object of prep אֶלהָגָר (H1904); Hagar is the one to whom Abram goes in.
וַתַּ֑הַרand she conceivedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (immediate result)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive, become pregnant'; the immediate consequence of the union, confirming Hagar's fertility against Sarai's infertility.
וַתֵּ֨רֶא֙and she sawQal wayyiqtol 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Hagar's perception)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; introduces Hagar's realization and the attitude shift that follows.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing indirect perception clauseכִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; here a complementizer after רָאָה, introducing the content of what Hagar perceived.
הָרָ֔תָהshe had conceivedQal perf 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Predicate of כִּי clause (content of perception)→ Perfective: the conceived state is now establishedהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; Qal perf 3fs confirming the accomplished pregnancy Hagar perceives.
וַתֵּקַ֥לand she despisedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קָלַל (H7043)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (consequence of Hagar's perception)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָלַל (H7043) 'to be light, contemptible; to curse'; Qal 'to treat as light/contemptible'; Hagar's new attitude toward Sarai is the narrative crisis.
גְּבִרְתָּ֖הּher mistressN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · גְּבִרֶת (H1404)Subject of וַתֵּקַל (the one held in contempt)גְּבִרֶת (H1404) 'mistress, lady'; the female counterpart of גֶּבֶר; Sarai as Hagar's social superior, now despised in Hagar's eyes.
בְּעֵינֶֽיהָin her eyesprep בְּ + N dual constr + 3fs suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (sphere of contempt)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; בְּעֵינֵי is an idiom for subjective assessment or regard — 'in the eyes of' means 'in the estimation of.'
5
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר שָׂרַ֣י אֶל אַבְרָם֮ חֲמָסִ֣י עָלֶיךָ֒ אָנֹכִ֗י נָתַ֤תִּי שִׁפְחָתִי֙ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וַתֵּ֨רֶא֙ כִּ֣י הָרָ֔תָה וָאֵקַ֖ל בְּעֵינֶ֑יהָ יִשְׁפֹּ֥ט יְהוָ֖ה בֵּינִ֥י וּבֵינֶֽיׄךָ
Then Sarai said to Abram, 'My wrong be upon you! I myself gave my servant-girl into your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, I became slight in her eyes. May Yahweh judge between me and you.'
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַתֹּ֨אמֶרand she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Sarai's emotionally charged accusation against Abram.
שָׂרַ֣יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Subject of וַתֹּאמֶרשָׂרַי (H8297); Sarai is now aggrieved, turning accusation against the husband who complied with her own plan.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (addressee marker)אֶל (H413); marks Abram as the addressee of Sarai's complaint.
אַבְרָם֮Abramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Object of prep אֶל (addressee)אַבְרָם (H87); recipient of Sarai's accusation.
חֲמָסִ֣יmy wrongN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · חָמָס (H2555)Predicate of verbless exclamatory clause (subject of charge)חָמָס (H2555) 'violence, wrong, injustice'; with 1cs suffix Sarai declares her injury — 'the violence done to me.' A strong legal term.
עָלֶיךָ֒upon youprep עַל + 2ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Predicate prepositional phrase (charge placed on Abram)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; חֲמָסִי עָלֶיךָ is a legal-sounding declaration placing responsibility for the wrong on Abram.
אָנֹכִ֗יI myselfindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject of the next verbאָנֹכִי (H595), 'I'; emphatic independent pronoun fronted for stress — Sarai underscores that she herself gave Hagar.
נָתַ֤תִּיgaveQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (Sarai's self-incriminating admission)→ Perfective: a completed act she now regretsנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Qal 1cs perfect; Sarai acknowledges the irony — she is the one who arranged this.
שִׁפְחָתִי֙my maidservantN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Direct object of נָתַתִּישִׁפְחָה (H8198) with 1cs suffix; Sarai refers to Hagar as her possession — underscoring her authority to have given her.
בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָinto your embraceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · חֵיק (H2436)Locative prepositional phrase (destination of gift)חֵיק (H2436) 'bosom, embrace, lap'; a term of intimacy; giving Hagar into Abram's embrace means giving her as a sexual partner.
וַתֵּ֨רֶא֙and when she sawQal wayyiqtol 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol introducing subordinate circumstantial clause→ Wayyiqtol: sequencing the narrative accountרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; repeated from v4 — now Sarai recounts Hagar's perception as the cause of her grievance.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing content of רָאָהכִּי (H3588); complementizer after רָאָה, introducing what Hagar perceived.
הָרָ֔תָהshe had conceivedQal perf 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Predicate of כִּי clause→ Perfective: accomplished pregnancyהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; the accomplished fact that triggered Hagar's new attitude.
וָאֵקַ֖לand I became despisedQal wayyiqtol 1cs · קָלַל (H7043)Wayyiqtol of result (Sarai's experience of being contemned)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded consequence in Sarai's accountקָלַל (H7043) 'to be light, be despised'; now from Sarai's perspective — she is the one held in contempt.
