7 And a messenger of Jehovah findeth her by the fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way 'to' Shur, 8 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.' 9 And the messenger of Jehovah saith to her, 'Turn back unto thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hands;'
10 and the messenger of Jehovah saith to her, 'Multiplying I multiply thy seed, and it is not numbered from multitude;' 11 and the messenger of Jehovah saith to her, 'Behold thou 'art' conceiving, and bearing a son, and hast called his name Ishmael, for Jehovah hath hearkened unto thine affliction; 12 and he is a wild-ass man, his hand against every one, and every one's hand against him—and before the face of all his brethren he dwelleth.' 13 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?' 14 therefore hath one called the well, 'The well of the Living One, my beholder;' lo, between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar beareth to Abram a son; and Abram calleth the name of his son, whom Hagar hath borne, Ishmael; 16 and Abram 'is' a son of eighty and six years in Hagar's bearing Ishmael to Abram.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 16:7-16
Commentary on Genesis 16:7-16
(Read Genesis 16:7-16)
Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we are, would often teach us our duty. Inquiring whence we came, would show us our sin and folly. Considering whither we shall go, discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their space and duty, must hasten their return, how mortifying soever it be. The declaration of the Angel, "I will," shows this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God. Hagar could not but admire the Lord's mercy, and feel, Have I, who am so unworthy, been favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord? She was brought to a better temper, returned, and by her behaviour softened Sarai, and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!