Devine Scripture

Genesis 16:8

What does Genesis 16:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 16:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 16:8 means

The Angel of Jehovah directly addresses Hagar, calling her by name and identifying her as "Sarai's handmaid." The questions, "whence camest thou? and whither goest thou?" are not for information, but to prompt Hagar to acknowledge her situation and reflect on her actions. Hagar's candid response—that she is fleeing from Sarai—reveals her desperate circumstances and serves as a confession of her predicament, preparing her to receive divine instruction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from and where are you going? And she said, I am running away from Sarai, my master's wife.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he saith, `Hagar, Sarai's handmaid, whence hast thou come, and whither dost thou go?' and she saith, `From the presence of Sarai, my mistress, I am fleeing.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He said to her: Agar, handmaid of Sarai, whence comest thou? and whither goest thou? And she answered: I flee from the face of Sarai, my mistress.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maidservant, whence comest thou? and whither art thou going? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.

Context

This verse continues the direct interaction between Hagar and the Angel of Jehovah, immediately following His appearance. The questions posed by the Angel are pivotal because they invite Hagar to articulate her distress, which she does. Her answer sets the groundwork for the divine counsel that the Angel will provide, leading directly into the command for her to return to Sarai.

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

v.8This passage

v.9And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Timothy 6:1

    Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.

  • Jeremiah 2:17

    Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?

  • 1 Samuel 26:19

    Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be Jehovah that hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Jehovah; for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.

  • Genesis 16:4

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

  • Genesis 3:9

    And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?

  • Genesis 4:10

    And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

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