But Abram said vnto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; doe to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, shee fled from her face. Genesis 16:6 (KJV)
In this verse we see a significant event in the life of Abram (later known as Abraham) and his wife Sarai (later known as Sarah). To understand the context and significance of this verse, let us explore the preceding events. At this point in the biblical narrative Abram and Sarai had been married for a while but were still childless. God had promised Abram that he would have descendants who would become a great nation (Genesis 12:1‑3), yet Sarai was barren and they had no children together. Feeling a sense of desperation and doubt Sarai proposed a plan to Abram. She suggested that Abram should have a child with her Egyptian maid Hagar and that the child would then be considered Sarai’s own, a customary way of building a family in that culture. Abram, though initially hesitant, eventually agreed to Sarai’s plan. He took Hagar into his household as a bondwoman (concubine) and she became pregnant. However the situation quickly became tense as jealousy and strife arose between Sarai and Hagar. Genesis 16:6 captures a moment of conflict between Sarai and Hagar. Sarai, in her frustration and disappointment, treated Hagar harshly. Abram, seemingly indifferent or unwilling to intervene, told Sarai to do as she pleased with Hagar. Sarai’s treatment became so severe that Hagar eventually fled from her presence.
This verse highlights several important themes and lessons. Human weakness and flawed decision‑making are evident as Abram and Sarai take matters into their own hands instead of trusting in God’s promise, reminding us of the consequences that can arise when we act out of impatience. The destructive power of jealousy and mistreatment is shown in Sarai’s jealousy toward Hagar, which leads to harsh treatment and great distress, illustrating the need for kindness and compassion. God’s care for the oppressed is displayed when Hagar, alone in the wilderness, is not abandoned; He appears, comforts her, and makes promises regarding her future and the future of her son (Genesis 16:7‑16), demonstrating divine compassion for the vulnerable.
Ultimately the events described in Genesis 16:6 serve as a reminder of the consequences of human choices and the faithfulness of God. Despite the mistakes made by Abram and Sarai, God remained faithful to His promise and continued to work through their lives to bring about His plan for the redemption of humanity.
