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Genesis 16:8 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּאמַ֗ר הָגָ֞ר שִׁפְחַ֥ת שָׂרַ֛י אֵֽי־ מִזֶּ֥ה בָ֖את וְאָ֣נָה תֵלֵ֑כִי וַתֹּ֕אמֶר מִפְּנֵי֙ שָׂרַ֣י גְּבִרְתִּ֔י אָנֹכִ֖י בֹּרַֽחַת׃

BSAHagarHâgâr [Sarai’s maid, a female slave] servantshiphchâh of SaraiSâray he saidʼâmar whereʼay [from what place or source] have you come frombôwʼ and whereʼân [to what destination or purpose] I amʼânôkîy running awaybârach [fleeing, escaping] frompânîym my mistressgᵉbereth [lady, female master] SaraiSâray she repliedʼâmar

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 16
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 8 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (bo.Ra.chat) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 16:8quick helps
In a sentenceHagar, the servant of Sarai, is questioned by an angel about her origins and destination.
Who is speakingAn angel of the LORD speaks to Hagar.
Where we areIn the desert, near a spring of water.
The hard wordשִׁפְחַ֥ת
Take awayHagar is fleeing from her mistress Sarai.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאָנֹכִי verbאָמַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Genesis 16:8

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Encounter in the Desertgenerated

7Now the angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert—the spring along the road to Shur.
8“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.
9So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.”
10Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”

Genesis 16:8 describes Hagar's encounter with an angel while she is fleeing from Sarai. The angel questions her about her journey, highlighting her plight as a servant and the complexities of her situation. This narrative sets the stage for Hagar's significant role in the lineage of Abraham, as she becomes the mother of Ishmael, whose story unfolds later in Genesis.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 16:1–4Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.
2Ephesians 6:5–8Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
31 Timothy 6:1–2All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
4Genesis 3:9But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
5Genesis 4:10“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word שִׁפְחַ֥ת, shif.Chatgenerated

The term שִׁפְחָה (shiphchah) refers to a maid or female servant, often indicating a lowly position within a household. It derives from a root meaning to spread out, suggesting a role in domestic settings. In this verse, it emphasizes Hagar's status as a servant of Sarai, illustrating the social dynamics at play.

The feminine singular form indicates that Hagar is a specific individual in this narrative. The use of this term underscores her vulnerability and the power imbalance between her and Sarai, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of her story.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb of the verse is וַיֹּאמַ֗ר, and he said, which governs the dialogue that follows. The structure includes a question about Hagar's origins and destination, with her response providing insight into her situation.

The sentence is composed of several clauses: the initial question from the angel, followed by Hagar's reply. The use of direct speech highlights the interaction and the urgency of Hagar's circumstances.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שִׁפְחַ֥ת as παιδίσκη (), which means 'young female servant' and carries a similar connotation of servitude. This choice reflects the status of Hagar as a servant in the household of Sarai.

The Greek word emphasizes the youth and subordinate role of Hagar, aligning with the narrative's portrayal of her as a vulnerable figure in need of divine assistance.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 16:8 tells us about Hagar, Sarai's servant, who is fleeing from her mistress. An angel asks her where she has come from and where she is going. Hagar responds that she is running away from Sarai.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

Who is Hagar?

Hagar is Sarai's maidservant from Egypt, who becomes the mother of Ishmael.

Why is Hagar fleeing?

Hagar is fleeing from Sarai, her mistress, due to the tension between them.

What does the angel ask Hagar?

The angel asks Hagar where she has come from and where she is going.

What is the significance of Hagar's story?

Hagar's story highlights themes of servitude, divine intervention, and the unfolding of God's promises.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What can we learn from Hagar's response to the angel about her situation?
  2. How does Hagar's status as a servant influence her actions and choices?
  3. What does this encounter reveal about God's concern for those in difficult circumstances?
  4. In what ways can we apply Hagar's story to our understanding of faith and obedience?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Early commentators reflect on Hagar's virtue and the significance of her encounter with the angel, emphasizing her importance in the biblical narrative.

