Genesis 16:13
Genesis 16:13 in Multiple Translations
So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
And she called the name of Jehovah that spake unto her, Thou art a God that seeth: for she said, Have I even here looked after him that seeth me?
And to the Lord who was talking with her she gave this name, You are a God who is seen; for she said, Have I not even here in the waste land had a vision of God and am still living?
From then on Hagar called the Lord who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” because she said, “Here I saw the one who sees me.”
Then she called the name of the Lord, that spake vnto her, Thou God lookest on me: for she said, Haue I not also here looked after him that seeth me?
And she calleth the name of Jehovah who is speaking unto her, 'Thou [art], O God, my beholder;' for she said, 'Even here have I looked behind my beholder?'
She called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?”
And she called the name of the LORD that spoke to her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
And she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her: Thou the God who hast seen me. For she said: Verily here have I seen the hinder parts of him that seeth me.
Then Hagar realized that the angel was really Yahweh, so she said to herself, “◄It is difficult to believe that I have really seen the back of Yahweh, the one who sees me!/Have I really seen the back of Yahweh, the one who sees me?►” [RHQ] So she called him ‘Yahweh, the one who sees me’.
Then Hagar said to herself, “I have seen the God that sees me, and he looks after me.” So she gave God a name, she called him the God that sees me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 16:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 16:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּקְרָ֤א
שֵׁם
יְהוָה֙
הַ/דֹּבֵ֣ר
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ
אַתָּ֖ה
אֵ֣ל
רֳאִ֑י
כִּ֣י
אָֽמְרָ֗ה
הֲ/גַ֥ם
הֲלֹ֛ם
רָאִ֖יתִי
אַחֲרֵ֥י
רֹאִֽ/י
וַ/תִּקְרָ֤א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
שֵׁם
shêm
H8034
name
N-ms
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
הַ/דֹּבֵ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Art | V-Qal
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
אַתָּ֖ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
אֵ֣ל
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
רֳאִ֑י
rŏʼîy
H7210
sight
N-ms
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אָֽמְרָ֗ה
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
הֲ/גַ֥ם
gam
H1571
also
Part | Adv
הֲלֹ֛ם
hălôm
H1988
here
Adv
רָאִ֖יתִי
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
אַחֲרֵ֥י
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep
רֹאִֽ/י
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 16:13
וַ/תִּקְרָ֤א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
שֵׁם
shêm
H8034
"name"
N-ms
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
הַ/דֹּבֵ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Art | V-Qal
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אֵלֶ֔י/הָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אַתָּ֖ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
אֵ֣ל
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
רֳאִ֑י
rŏʼîy
H7210
"sight"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for sight refers to seeing or looking, and can describe a vision or a spectacle. In the Bible, it is used to describe gazing at something. It appears in various forms, including seeing and appearance.
Definition: 1) looking, appearance, seeing, sight 1a) seeing 1b) appearance 1c) sight, spectacle
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: gazingstock, look to, (that) see(-th). See also: Genesis 16:13; Job 7:8; Nahum 3:6.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אָֽמְרָ֗ה
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הֲ/גַ֥ם
gam
H1571
"also"
Part | Adv
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
הֲלֹ֛ם
hălôm
H1988
"here"
Adv
This Hebrew word means 'here' or 'hither', indicating a location or direction, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: here, hither
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: here, hither(-(to)), thither. See also: Genesis 16:13; 1 Samuel 10:22; Psalms 73:10.
רָאִ֖יתִי
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אַחֲרֵ֥י
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
רֹאִֽ/י
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal | Suff
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
Study Notes — Genesis 16:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 16:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 16:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 16:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 16:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
- Sermons on Genesis 16:13
Context — Hagar and Ishmael
11The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.
