Genesis 16:14
What does Genesis 16:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 16:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 16:14 means
The well where Hagar encountered the Angel of Jehovah was named Beer-lahai-roi, meaning "the well of Him who lives and sees me." This name serves as a perpetual memorial to God's watchful care and personal revelation to Hagar in her time of distress. Its location between Kadesh and Bered further grounds this sacred event in geography, making it a tangible reminder of God's compassion and providence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore the well was called Beer–lahai–roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that fountain was named, Fountain of Life and Vision: it is between Kadesh and Bered.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862therefore hath one called the well, `The well of the Living One, my beholder;' lo, between Kadesh and Bered.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore she called that well, the well of him that liveth and seeth me. The same is between Cades and Barad.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore the well was named Beer-lahai-roi: behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
Context
This verse builds directly on Hagar's profound acknowledgment of God's seeing presence. The naming of the well solidifies the importance of the divine encounter and Hagar's transformation, creating a lasting geographical marker of God's intervention. This act of naming then transitions the narrative back to the physical fulfillment of the Angel's prophecy as Hagar returns to Abram and bears her son.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 25:11
And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed Isaac his son: and Isaac dwelt by Beer-lahai-roi.
- Numbers 13:26
And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
- Genesis 24:62
And Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the land of the South.
- Genesis 14:7
And they returned, and came to En-mishpat (the same is Kadesh), and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.
- Genesis 21:31
Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.
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