Didymus the BlindON Genesis 242-43 c. 313–398
From this text one gains insight into the virtue of Hagar as well, and one becomes aware that she is a woman not to be despised since an angel converses with her and shows concern for her that is hardly superficial,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 16 →
Didymus the BlindON Genesis 243 c. 313–398
Moreover, when the beauty of the spiritual law is illuminated, that which is no more than shadow flees. Sacrifices that are luminous compared with those of “the shadow” were in fact announced in the transmitted teaching and have been…
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 16 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 16:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid,.... He calls her by her name, which might surprise her, and describes her by her character and condition, in order to check her pride, and put her in mind of her

Read John Gill on Genesis 16 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

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. Hagar, Sarai's maid.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 16 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

By this title he admonisheth her, that though she was Abram’ s wife, yet she was Sarai’ s maid, to whom she owed subjection and service, from which she could not lawfully withdraw herself. Consider with thyself what thou art doing: what a sad exchange thou art making. Thou forsakest not only an excellent master and husband, but also me and my worship, which thou wilt not find in any other family, and so castest thyself out of the true church, and art running headlong into a place of all idolatry and impiety, to thy utter undoing; and this merely through pride and impatience.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 16 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 16:8 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. Ver. 8. Hagar, Sarai’ s maid.] This was a good item to her, that she was out of her way, because out of her place. Whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou?] Such is the sweet and secret voice of God’ s Spirit, that angelus tutelaris , as I may say, in our hearts, when extravagant, so that we cannot do the evil we would. I flee from the face of my mistress, Sarai.] Who haply had overdone, as we are all apt to do, when we are judges in our own causes and concernments. She should have thought of that of Job, "Did not he that made me in the…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 16 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) Whence camest thou?—It is noteworthy that in these Divine communications God’s knowledge of all the circumstances is not presumed, but the person visited is led on to tell them. This adds very much to the freshness and poetry of the narrative. Here, however, in the address, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, the angel, at least, shows that he is aware who she is, and also reminds her of what she had forgotten, that in bestowing her upon Abram Sarai did not cease to be her mistress.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 16 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 8. Hagar, Sarai's maid] This mode of address is used to show her that she was known, and to remind her that she was the property of another.

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 16 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

8. Sarai’s maid — The words were calculated to remind her that she was not her own, nor yet Abram’s wife. Whence… whither — These questions were adapted to arouse her conscience and her fears.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 16 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.

NETBNew English Translation2006

He said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

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.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

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.

RVARevised Version, American1894

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

NWBWebster's Bible1833

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.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And he saide, Hagar Sarais maide, whence commest thou? and whither wilt thou goe? And she said, I flie from my dame Sarai.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

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.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

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.'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

and He says, “Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, from where have you come, and to where do you go?” And she says, “From the presence of Sarai, my mistress, I am fleeing.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, From the face of my mistress Sarai I am fleeing.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

He said, “Hagar, Sarai's servant, where did you come from and where are you going?” Then she said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

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.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

He asked her, “Hagar, Sarai's slave—where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I'm running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

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.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיֹּאמַ֗רhe.saidclauseclausenoun phraseהָגָ֞רO.Hagarnoun phraseשִׁפְחַ֥תthe.maidservantשָׂרַ֛יof.Saraiclauseclauseאֵֽיwhere?clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromזֶּ֥הthisverbבָ֖אתhave.you.comeוְandclauseadverbialאָ֣נָהwhere?verbתֵלֵ֑כִיare.you.goingוַandclauseverbתֹּ֕אמֶרshe.saidclauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִfromnoun phraseפְּנֵי֙beforenoun phraseשָׂרַ֣יSarainoun phraseגְּבִרְתִּ֔mistressיmysubjectאָנֹכִ֖יIverbבֹּרַֽחַת[am].fleeing

