Biblical Profile: Hagar

Hagar

Hagar was the Egyptian servant of Sarai, Abram’s wife. When God commanded Abram to leave Mesopotamia, he promised him a multitude of descendants who would be given a new land (Gen 12:2, 7). After ten childless years in Canaan, Sarai followed a customary Mesopotamian practice by giving Hagar to Abram as his concubine; any son born of the union of husband and concubine was considered the wife’s child (cp. 30:1-8).

Hagar got pregnant and became disrespectful to Sarai during her pregnancy. Sarai responded by dealing harshly with her, and Hagar fled into the desert (16:4-6). The angel of the Lord appeared to her at a desert well, telling her to return to Abram’s house and submit to Sarai.

Hagar bore a son, Ishmael, when Abram was eighty-six years old (16:1-16).

Fourteen years later, God gave Abraham and Sarah their promised son, Isaac. When Isaac was weaned (at about three years), a traditional feast was held. At this event, Ishmael mocked Isaac (21:9), so Sarah insisted that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. God affirmed this action (21:12), so Hagar and Ishmael were sent away to wander in the wilderness of Beersheba. When their water was gone, God miraculously rescued them and assured Hagar that Ishmael would father a great nation (21:17-19).

Paul made an analogy (Gal 4:22-31) in which Hagar represents Mount Sinai, where the old covenant was formed, while Sarah represents the heavenly Jerusalem, the community of those who receive salvation by faith in Christ. As Isaac was Abraham’s son by faith in the divine promise, Christians who are free of the law are spiritual children of Sarah.

Passages for Further Study

Gen 16:1-16; 21:9-21; 25:12; Gal 4:22-31