בְּעֵינֶ֑יהָin her eyesprep בְּ + N dual constr + 3fs suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (sphere of contempt)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; בְּעֵינֵי idiom for subjective regard; the contempt is in Hagar's own estimation.
יִשְׁפֹּ֥טmay he judgeQal jussive 3ms · שָׁפַט (H8199)Jussive (Sarai's appeal for divine adjudication)→ Volitional: jussive expressing Sarai's wish/appealשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge, render judgment'; jussive calling YHWH to adjudicate the conflict; Sarai invokes divine justice against Abram.
יְהוָ֖הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of jussive יִשְׁפֹּטיְהוָה (H3068); invoked as the divine judge between the two parties in the household dispute.
בֵּינִ֥יbetween meprep בֵּין + 1cs suffix · בֵּין (H996)First term of the between-phrase (Sarai's side)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; with 1cs suffix — the first party in Sarai's appeal for divine arbitration.
וּבֵינֶֽיׄךָand between youconj וְ + prep בֵּין + 2ms suffix · בֵּין (H996)Second term of the between-phrase (Abram's side)בֵּין (H996) with conj וְ and 2ms suffix; completes the judicial formula — YHWH is called to judge between the two parties.
6
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָ֜ם אֶל שָׂרַ֗י הִנֵּ֤ה שִׁפְחָתֵךְ֙ בְּיָדֵ֔ךְ עֲשִׂי לָ֖הּ הַטּ֣וֹב בְּעֵינָ֑יִךְ וַתְּעַנֶּ֣הָ שָׂרַ֔י וַתִּבְרַ֖ח מִפָּנֶֽיהָ
And Abram said to Sarai, 'Look, your servant-girl is in your hand; do to her what is good in your eyes.' Then Sarai afflicted her, and she fled from her presence.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Abram's brief, non-committal reply to Sarai's complaint.
אַבְרָ֜םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראַבְרָם (H87); Abram speaks, but his response is a deferral rather than a resolution.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (addressee marker)אֶל (H413); marks Sarai as the addressee of Abram's reply.
שָׂרַ֗יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Object of prep אֶל (addressee)שָׂרַי (H8297); addressed directly; Abram returns authority over Hagar to her.
הִנֵּ֤הlookpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention particle introducing Abram's statementהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws attention to the following assertion about Hagar's status.
שִׁפְחָתֵךְ֙your maidservantN f sg constr + 2fs suffix · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Subject of verbless clauseשִׁפְחָה (H8198) with 2fs suffix; Abram deliberately calls Hagar 'your maidservant,' restoring Sarai's legal authority over her.
בְּיָדֵ֔ךְin your handprep בְּ + N sg constr + 2fs suffix · יָד (H3027)Predicate of verbless clause (asserting Sarai's power)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיָדֵךְ idiom for 'in your power/authority'; Abram returns Hagar to Sarai's legal control.
עֲשִׂיdoQal impv 2fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Imperative (Abram authorizing Sarai to act)→ Volitional: command granting Sarai full authorityעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, act'; impv 2fs giving Sarai license to handle Hagar as she sees fit.
לָ֖הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffixIndirect object (Hagar as recipient of Sarai's action)לְ with 3fs suffix; directs Sarai's action toward Hagar.
הַטּ֣וֹבthe goodart + adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Direct object of עֲשִׂי (substantivized adjective)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, pleasant, right'; with article, substantivized — 'what is good in your eyes'; Abram completely abdicates judgment to Sarai.
בְּעֵינָ֑יִךְin your eyesprep בְּ + N dual constr + 2fs suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Locative prepositional phrase (Sarai's subjective standard)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; בְּעֵינַיִךְ idiom for personal assessment — Abram leaves the decision entirely to Sarai's judgment.
וַתְּעַנֶּ֣הָand she afflicted herPiel wayyiqtol 3fs + 3fs suffix · עָנָה (H6031)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Sarai's action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָנָה (H6031) 'to afflict, humiliate, oppress'; Piel intensive — Sarai's treatment is harsh affliction, not mere firmness; this same verb recurs in v9's divine command to Hagar.
שָׂרַ֔יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Subject of וַתְּעַנֶּהָשָׂרַי (H8297); Sarai acts with severity once given authority; the affliction is her use of the power Abram restored.
וַתִּבְרַ֖חand she fledQal wayyiqtol 3fs · בָּרַח (H1272)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Hagar's response)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַח (H1272) 'to flee, escape'; Hagar's flight moves the story from domestic space to wilderness, setting up the divine encounter.
מִפָּנֶֽיהָfrom her presenceprep מִן + N pl constr + 3fs suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of source (from Sarai)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מִפְּנֵי 'from before, from the presence of'; Hagar flees not merely away from Sarai but from her authoritative presence.