12He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
13So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me, ” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”
14Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi. It is located between Kadesh and Bered. 15And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 139:1–12 | O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD. You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You. |
| 2 | Genesis 32:30 | So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” |
| 3 | Proverbs 5:21 | For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths. |
| 4 | Proverbs 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. |
| 5 | Genesis 31:42 | If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.” |
| 6 | Genesis 16:7 | Now the angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert—the spring along the road to Shur. |
| 7 | Genesis 22:14 | And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” |
| 8 | Exodus 34:5–7 | And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” |
| 9 | Genesis 28:17 | And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!” |
| 10 | Genesis 16:9–10 | So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” |
Genesis 16:13 Summary
This verse means that Hagar realized God was paying attention to her and caring about what she was going through, even when it felt like no one else was. She felt seen and heard by God, which is a powerful reminder that God is always with us and aware of our circumstances, just like it says in Genesis 28:15, where God promises to be with us always. This gives us comfort and hope, knowing that we are not alone and that God sees us, even when it feels like everything is against us. By recognizing God's presence in our lives, we can trust in His goodness and sovereignty, just as Hagar did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that Hagar called God 'the God who sees me'?
Hagar recognized that God was aware of her situation and was actively involved in her life, much like God's presence is described in Psalm 139:7-10, where it says God is everywhere and sees everything.
Why did Hagar feel seen by God in this moment?
Hagar felt seen by God because He had spoken to her and provided guidance in her time of need, similar to how God spoke to Moses in Exodus 3:7, showing His concern for those who are afflicted.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's omniscience?
This verse illustrates God's all-knowing nature, as described in Jeremiah 23:24, where it says God fills heaven and earth and sees everything, emphasizing that nothing is hidden from Him.
What can we learn from Hagar's response to God's presence in her life?
Hagar's response teaches us to acknowledge and trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances, just as it is encouraged in Romans 8:28, where it says God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways have you experienced God's presence in your life, and how did you respond to it?
- How does the knowledge that God sees and knows everything about you affect your daily life and decisions?
- What are some areas of your life where you feel unseen or unnoticed, and how can you apply Hagar's experience to those situations?
- In what ways can you, like Hagar, acknowledge and worship God as the One who sees you, even in the midst of challenges?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 16:13
And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her,.... Either she called on the name of the Lord, and prayed unto him, that he would forgive her sin and give her some fresh tokens of his love;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 16:13
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
Thou God seest me; thou hast been pleased to take notice and care of me, and graciously to manifest thyself unto me. After him that seeth me, i.e. after that God whose eye is upon me for good. So she chides herself for her neglect of God, and of his providence, and that not only in her master’ s house, but even here in the wilderness, where her desolate and miserable condition should have made her look after and call upon God for help. Or rather, these are words of admiration: q.d. Have I also here, i.e. in this desolate wilderness, looked after him that seeth me, i.e. seen the face of my gracious God! That God should appear to me in my master’ s house, where he used to manifest himself, was not strange; but that I should have such a favour here, that God should not only look upon me, but admit me to look upon him, and visibly appear to me after I had run away from him, and from my godly master, this was more than I could hope or expect! Others thus, Have I here seen after him that sees me? i.e. after the vision of him that hath appeared to me? i.e. Do I yet see and live after I have seen God? She wonders at it, because it was then the common opinion that an appearance of God to any person was a forerunner of death. See 13:22.
And seeing is here put for living, one function of life for life itself, as ,8. But the word seeing put by itself, as here it is, is neither in those places, nor elsewhere, used for living. And had that been her meaning, she would have expressed it plainly, as they do in the places alleged, and not have used so dark and dubious a metaphor, nor would have said, after him that sees me, but rather, after I have seen him.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
Genesis 16:13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?Ver. 13. Thou God seest me.] This shows she had been well trained and tutored in her master Abram’ s house. Before, she told the angel the plain truth, and lied not. And here she thankfully acknowledgeth God’ s goodness in looking upon her forlorn solitariness, setting up a memorial of that mercy to all posterity. The greater was her sin again, that being so well principled, she should have any thoughts of returning to Egypt, there to forsake her faith learned in Abram’ s family. Have I also here looked, &c.,] q.d., Have I found God here also in the wilderness, as I had done oft before in my master’ s house? Or, am I yet alive, though I have seen God?
