Devine Scripture

Genesis 16:6

What does Genesis 16:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 16:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 16:6 means

Abram responds to Sarai by affirming her authority over Hagar, essentially giving Sarai permission to deal with her handmaid as she sees fit. Abram's passive response reveals his failure to mediate or protect Hagar, allowing the conflict to escalate. Sarai then acts harshly, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness, demonstrating the destructive consequences of human efforts to fulfill divine promises outside of God's timing and method.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her that which is good in thine eyes. And Sarai dealt hardly with her, and she fled from her face.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her that which is good in thine eyes. And Sarai dealt hardly with her, and she fled from her face.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Abram said, The woman is in your power; do with her whatever seems good to you. And Sarai was cruel to her, so that she went running away from her.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abram saith unto Sarai, `Lo, thine handmaid <FI>is<Fi> in thine hand, do to her that which is good in thine eyes;' and Sarai afflicted her, and she fleeth from her presence.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Abram made answer, and said to her: Behold thy handmaid is in thy own hand, use her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai afflicted her, she ran away.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abram said to Sarai, Behold, thy maidservant is in thy hand: do to her what is good in thine eyes. And Sarai oppressed her; and she fled from her face.

Context

This verse immediately follows Sarai's accusation against Abram, detailing his decision to return authority over Hagar to Sarai. This choice directly leads to Sarai's abusive actions and Hagar's flight, which is the next key event in the chapter. This moment underscores the breakdown of family order when human desires override divine guidance, propelling Hagar into the wilderness alone.

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.

v.6This passage

v.7And the angel of Jehovah found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 15:17

    Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

  • Proverbs 29:19

    A servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, he will not give heed.

  • Exodus 2:15

    Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

  • Proverbs 15:1

    A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

  • 1 Peter 3:7

    Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell withyour wivesaccording to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

  • Jeremiah 38:5

    And Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he that can do anything against you.

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