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with 14 of the 15 words matching. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch differs in two words: it uses אוי (where) instead of אֵֽי־, and באתי (come) instead of בָ֖את.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיֹּאמַ֗ר הָגָ֞ר שִׁפְחַ֥ת שָׂרַ֛י אֵֽי־ מִזֶּ֥ה בָ֖את וְאָ֣נָה תֵלֵ֑כִי וַתֹּ֕אמֶר מִפְּנֵי֙ שָׂרַ֣י גְּבִרְתִּ֔י אָנֹכִ֖י בֹּרַֽחַת׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּאמַ֗רεἶπενהָגָ֞רαγαρשִׁפְחַ֥תπαιδίσκηשָׂרַ֛יσαραςאֵֽי־πόθενבָ֖אתἔρξῃוְאָ֣נָהποῦתֵלֵ֑כִיπορεύῃוַתֹּ֕אמֶרεἶπενמִפְּנֵי֙προσώπουשָׂרַ֣יσαραςגְּבִרְתִּ֔יμουאָנֹכִ֖יἐγὼבֹּרַֽחַת׃ἀποδιδράσκω

14 of the 15 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויאמר הגר שׁפחת שׂרי אוי מזה באתי ואנה תלכי ותאמר מפני שׂרי גברתי אנכי ברחת

2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: אוי (where), באתי (come)

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Genesis 16:8אָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַרהָגָרO HagarO Hagarהָגָרשִׁפְחָה[the] maids[the] maidservaשִׁפְחָהשָׂרַיSaraiSaraiשָׂרַיאַיwhere?where?אַיזֶהfrom thisfrom thisזֶהבּוֹאhave you cohave you comeבּוֹאאָןand where?and where?אָןהָלַךְare you goiare you goingהָלַךְאָמַרand she saiand she saidאָמַרפָּנֶהfrom beforefrom beforeפָּנֶהשָׂרַיSaraiSaraiשָׂרַיגְּבֶ֫רֶתmistress mymistress myגְּבֶ֫רֶתאָֽנֹכִ֫יIIאָֽנֹכִ֫יבָּרַח[am] fleein[am] fleeingבָּרַחשַׂרrulerrulerשַׂראַ֫יִןwhere?where?אַ֫יִןפָּנָהCorner (GaCorner (Gate)פָּנָהמִשְׁפָּחָהfamilyfamilyמִשְׁפָּחָהזֶהthisthisזֶהזֹהthisthisזֹההָלַךְto walkto walkהָלַךְגְּבִירlordlordגְּבִירשִׁפְחָהmaidservanmaidservantשִׁפְחָהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/GodיהוהאַבְרָםAbramAbramאַבְרָםמִצְרִיEgyptianEgyptianמִצְרִיזִלְפָּהZilpahZilpahזִלְפָּהבִּלְהָהBilhahBilhahבִּלְהָהלְחִיjawjawלְחִיזֶהthisthisזֶהאַיwhere?where?אַי
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Genesis 16:8

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
וַיֹּאמַ֗רvai.yo.Mar and he said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
הָגָ֞רha.Gar O Hagar H1904 Noun proper feminine
12× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Hagar was a slave girl from Egypt who became Abraham's concubine and the mother of Ishmael. Her name means 'flight' and she is an important figure in the book of Genesis, where her story is told in chapters 16 and 21.
Amplified meaning
Sarai’s maid, a female slave
Tyndale gloss
Hagar
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָגָר (Hagar) refers to Sarah's Egyptian maid and the mother of Ishmael. The name is associated with the concept of 'flight' and is first mentioned in Genesis 16:1. The lexicons indicate that the derivation of the name is uncertain, possibly foreign, but they consistently identify her role in the biblical narrative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָגָר n.pr.f. Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maid, mother of Ishmael

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1904 הָגָר Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maid, mother of Ishmael

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1904 Hagar haw-gawr'

of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation; Hagar, the mother

of Ishmael:--Hagar.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָגָר (ha.gar) — Hagar.

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.16.1; married to Abraham (H0085);

mother of: Ishmael (H3458)

Also named: Agar (Ἄγαρ "Hagar" G0028)

§ Hagar = "flight"

Sarah's Egyptian slave girl, Abraham's concubine, Ishmael's mother

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper feminine
HNpf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha'-gar (haghar, "emigration," "flight"; Hagar, Agar): An Egyptian woman, the handmaid or slave of Sarai; a present, perhaps, from Pharaoh when Abram dissembled to him in Egypt (Ge 12:16). Mention is made of her in two passages (Ge 16; 21:8-21).

