Genesis 16

Abram marrieth Agar, who bringeth forth Ismael.

⁠

[1]⁠

Now Sarai the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children; but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar,

[2]⁠

She said to her husband: Behold, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: go in unto my handmaid, it may be I may have children of her at least. And when he agreed to her request,

[3]⁠

She took Agar the Egyptian her handmaid, ten years after they first dwelt in the land of Chanaan, and gave her to her husband to wife.

[4]⁠

And he went in to her. But she, perceiving that she was with child, despised her mistress.

[5]⁠

And Sarai said to Abram: Thou dost unjustly with me: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom, and she perceiving herself to be with child, despiseth me. The Lord judge between me and thee.

[3] "To wife": Plurality of wives, though contrary to the primitive institution of marriage, Gen. 2. 24, was by divine dispensation allowed to the patriarchs: which allowance seems to have continued during the time of the law of Moses. But Christ our Lord reduced marriage to its primitive institution. Matt. 19.

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[6]⁠

And Abram made answer, and said to her: Behold thy handmaid is in thy own hand, use her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai afflicted her, she ran away.

[7]⁠

And the angel of the Lord having found her, by a fountain of water in the wilderness, which is in the way to Sur in the desert,

[8]⁠

He said to her: Agar, handmaid of Sarai, whence comest thou? and whither goest thou? And she answered: I flee from the face of Sarai, my mistress.

[9]⁠

And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hand.

[10]⁠

And again he said: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, and it shall not be numbered for multitude.

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[11]⁠

And again: Behold, said he, thou art with child, and thou shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Ismael, because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

[12]⁠

He shall be a wild man: his hand will be against all men, and all men's hands against him: and he shall pitch his tents over against all his brethren.

[13]⁠

And she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her: Thou the God who hast seen me. For she said: Verily here have I seen the hinder parts of him that seeth me.

[14]⁠

Therefore she called that well, The well of him that liveth and seeth me. The same is between Cades and Barad.

[15]⁠

And Agar brought forth a son to Abram: who called his name Ismael.

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[16]⁠

Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth Ismael.

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