And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
GENESIS 16:5KJVWhat does Genesis 16:5 mean?
Genesis 16:5 shows Sarai expressing her distress to Abram after Hagar, her servant, becomes pregnant and begins to look down on her. Sarai blames Abram for the situation and appeals to God to judge between them, feeling wronged by how things have turned out.
In this verse, Sarai is speaking directly to Abram. The situation is tense: Sarai had given her servant Hagar to Abram in hopes of having a child through her, but now that Hagar is pregnant, Sarai feels disrespected and hurt. Sarai uses strong language, saying her "wrong" is upon Abram, and calls on the LORD to judge who is right in this conflict, highlighting the emotional and relational strain caused by their choices.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 16:5
- The word for "wrong" is חָמָס (ḥamas), which often means violence, injustice, or wrongdoing. Sarai is not just upset; she feels a deep personal injustice has been done to her.
- The word for "despised" is קָלַל (qalal), meaning to treat lightly or with contempt. This shows that Hagar’s attitude toward Sarai has shifted to disrespect, which is at the heart of Sarai’s complaint.
- The word for "judge" is שָׁפַט (shafat), meaning to decide or pass judgment. Sarai is appealing to God as the ultimate judge to settle the matter between her and Abram.
Why Genesis 16:5 matters
- This verse clears up that Sarai’s frustration is not just with Hagar but also directed at Abram, showing the complexity and tension in their relationship.
- The verse highlights how human plans, even when well-intentioned, can lead to unexpected and painful consequences, especially when trust and communication break down.
- Genesis 16:5 connects to the larger story by showing how the decision to involve Hagar leads to conflict, setting the stage for further developments in the lives of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar.