Sarah and Hagar are two important women in the biblical narrative of Abraham and his family. Though Sarah was Abraham’s wife, Hagar was her handmaid. The relationship between Sarah and Hagar illustrates the complex family dynamics of biblical times. Their story raises issues of marriage, fertility, class, race, and God’s promises. Examining the biblical account of Sarah and Hagar provides insight into the ancient worldview and values.
Sarah’s Background
Sarah, originally named Sarai, was the wife of Abraham (originally named Abram). According to Genesis 11:29-31, Sarai and Abram were from Ur of the Chaldeans, and they set out together from there with Abram’s father Terah. After some time living in Haran, God called Abram at age 75 to go to the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1-5). Sarai went with him. Though childless, Sarai was considered extraordinarily beautiful, as Abraham feared he would be killed by a king who wanted her for his harem (Genesis 12:10-20).
At age 99, God established his covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham, giving the promise that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:1-8). As part of the covenant, God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. God also promised that Sarah would give birth to a son, even though she was already 89 years old and well past childbearing age (Genesis 17:15-17). Though Abraham had another son, Ishmael, through Hagar, God’s promise specified that his covenant would be established through a son by Sarah (Genesis 17:18-21).
Hagar’s Background
The Bible first mentions Hagar in Genesis 16. She is identified as Sarai’s Egyptian servant or handmaid. As a female servant, Hagar would have been considered part of Abraham’s household property. Sarah may have acquired Hagar during their time in Egypt to escape a famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10-20).
The text does not provide any background information about Hagar’s family or origins. As an Egyptian servant she likely would have had a lower social status than Sarah and Abraham, though her position was elevated by being part of their household. Hagar is the only person in the Bible identified as Egyptian.
Sarah Gives Hagar to Abraham
Frustrated by her inability to have children, Sarah offered her servant Hagar to Abraham as a surrogate mother. As Sarah said to Abraham, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her” (Genesis 16:2).
This action reflected an ancient Near Eastern custom of using a surrogate mother to provide an heir in cases of barrenness. According to the laws of the time, the child would be considered the legal child of the father and his wife, not the surrogate mother.
Though culturally acceptable, this arrangement revealed a lack of trust by Sarah and Abraham in God’s promise to provide them a child. Rather than waiting on divine intervention, they took matters into their own hands.
Hagar Becomes Pregnant
When Hagar became pregnant, the power dynamics changed between her and Sarah. The text states, “when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress” (Genesis 16:4). Her fertility made her feel superior to barren Sarah.
In reaction to this contempt, Sarah responded harshly, saying to Abraham, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!” (Genesis 16:5).
Hagar found herself caught between the marital discord of Abraham and Sarah. The narrator does not state if Abraham took any action to address the situation.
Sarah Mistreats Hagar
In response to Hagar’s contempt, Sarah “dealt harshly” with her (Genesis 16:6). The text does not specify Sarah’s harsh treatment, but other passages indicate Hagar was abused and ran away (Genesis 16:7-8). Even as a surrogate mother, Hagar’s low social status left her vulnerable to mistreatment and exploitation.
An angel of the Lord found Hagar by a spring in the wilderness and instructed her to return to Sarah and submit to her authority. He also promised her that her son would father a great nation (Genesis 16:7-12). Hagar responded by calling God “El-roi,” meaning “the God who sees me,” recognizing that God saw her plight and intervened.
Hagar Gives Birth to Ishmael
When Hagar returned to Abraham’s household, she gave birth to a son named Ishmael, which means “God hears” (Genesis 16:15). Abraham was 86 years old when Ishmael was born (Genesis 16:15-16). Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn son, but he came from a surrogate mother.
According to God’s covenant promise, Abraham’s descendants would come specifically through a child by Sarah, not a surrogate. But Ishmael’s birth created complications regarding Abraham’s heir. Though not the covenant child, Ishmael became part of Abraham’s family.
Years Later, Sarah Gives Birth to Isaac
When Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, they miraculously conceived and Sarah gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7). The long-awaited child of the covenant promise had finally arrived. On the day that Isaac was weaned, Abraham held a great feast (Genesis 21:8).
However, on that day Ishmael was seen “laughing” or “mocking” (the Hebrew word carries both senses). In reaction, Sarah demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, saying to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac” (Genesis 21:8-10).
This incident revealed lingering tension because of Ishmael’s status. Sarah likely felt threatened that Ishmael could contest Isaac’s inheritance. Though Abraham was troubled by Sarah’s request, God affirmed to Abraham that the covenant promise would be fulfilled through Isaac (Genesis 21:11-13). God also promised to make Ishmael into a great nation (Genesis 21:13).
Hagar and Ishmael Are Sent Away
Early the next morning Abraham gave provisions and sent Hagar and Ishmael away (Genesis 21:14). The text poignantly recounts, “He sent her away with the child” (Genesis 21:14). In that patriarchal society, Hagar had no power or rights over her own son.
Wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba, Hagar eventually ran out of provisions and left Ishmael under a bush to die, unable to watch him perish (Genesis 21:14-16). But God heard Ishmael crying, and an angel provided water and renewed God’s promise to make a great nation from Ishmael (Genesis 21:17-20). Hagar and Ishmael survived in the wilderness of Paran. Abraham’s firstborn son would not die but live to carry on Abraham’s line.
Contrast in Offspring and Destiny
The Genesis narrative deliberately contrasts the offspring of Sarah with the offspring of Hagar. Ishmael was born to Hagar through human initiative when Sarah was still barren. Isaac was born miraculously to Sarah when she was long past childbearing age. God specifically promised Abraham that his covenant would be established through Sarah’s child.
Yet God also promised to bless Ishmael and make him fruitful (Genesis 17:20). Though Isaac received the messianic blessing, Ishmael received the blessing of fathering a great nation. The Arab people group traces its descent back to Ishmael.
So while the covenant promise followed through Isaac, Abraham’s blessing was evidently on both of his sons. Ishmael’s mocking perhaps foreshadowed the conflict between these branches of Abraham’s family that would persist through history. But God’s blessings included both sons.
Key Themes in the Story of Sarah and Hagar
The complex story of Sarah and Hagar reveals important themes that resonate throughout Scripture:
God’s Faithfulness to His Promises: Despite human failing and doubt, God remained faithful to fulfill His covenant with Abraham. Isaac’s miraculous birth demonstrated God’s faithfulness.
God’s Providence for All: Though the covenant continued through Isaac, God providentially cared for Hagar and Ishmael, promising to make Ishmael a great nation.
Complex Family Dynamics: The surrogate mother custom created complex family relationships, resulting in discord, jealousy, and mistreatment. Human sin tainted the family.
God Hears the Oppressed: When Hagar cried out in oppression, God heard her affliction. Those who oppress face God’s judgment, while the oppressed find His aid.
Promise and Peril in Offspring: Though Abraham was blessed with two sons, rivalry between them carried grave implications. Offspring bring both joy and testing.
The story powerfully illumines human relationships under divine sovereignty. Despite the messiness of family dynamics, God advances His redemptive plan.