And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

GENESIS 16:4KJV
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Genesis 16:4 (KJV)

What does Genesis 16:4 mean?

Genesis 16:4 describes how Abram slept with Hagar, who then became pregnant. When Hagar realized she was expecting, she began to look down on Sarai, her mistress, seeing her with less respect.

In this story, Abram and Sarai could not have children, so Sarai gave her servant Hagar to Abram as a wife to bear a child on her behalf. After Hagar conceived, the relationship between Hagar and Sarai changed—Hagar’s new status as a pregnant woman led her to view Sarai differently, which created tension and conflict in the household.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 16:4

  • "Despised" (קָלַל, qālal): This word means to treat lightly or with contempt. Here, it shows that Hagar’s attitude toward Sarai shifted from respect to looking down on her, likely because Hagar now carried what Sarai could not—Abram’s child.
  • "Mistress" (גְּבֶרֶת, geveret): This term refers to a woman of authority over servants. The verse highlights the reversal in their relationship, as Hagar, though still a servant, now feels superior in some way to Sarai.
  • "Eyes" (עַיִן, ayin): In Hebrew, to be "despised in her eyes" means Hagar’s perception of Sarai changed. It’s about how Hagar saw and regarded Sarai, not just her outward actions.

Why Genesis 16:4 matters

  • This verse explains the beginning of the conflict between Hagar and Sarai, which shapes much of the story that follows in Genesis 16.
  • The verse highlights how changes in status and circumstances can affect relationships, especially when social roles and expectations are involved.
  • Understanding the original words helps clarify that the problem was not just jealousy, but a shift in respect and authority within the household.

Where else these words appear

“mistress” Hebrew H1404 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 16:8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
  • 2 Kings 5:3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
  • Isaiah 24:2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

“Hagar” Hebrew H1904 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
  • Genesis 16:15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
  • Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

“conceived” Hebrew H2029 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 30:19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

“despised” Hebrew H7043 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • 2 Samuel 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
  • Psalms 109:28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.