King James Version

What Does Genesis 16:3 Mean?

Genesis 16:3 in the King James Version says “And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.”

Genesis 16:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

2

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. obtain: Heb. be built by her

3

And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

4

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

5

And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

Read Genesis 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land... 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 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 · 21 words
וַתִּקַּ֞ח1 of 21

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

שָׂרַ֣י2 of 21

“And Sarai”

H8297

sarai, the wife of abraham

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃3 of 21

“to be his wife”

H802

a woman

לְאַבְרָ֥ם4 of 21

“Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

אֶת5 of 21
H853

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

הָגָ֤ר6 of 21

“Hagar”

H1904

hagar, the mother of ishmael

הַמִּצְרִית֙7 of 21

“the Egyptian”

H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

שִׁפְחָתָ֔הּ8 of 21

“her maid”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

מִקֵּץ֙9 of 21

“after”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

עֶ֣שֶׂר10 of 21

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

שָׁנִ֔ים11 of 21

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְשֶׁ֥בֶת12 of 21

“had dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לְאַבְרָ֥ם13 of 21

“Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ14 of 21

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָ֑עַן15 of 21

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

וַתִּתֵּ֥ן16 of 21

“and gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתָ֛הּ17 of 21
H853

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

לְאַבְרָ֥ם18 of 21

“Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

אִישָׁ֖הּ19 of 21
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

ל֥וֹ20 of 21
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃21 of 21

“to be his wife”

H802

a woman

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 16:3 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 16:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:4-5Genesis 16:52 Samuel 5:13Genesis 30:9Genesis 30:4Judges 19:1-4

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
View all places in Genesis 16 →

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