7
וַֽיִּמְצָאָ֞הּ מַלְאַ֧ךְ יְהוָ֛ה עַל עֵ֥ין הַמַּ֖יִם בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר עַל הָעַ֖יִן בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ שֽׁוּר
And the angel of Yahweh found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַֽיִּמְצָאָ֞הּand he found herQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suffix · מָצָא (H4672)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (divine finding)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, encounter'; the angel's finding of Hagar in the wilderness is the narrative's theological pivot — the fugitive is not beyond divine sight.
מַלְאַ֧ךְthe messenger ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of וַיִּמְצָאָהּ (in construct with יְהוָה)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; constr with יְהוָה — the מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה is the messenger who speaks with divine authority; whether identified with YHWH or distinct is a classic exegetical crux.
יְהוָ֛הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of מַלְאַךְ (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068); the divine name identifies the messenger's sender and authority; the messenger later speaks in the first person as YHWH (v10).
עַלbyprep · עַל (H5921)Locative preposition (position beside the spring)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, by'; here spatial — 'by the spring of water.'
עֵ֥יןspring ofN dual/sg constr · עַיִן (H5869)Object of prep עַל (locating Hagar)עַיִן (H5869) can mean 'eye' or 'spring/fountain'; here 'spring,' a life-giving water source in the wilderness, where Hagar is found.
הַמַּ֖יִםthe waterart + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive of עֵין (construct chain)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; with article specifies the spring as 'the spring of the water' — a known or specific source on the route to Shur.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase (broader setting)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert, pastureland'; the liminal space between Egypt and Canaan, where divine encounter often occurs in Hebrew narrative.
עַלbyprep · עַל (H5921)Locative preposition (second locating phrase)עַל (H5921); second occurrence, specifying further that it is by the particular spring on the road to Shur.
הָעַ֖יִןthe springart + N f sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Object of second עַל (specific spring)עַיִן (H5869) 'spring'; with the article, repeated to reinforce the specific location; the double reference anchors the geography for the well-name in v14.
בְּדֶ֥רֶךְon the road toprep בְּ + N m sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phrase (route identification)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; in construct with Shur, identifies the specific route — the road toward Egypt, confirming Hagar's intended direction.
שֽׁוּרShurproper noun · שׁוּר (H7793)Genitive of דֶּרֶךְ (construct chain)שׁוּר (H7793), Shur; a desert region on the northeastern border of Egypt; Hagar is heading back to her homeland.
8
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר הָגָ֞ר שִׁפְחַ֥ת שָׂרַ֛י אֵֽי מִזֶּ֥ה בָ֖את וְאָ֣נָה תֵלֵ֑כִי וַתֹּ֕אמֶר מִפְּנֵי֙ שָׂרַ֣י גְּבִרְתִּ֔י אָנֹכִ֖י בֹּרַֽחַת
And he said, 'Hagar, servant-girl of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?' And she said, 'I am fleeing from the presence of Sarai my mistress.'
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּאמַ֗רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the messenger initiates the dialogue by addressing Hagar with her identity.
הָגָ֞רHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Vocative (direct address)הָגָר (H1904); addressed by name — the messenger knows who she is, underlining that she is within the divine purview.
שִׁפְחַ֥תmaidservant ofN f sg constr · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Appositive in construct (defining Hagar's status)שִׁפְחָה (H8198) 'maidservant'; the messenger identifies Hagar by her social role, not granting her independence from her household status.
שָׂרַ֛יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Genitive of שִׁפְחַת (construct chain)שָׂרַי (H8297); Hagar is identified specifically as Sarai's maidservant — the address frames her within her social relation, which is the context of the command to return.
אֵֽיwhereinterrogative particle · אֵי (H335)Interrogative adverb introducing first questionאֵי (H335) 'where?'; introduces the question about Hagar's origin; the messenger's question is pastoral, opening dialogue rather than accusatory.
מִזֶּ֥הfrom whereprep מִן + demonstrative pronoun ms · זֶה (H2088)Prepositional phrase (source of origin — whence)מִזֶּה (H2088) 'from this/here, from where'; idiomatic directional question about point of departure.
בָ֖אתhave you comeQal perf 2fs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of first question→ Perfective: the completed journey thus farבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; Qal 2fs perf — 'from where have you come?'; the angel asks about her past movement.
וְאָ֣נָהand whereconj וְ + interrogative adverb · אָנָה (H575)Conjunction + interrogative adverb (second question)אָנָה (H575) 'where, whither?'; directional interrogative of destination; the paired questions cover past and future.
תֵלֵ֑כִיare you goingQal impf 2fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of second question→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing or intended future movementהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Qal impf 2fs — 'where are you going?'; asks about her intended destination, which is presumably Egypt.
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרand she saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Hagar's reply)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Hagar answers the first question only — revealing the reason for flight but not naming a destination.
מִפְּנֵי֙from the presence ofprep מִן + N pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of source (explaining flight)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מִפְּנֵי 'from before, from the presence of'; Hagar answers: she is fleeing from Sarai's authoritative presence.
