King James Version

What Does Genesis 16:16 Mean?

Genesis 16:16 in the King James Version says “And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.”

Genesis 16:16 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Read Genesis 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
לְאַבְרָֽם׃1 of 11

“And Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

בֶּן2 of 11

“old”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁמֹנִ֥ים3 of 11

“was fourscore”

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

שָׁנִ֑ים4 of 11

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וְשֵׁ֣שׁ5 of 11

“and six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

שָׁנִ֑ים6 of 11

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּלֶֽדֶת7 of 11

“bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

הָגָ֥ר8 of 11

“when Hagar”

H1904

hagar, the mother of ishmael

אֶת9 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל10 of 11

“Ishmael”

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

לְאַבְרָֽם׃11 of 11

“And Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

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

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