1. The Scornful Handmaid and Her Flight:

In the first narrative (Ge 16) it is related that Sarai, despairing at her age of having children, gave Hagar to Abram as a concubine. As Hagar was not an ordinary household slave but the peculiar property of her mistress (compare Ge 29:24,29), any offspring which she might bear to Abram would be reckoned as Sarai's (compare Ge 30:3-9). In the prospect of becoming a mother, Hagar, forgetting her position, seems to have assumed an insolent bearing…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hagar

Flight, or, according to others, stranger, an Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid (Gen. 16:1; 21:9, 10), whom she gave to Abraham (q.v.) as a secondary wife (16:2). When she was about to become a mother she fled from the cruelty of her mistress, intending apparently to return to her relatives in Egypt, through the desert of Shur, which lay between. Wearied and worn she had reached the place she distinguished by the name of Beer-lahai-roi (“the well of the visible God”), where the angel of the Lord appeared to her. In obedience to the heavenly visitor she returned to the tent of Abraham, where her son Ishmael was born, and where she remained (16) till after the birth of Isaac, the space of fourteen years. Sarah after this began to vent her dissatisfaction both on Hagar and her child. Ishmael’s conduct was insulting to Sarah, and she…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(flight), an Egyptian woman, the handmaid or slave of Sarah, (Genesis 16:1) whom the latter gave as a concubine to Abraham, after he had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan and had no children by Sarah. ch (Genesis 16:2,3) (B.C. 1912.) When Hagar saw that she had conceived, "her mistress was despised in her eyes," v. 4, and Sarah, with the anger, we may suppose, of a free woman rather than of a wife, reproached Abraham for the results of her own act. Hagar fled, turning her steps toward her native land through the great wilderness traversed by the Egyptian road. By the fountain in the way to Shur the angel of the Lord found her, charged her to return and submit herself under the hands of her mistress, and delivered the remarkable prophecy respecting her unborn child recorded in…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Stranger, an Egyptian bondmaid in the household of Sarah, Ge 12:16, who, being barren, gave her to Abraham for a secondary wife, that by her, as a substitute, she might have children in accordance with the customs of the East in that age. The history of Hagar is given in Ge 16:1-16; 17:1-27; 21:1-34. In an allegory, Paul makes Hagar represent the Jewish church, which was in bondage to the ceremonial law; as Sarah represents the true church of Christ, which is free from this bondage, Ga 4:24. Her name is much honored among the Arabs claiming to be her descendants.

and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
שִׁפְחַ֥תshif.Chat [the] maidservant of H8198 Noun common · feminine singular construct
63× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A shiphchah was a female slave or servant in a household, often belonging to a mistress. This term is used to describe a lowly position, and is sometimes used as a term of humility or respect.
Tyndale gloss
maidservant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שִׁפְחָה (shiphchah) refers to a maid or maid-servant, often indicating a female slave within a household. It derives from a root meaning to spread out, suggesting a role in family or domestic settings. The term can also imply humility in certain contexts, but the primary focus remains on servitude.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שִׁפְחָה n.f. maid, maid-servant

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8198 שִׁפְחָה maid, maid-servant

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8198 shiphchah shif-khaw'

feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a

family; see 4940); a female slave (as a member of the

household):--(bond-, hand-)maid(-en, -servant), wench,

bondwoman, womanservant.

see HEBREW for 04940

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שִׁפְחָה (shiph.chah) — maidservant.

