King James Version

What Does Genesis 16:13 Mean?

Genesis 16:13 in the King James Version says “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

Genesis 16:13 · KJV

Context

11

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. Ishmael: that is, God shall hear

12

And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

13

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

14

Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi ; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. Beerlahairoi: that is, The well of him that liveth and seeth me

15

And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Read Genesis 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I als... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Compassion shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתִּקְרָ֤א1 of 15

“And she called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שֵׁם2 of 15

“the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָה֙3 of 15

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַדֹּבֵ֣ר4 of 15

“that spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֔יהָ5 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַתָּ֖ה6 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֵ֣ל7 of 15

“unto her Thou God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

רֳאִ֑י8 of 15

“seest me”

H7210

sight, whether abstractly (vision) or concretely (a spectacle)

כִּ֣י9 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָֽמְרָ֗ה10 of 15

“for she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲגַ֥ם11 of 15
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הֲלֹ֛ם12 of 15

“Have I also here”

H1988

hither

רֹאִֽי׃13 of 15

“looked”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אַֽחֲרֵ֥י14 of 15

“after him”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

רֹאִֽי׃15 of 15

“looked”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 16:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 16:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 139:1-12Genesis 32:30Proverbs 5:21Proverbs 15:3Genesis 31:42Genesis 16:7

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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