Genesis 21:16

Arabic SVD 1865 Version (Smith and Van Dyke)

ومضت وجلست مقابله بعيدا نحو رمية قوس. لانها قالت لا انظر موت الولد. فجلست مقابله ورفعت صوتها وبكت.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Hagar, Abraham's concubine, sits a distance away from her son, Ishmael, who is dying of thirst. She is so overwhelmed with grief that she does not want to see her child die. She weeps loudly, expressing her sorrow.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you had a really big teddy bear that you loved very much, but it was broken and you couldn’t fix it. You might sit far away from it because you’re so sad you don’t want to see it anymore. That’s how Hagar felt about her son Ishmael.

Historical Background

Genesis was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BC. This part of Genesis focuses on the life of Abraham and his family, particularly the birth of Isaac and the expulsion of Ishmael. The cultural setting involves nomadic tribes in the Near East where water scarcity was a constant threat.

Living It Out Today

Today, you might feel like Hagar when you’re going through a tough time and don’t want to face it head-on. It’s okay to take a break and feel sad, but it’s also important to seek help and not isolate yourself, as Hagar eventually did when she called out for help.

Topics

• parental love
• desperation
• divine intervention
• abandonment
• salvation

Related Verses

• Genesis 21:17
• Luke 15:20-24
• Jeremiah 31:15
• Matthew 2:18
• Romans 8:15

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Hagar sit a distance away?

Hagar sat a distance away from her son, Ishmael, because she was overcome with grief and did not want to witness his death, showing how deeply she loved him.

What does Hagar's weeping symbolize?

Hagar's weeping symbolizes her despair and desperation, highlighting the depth of her love for Ishmael and her helplessness in the face of her son's suffering.

How does this verse show divine intervention?

This verse sets the stage for divine intervention. In the next verse, God hears Ishmael's cries and sends an angel to help them, showing that God is aware of their distress.

What can we learn from Hagar's reaction?

From Hagar's reaction, we can learn that it's natural to feel overwhelmed in times of crisis, but it's also important to seek help and not isolate ourselves in our sorrow.