1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl

1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress)

1b) of address, speaker, humility (fig)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular construct
HNcfsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
שָׂרַ֛יsa.Rai Sarai H8297 Noun proper feminine
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sarai was Abraham's wife, first mentioned in Genesis 11:29, and her name means princess, later changed to Sarah.
Tyndale gloss
Sarai
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂרַי (Saray) refers to the wife of Abram, later known as Sarah. The name is derived from a root meaning 'dominative' and is associated with the meaning 'princess.' Sarai is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29 and is the mother of Isaac. She is also noted as the sister of Abram and the daughter of Terah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂרַי n.pr.f. wife of Abram

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8297 שָׂרַי wife of Abram

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8297 Saray saw-rah'-ee

from 8269; dominative; Sarai, the wife of Abraham:--Sarai.

see HEBREW for 08269

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂרַי (sa.ray) — Sarai.

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.29;

daughter of: Terah (H8646);

sister of: Abraham (H0085), Nahor (H5152H) and Haran (H2039); married to Abraham (H0085);

mother of: Isaac (H3327); also called Sarai at Gen.11.29,30,31; 12.5,11,17; 16.1,2,3,5,6,8; 17.15;

Another name of sa.rah (שָׂרָה "Sarah" H8283)

§ Sarai = "princess"

original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper feminine
HNpf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sarai

My princess, the name originally borne by Sarah (Gen. 11:31; 17:15).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(my princess) the original name of Sarah wife of Abraham.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

my lady; my princess

and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
אֵֽי־'ei- where? H335 Particle
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for where or how, used to ask questions about location or method, as seen in various Bible translations, including how, what, or which way.
Amplified meaning
from what place or source
Tyndale gloss
where?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַי (ay) is an interrogative adverb meaning 'where?' It can also be prefixed to other adverbs or pronouns to add an interrogative force. The word covers a range of meanings related to location and inquiry, including 'how,' 'what,' and 'whence.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אַי]

interrog. adv. where?

prefixed to other adverbs or prons., אַי imparts an interrog. force

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H335 אַי . interrog. adv. where?

. prefixed to other adverbs or prons., אַי imparts an interrog. force

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

335 'ay ah'ee

perhaps from 370; where? hence how?:--how, what, whence,

where, whether, which (way).

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַי (ay) — where?.

1) whereto ?, whence?

2) which?, how? (in prefix with other adverb)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTi
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
מִזֶּ֥הmi.Zeh from this H2088 Preposition · particle
1,180× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here

standing alone

In appos. to subst.

More oft. as pred.

It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

With prefixes (in special senses)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone

. In appos. to subst.

. More oft. as pred.

. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.

. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)

. With prefixes (in special senses)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2088 zeh zeh

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this

or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the

one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,

such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on

that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,

2098.

see HEBREW for 02063

see HEBREW for 02090

see HEBREW for 02097

see HEBREW for 02098

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

זֶה (zeh) — this.

1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such

1a) (alone)

1a1) this one

1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another

1b) (appos to subst)

1b1) this

1c) (as predicate)

1c1) this, such

1d) (enclitically)

1d1) then

1d2) who, whom

1d3) how now, what now

1d4) what now

1d5) wherefore now

1d6) behold here

1d7) just now

1d8) now, now already

1e) (poetry)

1e1) wherein, which, those who

1f) (with prefixes)

1f1) in this (place) here, then

1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter

1f3) thus and thus

1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus

1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side

1f6) on this account

1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Tm — Preposition · particle
HR/Tm
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
בָ֖אתvat have you come H935 Verb · Qal · perfect second person feminine singular
2,573× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Tyndale gloss
Lebo
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go

Qal

come in

come (approach, arrive)

go, i.e. walk, associate with

go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

Hiph.

cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

Hoph.

be brought in (of pers. and things)

be brought

be introduced, put

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in

. come (approach, arrive)

. go, i.e. walk, associate with

. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given

. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)

. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)

. . be brought in (of pers. and things)

. be brought

. be introduced, put

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

935 bow' bo

a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of

applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +

besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X

certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,

upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,

(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be

fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),

grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,

pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken

(in age), X surely, take (in), way.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.

: come/go_in

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

1a5) to go

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to lead in

1b2) to carry in

1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon

1b4) to bring to pass

1c) (Hophal)

1c1) to be brought, brought in

1c2) to be introduced, be put

לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).

This name means to go in, enter

Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)

בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.