שָׂרַ֣יSaraiproper noun · שָׂרַי (H8297)Genitive of מִפְּנֵי (construct)שָׂרַי (H8297); the source of Hagar's flight; Hagar names her mistress without apparent resentment or accusation, only statement.
גְּבִרְתִּ֔יmy mistressN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · גְּבִרֶת (H1404)Appositive of שָׂרַי (identifying Sarai's status over Hagar)גְּבִרֶת (H1404) 'mistress, lady'; with 1cs suffix — 'my mistress'; Hagar uses the same term the narrator used in v4, acknowledging Sarai's authority.
אָנֹכִ֖יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of predicate nominative clauseאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic pronoun — Hagar identifies herself as the one who is fleeing.
בֹּרַֽחַתam fleeingQal ptc f sg abs · בָּרַח (H1272)Predicate (participial clause indicating ongoing action)→ Participle: continuous or ongoing flightבָּרַח (H1272) 'to flee'; Qal active ptc f sg abs used predicatively — 'I am one fleeing'; participle describes her present state of escape.
9
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה שׁ֖וּבִי אֶל גְּבִרְתֵּ֑ךְ וְהִתְעַנִּ֖י תַּ֥חַת יָדֶֽיהָ
And the angel of Yahweh said to her, 'Return to your mistress and submit yourself under her hand.'
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the messenger now delivers the divine command to return.
לָהּ֙to herprep לְ + 3fs suffixIndirect object (addressee of the speech)לְ with 3fs suffix; marks Hagar as the one addressed by the command.
מַלְאַ֣ךְthe messenger ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר (in construct)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; the same figure who found her; the command to return is the divine word spoken into her affliction.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of מַלְאַךְ (construct)יְהוָה (H3068); the messenger speaks in YHWH's name and authority; the command to return is inseparable from the promise that follows.
שׁ֖וּבִיreturnQal impv 2fs · שׁוּב (H7725)Imperative (divine command)→ Volitional: commanding return without softeningשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; Qal impv 2fs — the divine command to return to the very household of affliction; paired with the following command and the promise of vv10-12.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (destination of return)אֶל (H413); marks the mistress as the destination of return.
גְּבִרְתֵּ֑ךְyour mistressN f sg constr + 2fs suffix · גְּבִרֶת (H1404)Object of prep אֶל (the one to whom Hagar must return)גְּבִרֶת (H1404) 'mistress, lady'; with 2fs suffix — 'your mistress'; the command does not exempt Hagar from her social status or from Sarai's household authority.
וְהִתְעַנִּ֖יand submit yourselfHitpael impv 2fs · עָנָה (H6031)Wayyiqtol-equivalent weqatal imperative (second command)→ Volitional: commanding reflexive submissionעָנָה (H6031) 'to afflict, humble, oppress'; Hitpael reflexive — 'humble/submit yourself'; the same root as Sarai's affliction of Hagar (v6) now appears in the divine command for Hagar to accept the position.
תַּ֥חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative preposition (position of submission)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath, instead of'; spatial-hierarchical — 'under her hand' means under her authority.
יָדֶֽיהָher handN dual constr + 3fs suffix · יָד (H3027)Object of prep תַּחַת (authority under which Hagar must submit)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; יַד as synecdoche for power and authority; תַּחַת יָד = 'under the hand/authority of'; Hagar is commanded to submit to the very power that afflicted her.
10
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה הַרְבָּ֥ה אַרְבֶּ֖ה אֶת זַרְעֵ֑ךְ וְלֹ֥א יִסָּפֵ֖ר מֵרֹֽב
And the angel of Yahweh said to her, 'I will greatly multiply your offspring, so that it shall not be counted for multitude.'
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens the second angelic speech with the promise.
לָהּ֙to herprep לְ + 3fs suffixIndirect object (addressee)לְ with 3fs suffix; Hagar is addressed again, this time with promise rather than command.
מַלְאַ֣ךְthe messenger ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר (in construct)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; the same messenger now speaks promise — command and promise are paired divine words.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of מַלְאַךְ (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068); the promise of multiplied seed is spoken in YHWH's name — it echoes the Abrahamic promises but is given to a slave woman in the wilderness.
הַרְבָּ֥הgreatlyHiphil inf abs · רָבָה (H7235)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the following finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic intensification of the verbרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, multiply'; Hiphil inf abs before the impf 1cs creates an emphatic hendiadys — 'I will greatly multiply'; a formula used of the Abrahamic promises.
אַרְבֶּ֖הI will multiplyHiphil impf 1cs · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (divine promise, first person)→ Yiqtol: imperfective expressing divine commitment to future actionרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, increase'; Hiphil 'to cause to multiply'; the finite verb paired with inf abs — the messenger speaks in the first person as YHWH, promising Hagar seed equivalent to a patriarch.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking זַרְעֵךְ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks זַרְעֵךְ as the definite direct object of the multiplication promise.
