Some confusion may arise in the transition from verse 16 to verse 17 unless an adjustment is made. At the end of verse 16 it is Hagar who is crying, whereas in verse 17 God hears not Hagar but Ishmael. Therefore to make this transition clear it may be necessary to say at the beginning of verse 17 “Later,” “Soon,” “After a while.” Many modern translations attempt to make a transition by starting a new paragraph at verse 17. This may not be sufficient in some languages.
And God heard the voice of the lad: heard is used twice in this verse and is probably a play on Ishmael’s name. See also 16.11; 17.20. God heard means not only that he was aware that the child was crying, but also that he would provide a solution to his problem. In some languages this other element may need to be added to the normal term for “hear,” to avoid the sense of a passive kind of hearing.
For lad see verse 12. See also comments on “child” in verse 14.
And the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven: angel of God is usually expressed elsewhere as “angel of the LORD.” For discussion see 16.7, 9, 10, 11. In this case the voice of the angel speaks from heaven. This contrasts with the previous cases of angels who appear on earth.
Said to her is followed by a question and must often be rendered “asked her.”
What troubles you is literally “What to you?” The sense is well conveyed in English by Revised English Bible: “What is the matter?” The question does not receive a reply, and this should be noted in selecting a suitable way to translate the question. In a number of languages it will be possible to use an appropriate colloquial expression such as “What’s wrong, Hagar?” or “What’s up, Hagar?”
Fear not: that is, “Don’t be afraid.” The reason Hagar should not be afraid is that God has heard the voice of the lad. In verse 17 God’s hearing is a sympathetic hearing that brings about a solution or assurance of being rescued.
Where he is: scholars differ in their interpretation of this phrase; literally “in [or, concerning] which he is there.” Some, like Revised English Bible, hold that it means “under the bush where Hagar put him.” Others hold that it refers to Ishmael’s physical condition; New Jerusalem Bible “in his plight” represents this interpretation. Translations such as Good News Translation “God has heard the boy crying” also follow the second interpretation. Translators may use either interpretation.
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 .