: towards/entrance

1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to enter, come in

1a2) to come

1a2a) to come with

1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)

1a2c) to come to pass

1a3) to attain to

1a4) to be enumerated

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-2fs — Verb · Qal · perfect second person feminine singular
HVqp2fs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kum: The translation of many Hebrew and Greek words. In the phrase "The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him" (Jud 14:6,19; 15:14; 1Sa 10:10; 11:6; 16:13), the word is tsaleah; Jud 14:6; 15:14 "came mightily," which is the uniform translation of the Revised Version (British and American) (compare Jud 13:25 "to move," i.e. to disturb or stir up). In Jud 6:34; 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20, it is labhesh, "to clothe"; the Revised Version, margin "The Spirit .... clothed itself with Gideon" and .... "with Zechariah,"…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
וְאָ֣נָהve.'A.nah and where? H575 Conjunction · particle
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'where' is used to ask about location or direction, like in Genesis 3:9 and Exodus 2:13. It can also mean 'when' or 'how long'.
Amplified meaning
to what destination or purpose
Tyndale gloss
where?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָן (an) is an adverb meaning 'where?' or 'whither?'. It can also refer to time, asking 'when?' or 'how long?'. The word is derived from a root meaning to indicate place or time, and it is used in contexts that inquire about location or duration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָן adv. where? or whither?

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H575 אָן where? or whither?

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

575 'an awn

or manah {aw-naw'}; contracted from 370; where?; hence,

whither?, when?; also hither and thither:--+ any (no)

whither, now, where, whither(-soever).

see HEBREW for 0370

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָן (an) — where?.

1) where?, whither? (of place)

2) when?, until when?, how long? (of time)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particle
HC/Ti
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
תֵלֵ֑כִיte.Le.khi are you going H1980 Verb · Qal · imperfect second person feminine singular
1,549× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Tyndale gloss
to go: walk
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk

Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך

lit.

of persons

Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

in like manner of inanimate things

The inf. abs. is often used

as in other vbs., quite independently

to intensify meaning of finite form

most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.

with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance

twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

quite by itself

13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

In combination with other verbal forms

Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:

pass away, die

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons

. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations

. in like manner of inanimate things

. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently

. to intensify meaning of finite form

. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance

. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)

. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance

. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion

. quite by itself

. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.

. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.

. In combination with other verbal forms

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1980 halak haw-lak'

akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety

of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,

apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,

depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,

forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,

out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,

march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),

be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,

still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,

on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,

(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.

see HEBREW for 03212

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.

: went/go[away]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.

: come[nearer]

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

1c2) to walk about

1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk

הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.

: walk/move

1) to go, walk, come

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away

1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to walk

1b2) to walk (fig.)

1c) (Hithpael)

1c1) to traverse

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqi2fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person feminine singular
HVqi2fs
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
וַתֹּ֕אמֶרva.To.mer and she said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

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)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singular
Hc/Vqw3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
מִפְּנֵי֙mi.pe.Nei from before H6440 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
2,127× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Tyndale gloss
face
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces

face, faces

presence, person

technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

face of seraphim

face of animals

face (= surface) of ground

as adv.loc. before

for other phrases

with prepositions

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces

. . presence, person

. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence

. face of seraphim

. face of animals

. face (= surface) of ground

. as adv. loc. before

. for other phrases

. with prepositions

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6440 paniym paw-neem'

plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh

{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);

used in a great variety of applications (literally and

figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a

preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),

against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),

+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,

face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er

time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +

honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +

meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,

open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,

presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right

forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,

X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.

: before/to/front

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.