זַרְעֵ֑ךְyour offspringN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of אַרְבֶּהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; with 2fs suffix addressed to Hagar; the same term used of Abrahamic promises — Hagar's offspring receives a comparable blessing.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Conjunction + negation (introducing result clause)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; with conjunctive waw, the negative introduces the scope of the multiplication: it will be uncountable.
יִסָּפֵ֖רshall be countedNiphal impf 3ms · סָפַר (H5608)Predicate of result clause (denoting uncountable multitude)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing impossibility of countingסָפַר (H5608) 'to count, number'; Niphal passive 'be numbered'; the negated Niphal expresses innumerability — a standard formula for the Abrahamic promises (Gen 13:16; 15:5).
מֵרֹֽבbecause of multitudeprep מִן + N m sg abs · רֹב (H7230)Prepositional phrase of cause (reason counting fails)רֹב (H7230) 'multitude, abundance'; מֵרֹב 'because of multitude, too many to count'; this phrase anchors the promise in the language of innumerability used throughout the Abraham cycle.
11
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה הִנָּ֥ךְ הָרָ֖ה וְיֹלַ֣דְתְּ בֵּ֑ן וְקָרָ֤את שְׁמוֹ֙ יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל כִּֽי שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה אֶל עָנְיֵֽךְ
And the angel of Yahweh said to her, 'Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard your affliction.'
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; third angelic speech, now the formal birth oracle.
לָהּ֙to herprep לְ + 3fs suffixIndirect object (addressee)לְ with 3fs suffix; Hagar addressed for the birth-oracle proper.
מַלְאַ֣ךְthe messenger ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר (in construct)מַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger'; the messenger delivers the formal name-oracle characteristic of Hebrew birth announcements.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of מַלְאַךְיְהוָה (H3068); the birth oracle is delivered in YHWH's name, lending it the weight of divine pronouncement.
הִנָּ֥ךְbehold youpresentative particle + 2fs suffix · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention particle opening birth oracleהִנֵּה (H2009) with 2fs suffix 'behold you'; the hinne + pronoun construction opens the formal birth announcement — 'Look, you are...'
הָרָ֖הpregnantadj f sg abs · הָרָה (H2030)Predicate of hinne clause (current state)הָרָה (H2030) 'pregnant'; an adjective (not verb) confirming Hagar's existing pregnancy as the basis for the oracle that follows.
וְיֹלַ֣דְתְּand you will bearQal ptc f sg abs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicative participle (future birth as part of oracle)→ Participle: imminent or certain future actionיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; Qal ptc f sg abs used predicatively for near-future certainty — 'you are about to bear.'
בֵּ֑ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of יֹלַדְתְּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the oracle specifies a son, necessary for the naming and destiny announcement that follows.
וְקָרָ֤אתand you shall callQal weqatal 2fs · קָרָא (H7121)Weqatal of sequential command (naming instruction)→ Perfective with consecutive waw: directive for action following birthקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; weqatal 2fs — the naming instruction given to Hagar, making her the one who names the child, a significant role.
שְׁמוֹ֙his nameN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of קָרָאת (the name to be given)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; with 3ms suffix — 'his name'; the naming formula introduces the divinely specified name.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אלIshmaelproper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Predicate of naming (the name assigned)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458), 'God hears'; Hebrew theophoric name from שָׁמַע 'to hear' + אֵל 'God'; the name embeds the theological interpretation of Hagar's affliction.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (naming motivation)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the reason for the name Ishmael — YHWH has heard.
שָׁמַ֥עhas heardQal perf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate of causal clause→ Perfective: completed act of divine hearingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; Qal 3ms perfect — YHWH's hearing of Hagar's affliction is the accomplished ground for the name and promise.
יְהוָ֖הYahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of שָׁמַעיְהוָה (H3068); the divine subject who hears; the name Ishmael thus encodes this moment in the Abrahamic narrative as a moment of divine attentiveness to the marginalized.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (marking object of hearing)אֶל (H413); שָׁמַע אֶל 'to hear toward/concerning'; marks the affliction as what YHWH attended to.
עָנְיֵֽךְyour afflictionN m sg constr + 2fs suffix · עֳנִי (H6040)Object of prep אֶל (what YHWH heard)עֳנִי (H6040) 'affliction, suffering, misery'; from עָנָה the same root used for Sarai's afflicting (v6) and the Hitpael command to Hagar (v9); the name Ishmael interprets Hagar's affliction as heard by God.
12
וְה֤וּא יִהְיֶה֙ פֶּ֣רֶא אָדָ֔ם יָד֣וֹ בַכֹּ֔ל וְיַ֥ד כֹּ֖ל בּ֑וֹ וְעַל פְּנֵ֥י כָל אֶחָ֖יו יִשְׁכֹּֽן
And he shall be a wild-donkey of a man: his hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the face of all his brothers.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְה֤וּאand heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (pronoun fronted for emphasis, introducing destiny oracle)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; emphatic pronoun fronted at clause beginning to mark the shift from birth announcement to character-destiny oracle; 'As for him, he shall be...'
