Devine Scripture

Genesis 16:4

What does Genesis 16:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 16:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 16:4 means

After Abram married Hagar, she conceived, marking the apparent success of Sarai's plan—but with immediate, negative social consequences. Once Hagar realized she was pregnant, her attitude towards Sarai, her mistress, changed from submission to contempt. This psychological shift reveals the brokenness that results when human schemes attempt to circumvent God's divine will, leading to pride and disrespect within the household.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went in to Hagar and she became with child, and when she saw that she was with child, she no longer had any respect for her master's wife.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he goeth in unto Hagar, and she conceiveth, and she seeth that she hath conceived, and her mistress is lightly esteemed in her eyes.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he went in to her. But she perceiving that she was with child, despised her mistress.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was lightly esteemed in her eyes.

Context

This verse describes the immediate consequence of the previous verse's actions: Hagar's conception. This event, intended by Sarai to solve her barrenness, instead introduces new strife into the family. The change in Hagar's demeanor sets the stage for Sarai's distress and subsequent harsh treatment of Hagar, escalating the domestic conflict.

v.3And Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife.

v.4This passage

v.5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: Jehovah judge between me and thee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4

    Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

  • 1 Samuel 1:6

    And her rival provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Jehovah had shut up her womb.

  • 2 Samuel 6:16

    And it was so, as the ark of Jehovah came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Jehovah; and she despised him in her heart.

  • Proverbs 30:23

    For an odious woman when she is married; And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

  • Proverbs 30:20

    So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:6

    Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

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