: face

1) face

1a) face, faces

1b) presence, person

1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)

1d) face (of animals)

1e) face, surface (of ground)

1f) as adv of loc/temp

1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before

1g) with prep

1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct
HR/Ncmpc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
שָׂרַ֣יsa.Rai Sarai H8297 Noun proper feminine
17× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Sarai was Abraham's wife, first mentioned in Genesis 11:29, and her name means princess, later changed to Sarah.
Tyndale gloss
Sarai
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׂרַי (Saray) refers to the wife of Abram, later known as Sarah. The name is derived from a root meaning 'dominative' and is associated with the meaning 'princess.' Sarai is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29 and is the mother of Isaac. She is also noted as the sister of Abram and the daughter of Terah.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂרַי n.pr.f. wife of Abram

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8297 שָׂרַי wife of Abram

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8297 Saray saw-rah'-ee

from 8269; dominative; Sarai, the wife of Abraham:--Sarai.

see HEBREW for 08269

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂרַי (sa.ray) — Sarai.

A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.29;

daughter of: Terah (H8646);

sister of: Abraham (H0085), Nahor (H5152H) and Haran (H2039); married to Abraham (H0085);

mother of: Isaac (H3327); also called Sarai at Gen.11.29,30,31; 12.5,11,17; 16.1,2,3,5,6,8; 17.15;

Another name of sa.rah (שָׂרָה "Sarah" H8283)

§ Sarai = "princess"

original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper feminine
HNpf
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sarai

My princess, the name originally borne by Sarah (Gen. 11:31; 17:15).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(my princess) the original name of Sarah wife of Abraham.

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

my lady; my princess

and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
גְּבִרְתִּ֔יge.vir.Ti mistress my H1404 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
9× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means 'lady' or 'mistress', referring to a woman of high social status, such as a queen or the mistress of a household. It is used to describe women like the Queen of Sheba or the mistress of a large estate.
Amplified meaning
lady, female master
Tyndale gloss
lady
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גְּבֶ֫רֶת (gbereth) refers to a lady or queen and can also mean a mistress of servants. It is a feminine form derived from another Hebrew word, גֶּבֶר (geber), which relates to strength or manhood. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to female authority and status.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גְּבֶ֫רֶת n.f.

lady, queen

mistress of servants

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1404 גְּבֶ֫רֶת . lady, queen

. mistress of servants

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1404 gbereth gheb-eh'-reth

feminine of 1376; mistress:--lady, mistress.

see HEBREW for 01376

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גְּבֶ֫רֶת (ge.ve.ret) — lady.

1) lady, queen

2) mistress (of servants)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
אָנֹכִ֖י'a.no.Khi I H595 Pronoun
359× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Tyndale gloss
I
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָֽנֹכִ֫י (*anokiy*) is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is a variant spelling of אֲנִי (*ani*), which also means 'I.' The entries confirm its use as a personal pronoun without significant disagreement among lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי pron. 1s. comm. I

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H595 אָֽנֹכִ֫י, אָנֹ֑כִי I

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

595 'anokiy aw-no-kee'

sometimes {aw-no'-kee}; a primitive pro.; I:--I, me, X

which.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָֽנֹכִ֫י (a.no.khi) — I.

I (first pers. sing.)

Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp1bs
and he said O Hagar [the] maidservant of Sarai where? from this have you come and where? are you going and she said from before Sarai mistress my I [am] fleeing
בֹּרַֽחַת׃bo.Ra.chat [am] fleeing H1272 Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine singular
65× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To flee means to run away quickly, as seen in the Bible when people escaped from danger or pursued others, like in the story of David and Absalom.
Amplified meaning
fleeing, escaping
Tyndale gloss
to flee
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּרַח (barach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flee or run away. It can also imply going through or hastening, with different nuances in its forms, such as causing someone to flee in the Hiphil stem. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including sudden flight or urgency.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בָּרַח vb. go through, flee

Qal

go or pass through, of bar

flee

flee = hasten, come quickly

Hiph.

pass through

cause to flee, put to flight

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1272 בָּרַח go through, flee

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1272 barach baw-rakh'

a primitive root; to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee

suddenly:--chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to

flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּרַח (ba.rach) — to flee.

1) to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to go, pass through

1a2) to flee

1a3) to hasten, come quickly

1b) (Hiphil)

1b1) to pass through

1b2) to cause to flee, put to flight

1b3) to drive away

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) feminine singular
HVqrfsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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