יִהְיֶה֙will beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of destiny oracle→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing or future stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, exist'; Qal impf — the destiny of Ishmael stated as future and ongoing; what he will be.
פֶּ֣רֶאwild donkey ofN m sg constr · פֶּרֶא (H6501)Predicate complement (first member of construct characterization)פֶּרֶא (H6501) 'wild donkey, wild ass'; a creature of the steppe, free and ungovernable; constr with אָדָם creates the phrase 'wild-donkey of a man' — a designation of undomesticated freedom.
אָדָ֔םmanN m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive of פֶּרֶא (construct chain)אָדָם (H120) 'man, human being'; together with פֶּרֶא a distinctive phrase meaning a man like a wild donkey — free, ranging, untamed; not simply pejorative but characterizing wildness and independence.
יָד֣וֹhis handN sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Subject of implied verb (against all)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; in the context of conflict idiom 'his hand against everyone' means his offensive posture toward all; the hand symbolizes power and aggression.
בַכֹּ֔לagainst everyoneprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (sphere of Ishmael's opposition)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; בַּכֹּל idiom for 'against everyone/everything'; Ishmael's hand against all is the first pole of the conflict characterization.
וְיַ֥דand the hand ofconj וְ + N sg constr · יָד (H3027)Subject of implied verb (second member of reciprocal conflict)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the reciprocal — everyone's hand against Ishmael mirrors the first; mutual conflict defines his social existence.
כֹּ֖לeveryoneN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive of יַד (construct)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, everyone'; the entirety of others stands in opposition to Ishmael — the oracle describes a life of perpetual contest, not merely occasional conflict.
בּ֑וֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase (object of the hand-against idiom)בְּ with 3ms suffix; completes the reciprocal conflict — everyone's hand against him.
וְעַלand beforeconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Conjunction + preposition introducing final clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, against, before'; here with פְּנֵי yields 'before/in the presence of'; this phrase is debated — does Ishmael dwell in conflict with or alongside his kin?
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of עַל (construct with כָּל)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; עַל פְּנֵי כָּל 'before/in the face of all'; the phrase may mean 'in the presence of' or 'over against/east of' — a geographical possibility pointing to Ishmaelite territory.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Modifier in construct with אֶחָיוכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with אֶחָיו — 'all his brothers'; the Ishmaelites as a people dwelling alongside or over against the other descendants of Abraham.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive of כָּלאָח (H251) 'brother'; with 3ms suffix, Ishmael's brothers are the other Abrahamic lines; the oracle places Ishmael in permanent, defined relation to them.
יִשְׁכֹּֽןhe will dwellQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Predicate verb of final clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing or future dwellingשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to dwell, settle, rest'; Qal impf — Ishmael will inhabit territory; the oracle ends not with annihilation but with a guaranteed place of existence alongside his kin.
13
וַתִּקְרָ֤א שֵׁם יְהוָה֙ הַדֹּבֵ֣ר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אַתָּ֖ה אֵ֣ל רֳאִ֑י כִּ֣י אָֽמְרָ֗ה הֲגַ֥ם הֲלֹ֛ם רָאִ֖יתִי אַחֲרֵ֥י רֹאִֽי
And she called the name of Yahweh who was speaking to her, "You are God who sees me," for she said, "Have I really here seen after the One who sees me?"
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַתִּקְרָ֤אand she calledQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; wayyiqtol — Hagar responds not merely with obedience but with a theological naming act; she is the subject of divine-name attribution.
שֵׁםthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וַתִּקְרָא (in construct)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; in construct with יְהוָה — Hagar names the name of YHWH, an extraordinary act for a foreign slave woman.
יְהוָה֙Yahwehproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of שֵׁם (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068); Hagar names YHWH — she attributes the divine name as the one who spoke to her; the formulation is one of the most theologically striking in Genesis.
הַדֹּבֵ֣רthe one speakingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Attributive participle modifying יְהוָה (appositional relative)→ Participle: ongoing/characteristic action — the speaking oneדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Qal ptc with article functions as relative clause — 'YHWH who was speaking to her'; the participle identifies YHWH as the one in dialogue.
אֵלֶ֔יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (direction of speech)אֶל (H413) with 3fs suffix; marks Hagar as the recipient of the divine speech she is now naming.
אַתָּ֖הyou areindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of verbless predicate (direct address to YHWH)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatic independent pronoun in Hagar's direct address to YHWH; the name she gives is a second-person declaration.
אֵ֣לGod ofN m sg constr · אֵל (H410)Predicate complement (first part of divine epithet)אֵל (H410) 'God, El'; the generic divine name; in construct with רֳאִי to form the epithet 'God of seeing' — a name unique to this passage.
