הָגָר
Hagar, the mother of Ishmael
Definition
Hagar is the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah (Genesis 16:1) who becomes the mother of Abraham's first son, Ishmael (Genesis 16:15). Her story unfolds primarily in two key narratives: her initial flight from Sarah's harsh treatment (Genesis 16:6-8) and her later expulsion into the wilderness with Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-14). In both instances, she encounters God (or His angel), who sees her affliction, promises a future for her son, and provides for her survival, marking her as a significant recipient of divine revelation and care.
Biblical Usage
The name Hagar is used exclusively as a proper noun in the Old Testament, appearing only in the book of Genesis. It is used in narrative contexts detailing her role in the patriarchal story. The ten occurrences chronicle key events: her introduction as Sarah's servant (Genesis 16:1), her conception of Ishmael (Genesis 16:4, 15-16), her divine encounters in the wilderness (Genesis 16:8; 21:17), and her final expulsion from Abraham's household (Genesis 21:9, 14).
Etymology
The etymology of Hagar (הָגָר) is uncertain. It is likely of Egyptian origin, fitting her background as an Egyptian servant. Some scholars suggest a connection to the Semitic root ה-ג-ר (h-g-r), meaning 'to flee' or 'to emigrate,' which poetically reflects her story of flight and wandering. However, this is considered a popular association rather than a definitive linguistic derivation.
Semantic Range
Hagar's story is theologically significant as it presents God's care for the marginalized and the foreigner. Her encounters with 'the angel of the LORD' (Genesis 16:7-13; 21:17-18) demonstrate that God's promises and providence extend beyond the covenant line of Isaac. The apostle Paul later uses her narrative allegorically in Galatians 4:21-31 to contrast the covenant of law (Hagar) with the covenant of promise (Sarah), highlighting themes of freedom versus slavery.
As an Egyptian maidservant, Hagar occupied a vulnerable social position. Her role as a surrogate mother (Genesis 16:2) was an accepted practice in the ancient Near East when a wife was barren. Her status, however, remained that of a servant, and her son's inheritance rights were legally inferior to those of the primary wife's son, which directly fuels the conflict leading to her expulsion (Genesis 21:10).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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