King James Version
What Does Genesis 16:9 Mean?
“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.”
Context
7
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8
And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
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
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(9) **Submit thyself.**—Heb., *humble thyself. *It is the verb translated *dealt hardly *in Genesis 16:6. The angel therefore commands her to take the position which Sarai was forcing upon her; and by so doing proves to us that there had been no personal maltreatment. Commentators have taken this notion, not from the Hebrew, but from the English Version.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 16:9 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 16:9
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge