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 16:5KJV
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Genesis 16:5 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“Sarai” Hebrew H8297 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 11:29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
  • Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
  • Genesis 16:3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

“bosom” Hebrew H2436 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 4:6 And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
  • 1 Kings 17:19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
  • Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

“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.

“Abram” Hebrew H87 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?