“And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.”
This verse is a part of the narrative in Genesis that recounts the story of Abram (later known as Abraham), his wife Sarai (later known as Sarah), and their maidservant Hagar. In this particular verse, we see the consequences of the decision made by Sarai to give her maidservant to Abram as a way to bear a child on her behalf.
To better understand the context, we need to examine the events leading up to this verse. In Genesis 16:1-3, Sarai, who was barren, suggested to Abram that he should have a child with Hagar, her Egyptian maidservant. Abram agreed to Sarai’s proposal, and Hagar became pregnant.
Now, in verse 4, it says, “And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived.” This statement indicates that Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, which resulted in her becoming pregnant. This event fulfilled the purpose for which Sarai had given Hagar to Abram.
The latter part of the verse states, “and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.” This line reveals the consequence of Hagar’s pregnancy. Once Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise Sarai, her mistress. This likely occurred because Hagar saw herself as having achieved a status above Sarai due to her ability to conceive, which was highly valued in that culture.
Hagar’s newfound sense of superiority caused tension and strife within the household. Subsequent verses describe Sarai’s reaction to Hagar’s despising attitude and her mistreatment of Hagar as a result.
This verse and the subsequent events illustrate the consequences of Sarai and Abram’s decision to take matters into their own hands instead of trusting in God’s promises. God had promised Abram that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5), but instead of waiting for God’s timing and fulfillment of that promise, Sarai and Abram resorted to their own plan. Their actions led to conflict and complications in their family.
Overall, Genesis 16:4 serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God’s guidance and trusting in His timing and faithfulness. It highlights the consequences that can arise when we attempt to fulfill God’s promises in our own way, instead of waiting on Him and relying on His plans.