רֳאִ֑יseeingN m sg abs · רֳאִי (H7210)Genitive of אֵל (construct chain — divine epithet)רֳאִי (H7210) 'sight, vision, seeing'; from רָאָה; this divine name, אֵל רֳאִי, 'God of seeing/vision,' occurs only here; encapsulates the theological claim that God saw Hagar in the wilderness.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introducing Hagar's explanatory speech)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground of Hagar's naming — she explains what prompted her declaration.
אָֽמְרָ֗הshe saidQal perf 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (introduces Hagar's inner reflection)→ Perfective: a completed act of speech/thoughtאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; shifts from the narrator's voice to Hagar's own words, given as reported speech.
הֲגַ֥םindeed even hereinterrog particle הֲ + adverb גַּם · גַּם (H1571)Rhetorical interrogative + emphasizing particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; with interrogative הֲ — 'have I truly also here seen?'; the particle adds emphasis and wonder to the question.
הֲלֹ֛םhereadverb · הֲלֹם (H1988)Adverb of place (location of the vision)הֲלֹם (H1988) 'hither, here'; a rare adverb of place emphasizing the location; the encounter occurred in this very wilderness spot.
רָאִ֖יתִיI have seenQal perf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of rhetorical question→ Perfective: the experience of seeing completedרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, behold'; Qal 1cs perfect — Hagar marvels that she has seen, using the same root as the divine epithet רֳאִי; mutual seeing is the theological center.
אַחֲרֵ֥יafterprep · אַחֲרֵי (H310)Temporal/relational prepositionאַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; the difficult phrase אַחֲרֵי רֹאִי is much debated — 'after the one who sees me?' or 'and yet live after seeing?'; the preposition introduces the paradox.
רֹאִֽיthe one seeing meQal ptc m sg constr + 1cs suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Object of prep אַחֲרֵי (participial substantive)→ Participle: characterizing attribute — the one who seesרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Qal active ptc m sg constr + 1cs suffix — 'the one seeing me'; substantivized participle referring to God as 'my Seer'; Hagar's wonder is at surviving an encounter with the seeing God.
14
עַל כֵּן֙ קָרָ֣א לַבְּאֵ֔ר בְּאֵ֥ר לַחַ֖י רֹאִ֑י הִנֵּ֥ה בֵין קָדֵ֖שׁ וּבֵ֥ין בָּֽרֶד
Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)First part of therefore-formula (עַל כֵּן)עַל (H5921); part of the idiom עַל כֵּן 'therefore, on account of this'; links the divine encounter to the place-name that follows.
כֵּן֙sodemonstrative adverb · כֵּן (H3651)Second part of therefore-formula (consequence marker)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, therefore'; עַל כֵּן is the standard etiological formula introducing a place-name or custom derived from a preceding event.
קָרָ֣אwas calledQal perf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (etiological naming clause)→ Perfective: the completed naming actקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Qal 3ms — the subject is indefinite ('one called') or passive in effect; the well receives its name from Hagar's encounter.
לַבְּאֵ֔רto the wellprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · בְּאֵר (H875)Indirect object (the thing named)בְּאֵר (H875) 'well, cistern'; the well itself is the subject of the naming; water wells often carry theological significance in wilderness narratives.
בְּאֵ֥רBeer-proper noun (first component) · בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883)First element of place-nameבְּאֵר (H875/H883) 'well'; the place-name begins with 'well' — בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי, 'Well of the Living One who sees me'; the full name embeds the theological claim of v13.
לַחַ֖יLahaiproper noun (second component) · בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883)Second element of place-nameלַחַי from לְחַי 'to the Living One'; component of the compound name encoding the divine epithet — the living God who sees.
רֹאִ֑יRoiproper noun (third component) · בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883)Third element of place-nameרֹאִי 'seeing me'; from רָאָה + 1cs suffix; the full place-name means 'Well of the Living One who sees me'; the well embeds the encounter in Israel's sacred geography permanently.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention particle introducing geographical noticeהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; introduces an orientating geographic note, inviting the reader to locate the well.
בֵיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Locative preposition (first boundary of geographic location)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; introduces the two landmark place-names that bracket the well's location.
קָדֵ֖שׁKadeshproper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6946)First landmark of the between-phraseקָדֵשׁ (H6946), Kadesh; an important desert location, also called Kadesh-barnea; southern terminus of the geographic bracket.
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Conjunction + second preposition completing the between-phraseבֵּין (H996) with conjunctive waw; the second term of the spatial bracket — the well lies between Kadesh and Bered.
בָּֽרֶדBeredproper noun · בָּרֶד (H1260)Second landmark of the between-phraseבָּרֶד (H1260), Bered; an otherwise unknown location, likely in the Negev region; the precise identification is uncertain but the name preserves geographic memory of the Hagar tradition.
