Genesis 16:3

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Abram het toe al tien jaar in Kanaän gewoon. Sy vrou Sarai het haar Egiptiese slavin Hagar geneem en vir haar man Abram gegee sodat Hagar ook sy vrou kon wees.

What Does This Mean?

This verse tells us that Sarai, Abram's wife, gave her Egyptian servant Hagar to Abram to be his wife because Sarai couldn't have children. This happened after Abram lived in Canaan for ten years. The key message is about the consequences of trying to fulfill God's promises through human methods.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a best friend who can't play with you, so you decide to get another friend to play in their place. That's what Sarai did with Hagar because she couldn't have a baby. It's like borrowing someone to help, but sometimes, it can cause big problems later on.

Historical Background

The book of Genesis was likely written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It's part of the Torah and was written for the Israelites. In the cultural setting, it was common for a woman to give her servant to her husband to bear children.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, consider when you feel pressure to take shortcuts to achieve something important in life. Just like Sarai's decision, it might seem like a good idea at first, but it can lead to complications later. It's often better to trust the process and wait for the right time.

Topics

• infertility
• trust
• consequences
• servants
• marriage
• protection

Related Verses

• Genesis 17:20
• Genesis 21:9-10
• Galatians 4:21-31
• Romans 4:19-22
• Hebrews 11:11

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Sarai give Hagar to Abram?

Sarai couldn't have children, so she gave Hagar to Abram to help fulfill the promise of a child and heir.

What are the consequences of Sarai's decision?

The decision led to conflict between Hagar and Sarai and complicated family dynamics, affecting the family's unity and peace.

What can we learn about trust from this verse?

We can learn that trying to take matters into our own hands instead of trusting God's plan can lead to unforeseen complications.

How did the culture of the time influence Sarai's decision?

It was culturally acceptable for a barren wife to give her servant to her husband to bear a child, but this practice could lead to complex family relationships.