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
(13) Thou God seest me.—Heb., Thou art El Boi, that is, a God of seeing. Not as Onkelos paraphrases it, “Thou art a God that sees all things,” but “Thou art a God that permits Himself to be seen.” For so Hagar proceeds herself to explain the name, Do not I still see after seeing? With all the love of an Oriental for dark sayings, Hagar plays upon the word “roï,” but her meaning is plain: “Do I not see, and therefore am alive, and not even blinded, nor bereft of sense and reason, though I have seen God.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
Verse 13. And she called the name of the Lord] She invoked (ותקרא vattikra) the name of Jehovah who spake unto her, thus: Thou God seest me! She found that the eye of a merciful God had been upon her in all her wanderings and afflictions; and her words seem to intimate that she had been seeking the Divine help and protection, for she says, Have I also (or have I not also) looked after him that seeth me? This last clause of the verse is very obscure and is rendered differently by all the versions. The general sense taken out of it is this, That Hagar was now convinced that God himself had appeared unto her, and was surprised to find that, notwithstanding this, she was still permitted to live; for it is generally supposed that if God appeared to any, they must be consumed by his glories. This is frequently alluded to in the sacred writings. As the word אחרי acharey, which we render simply after, in other places signifies the last days or after times, (see Exodus 33:23,) it may probably have a similar meaning here; and indeed this makes a consistent sense: Have I here also seen the LATTER PURPOSES or DESIGNS of him who seeth me? An exclamation which may be referred to that discovery which God made in the preceding verse of the future state of her descendants.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 16:13
13. the Lord that spake unto her] These words definitely identify the Angel with a manifestation of the Almighty; see Genesis 16:7. Thou art a God that seeth] LXX ΣὺὁΘεὸςὁἐφιδώνμε, Lat. Tu Deus qui vidisti me. Hagar designates the Divine Person who had spoken to her, by the name Κl, with the epithet, or attribute, of “Vision”: see note on Genesis 14:18. She says, “Thou art Κl roi,” i.e. “a God of Seeing,” or “of Vision.” The familiar rendering, “Thou God seest me,” is, with our present text, incorrect. Have I even here looked after him that seeth me] According to this rendering, the emphasis is on the words “even here.” The meaning is, “have I, even here, in the wilderness, met God? and, though I knew Him not, yet, after He had gone, I perceived that it was He.” The awkwardness of the phrase, “after him,” is obvious. The difficulty of the passage was realized at a very early time: LXX καὶγὰρἐνώπιονεἶδονὀφθένταμοι, Lat. profecto hic vidi posteriora videntis me (explaining the clause from Exodus 33:23). On the assumption that the text is corrupt, Wellhausen conjectures “have I seen [God, and remained alive] after [my] vision,” reading Elohim for halτm, and inserting va-eḥ ?i. This gives a good sense; but is rendered doubtful by the alteration of the unusual word halτm (= “even hither”). Similarly, Ball conjectures “Have I even seen God, and survived?” (S.B.O.T.) It may be assumed that Hagar’s utterance denoted joy and thankfulness for having seen Jehovah, and for having lived afterwards.
Cf. Genesis 32:30; Exodus 3:6; Exodus 19:21; Judges 13:22; 1 Samuel 6:19.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 16:13
13. Thou God seest me — Translate, And she called the name of Jehovah, who spoke unto her, Thou art a God of sight, (that is, capable of being seen,) for she said, “Have I also hither seen after
Sermons on Genesis 16:13
| Sermon | Description | |
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The Deceitfulness of the Heart by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the deceptive nature of sin and the false promises it offers. He warns against being deceived by the temporary pleasures and illusions of si |
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Attitudes on Pride by Jim Logan | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of receiving criticism as a leader. They emphasize the importance of not having a critical spirit and being open to feedback. The sp |
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The Eternal Purpose of God - Part 4 by Stephen Kaung | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding and aligning with the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God, highlighting how our perception of God's will can be distort |
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The Life of Abraham - Part 5 by W.F. Anderson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the value of sparrows and how they are often overlooked. The speaker also highlights how the Bible accurately reflects the culture of the Near |
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Isaac Dwelt by the Well Lahai-Roi by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the significance of dwelling in the presence of God, as exemplified by Isaac's choice to reside by the well Lahai-Roi, a place of divine revelation and sus |
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God Knows by J.H. Newman | John Henry Newman emphasizes the human struggle with sin and the darkness within ourselves, highlighting our inability to manage our hearts and the comfort found in looking up to G |
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Interview 1974 by Corrie Ten Boom | This sermon shares the powerful testimony of a woman who endured imprisonment and suffering during World War II, highlighting how God's grace sustained her through the darkest time |