15
וַתֵּ֧לֶד הָגָ֛ר לְאַבְרָ֖ם בֵּ֑ן וַיִּקְרָ֨א אַבְרָ֧ם שֶׁם בְּנ֛וֹ אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָ֥ה הָגָ֖ר יִשְׁמָעֵֽאל
And Hagar bore a son to Abram, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַתֵּ֧לֶדand she boreQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (fulfillment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; the promised birth now narrated as historical fulfillment of the oracle in vv10-11.
הָגָ֛רHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Subject of וַתֵּלֶדהָגָר (H1904); Hagar as the one who bears the child, now returned to the domestic sphere as the oracle promised.
לְאַבְרָ֖םto Abramprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Indirect object (Abram as recipient of the son)אַבְרָם (H87); the son is born to Abram — connecting the child to the patriarchal household and the larger promise framework.
בֵּ֑ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וַתֵּלֶדבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the birth of a son fulfills exactly what the oracle announced in v11.
וַיִּקְרָ֨אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (naming)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Abram performs the naming, though v11 instructed Hagar to name him; Abram's naming confers patriarchal legitimacy on the child.
אַבְרָ֧םAbramproper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאאַבְרָם (H87); Abram names the son, integrating him formally into the patriarchal household under his own authority.
שֶׁםthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וַיִּקְרָא (in construct)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; in construct with בְּנוֹ — 'the name of his son'; the naming formula mirrors v11's oracle exactly.
בְּנ֛וֹhis sonN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of שֶׁם (whose name is named)בֵּן (H1121) with 3ms suffix; Abram's acknowledgment of the child as 'his son' is the formal act of patriarchal recognition.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing qualifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which, that'; introduces the relative clause identifying which son and who bore him, tying back to Hagar.
יָלְדָ֥הboreQal perf 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed act of bearingיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; Qal 3fs perf — 'whom Hagar bore'; the relative clause is a narrative bracket, reminding the reader that Hagar is the mother.
הָגָ֖רHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Subject of יָלְדָה in relative clauseהָגָר (H1904); named explicitly in the relative clause, keeping Hagar's identity present even as Abram performs the naming.
יִשְׁמָעֵֽאלIshmaelproper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Predicate of naming clause (the name given)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458) 'God hears'; the divinely specified name is given exactly as announced in v11; the name embeds the wilderness encounter and divine hearing permanently in the child's identity.
16
וְאַבְרָ֕ם בֶּן שְׁמֹנִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים בְּלֶֽדֶת הָגָ֥ר אֶת יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל לְאַבְרָֽם
And Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאַבְרָ֕םand Abramconj וְ + proper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject (conj introduces closing chronological notice)אַבְרָם (H87); the chapter closes by anchoring Abram's age at Ishmael's birth, integrating the narrative into the patriarchal chronology.
בֶּןa son of [aged]N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate in construct (age formula)בֵּן (H1121) 'son of'; the phrase בֶּן + numeral is the standard Hebrew age formula — 'a son of eighty-six years' = 'eighty-six years old.'
שְׁמֹנִ֥יםeightynumeral m pl abs · שְׁמֹנִים (H8084)Numeral in age formulaשְׁמֹנִים (H8084) 'eighty'; the decadal numeral specifying Abram's age; he is eighty-six at Ishmael's birth, which is eleven years before Isaac at age ninety-nine (Gen 17:1).
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Noun of temporal unit (head of numeral phrase)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the singular is used with tens in Hebrew number syntax; combined with וְשֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים gives eighty-six years total.
וְשֵׁ֣שׁand sixconj וְ + numeral f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Conjunctive numeral completing the age (units digit)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; the units numeral added to the tens; together שְׁמֹנִים שָׁנָה וְשֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים = eighty-six years.
שָׁנִ֑יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Noun of temporal unit (plural with units numeral)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; the plural form שָׁנִים is used with the units numeral שֵׁשׁ, as is standard in Biblical Hebrew number syntax.
בְּלֶֽדֶתwhen boreprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · יָלַד (H3205)Temporal prepositional phrase (temporal clause of the birth event)→ Infinitive: the birth action as temporal reference pointיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; inf constr with בְּ yields 'at/when bearing' — the temporal phrase anchoring Abram's age to the precise moment of Ishmael's birth.
הָגָ֥רHagarproper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Subject of inf constr בְּלֶדֶתהָגָר (H1904); Hagar named as the subject of the birth even in the closing chronological summary — her role in the episode is not effaced at the close.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking יִשְׁמָעֵאל)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Ishmael as the definite direct object of the bearing.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אלIshmaelproper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Direct object of inf constr (the child born)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458) 'God hears'; the chapter ends with his name — the same name announced by the angel, given by Abram, and now confirmed in the closing genealogical notice.
לְאַבְרָֽםto Abramprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Indirect object (Abram as recipient in closing summary)אַבְרָם (H87); the final word of the chapter is Abram's name, closing the narrative by returning to the patriarch and anchoring Ishmael's birth firmly within the Abrahamic story.