Genesis 16:16 (KJV)

What does Genesis 16:16 mean?

Genesis 16:16 states that Abram was 86 years old when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. This verse marks a specific moment in Abram’s life, highlighting his age at the time his son Ishmael was born through Hagar.

Genesis 16:16 comes at the end of the story where Sarai, Abram’s wife, gives her servant Hagar to Abram so they might have a child. The verse is a historical note, emphasizing Abram’s age and the timing of Ishmael’s birth, which sets the stage for later events in Abram’s family and in the broader biblical story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 16:16

• "fourscore" (שְׁמֹנִים, shemonim) and "six" (שֵׁשׁ, shesh): These words are used together to specify Abram’s age as 86. The Hebrew way of expressing numbers often combines words for clarity, showing attention to detail in recording ages.
• "bare" (יָלַד, yalad): This verb means "to give birth." In this context, it underscores that Hagar is the one who physically gave birth to Ishmael, making the family relationships clear.

Why Genesis 16:16 matters

• Genesis 16:16 clarifies the timeline of Abram’s life, showing exactly how old he was when Ishmael was born, which helps readers track the unfolding of God’s promises to Abram.
• The verse highlights that Ishmael was born before Isaac, which becomes important for understanding later family dynamics and the fulfillment of promises in Genesis.
• By stating Abram’s age, Genesis 16:16 emphasizes the long wait Abram and Sarai experienced before having children, setting up the significance of Isaac’s later birth.