Translation commentary on Genesis 16:1

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children: Now is used in English here as a transition marker to indicate that a new story is beginning. Many modern English versions do not use Now to show this transition. The white space and the chapter number tend to make the transition obvious for English readers, whether a heading is used or not. Some languages, however, require a marker to show that a new story is beginning. Others may require a story opening such as “Here is what happened between Sarai and her maid.” In some languages the most natural way to begin is to use the indication of time, which is actually found at the beginning of Gen 16.3. For example, one translation begins: “Well, Abram had been living in the land of Canaan for ten years, and still his wife Sarai didn’t have any children.”

For wife see comments on 2.24.

Bore … children translates the verb meaning “to give birth.” The narrator picks this information up from 11.30, “Now Sarai was barren; she had no child,” and repeats it here as necessary background to the conflict that now arises. In that society the barren woman suffered disgrace, but it was considered to be God who caused the condition. See the parallel case of Rachel in 30.1-24, and also that of Hannah in 1 Sam 1.6. See also children as God’s gift in 33.5; Psa 127.3. It is significant that the LORD, who had promised Abram a son, is the one who is withholding the coming of this son. Sarai’s proposal in verse 2 is a human attempt to solve the problem of her barrenness.

She had an Egyptian maid: the sense is that Sarai owned, possessed, had at her command a female slave. Sarai appears to have had special rights over Hagar, and Abram’s relation to Hagar was given by the authority of Sarai. Abram did not himself have the right of ownership over Hagar. In translation a descriptive phrase such as “a young woman who worked for her” would be inadequate. The expression should make clear that Sarai has complete authority and control over Hagar; for example, “Sarai owned a young Egyptian slave” or “A young Egyptian woman belonged to Sarai.”

Whose name was Hagar: this name has been variously interpreted, but the only thing that is fairly certain is that it was a female personal name.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

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