Yes, Sarai suggested Abram have a child with her maid because she was barren and impatient, and she followed ancient custom.
Sarai had been unable to bear children for years, even though God had promised Abram and Sarai they would be the ancestors of a nation. As time passed, both grew impatient. Instead of waiting on God, Sarai turned to the custom of her day, which allowed a wife to have a child through her servant if she could not conceive. She believed the Lord had restrained her from bearing, so she asked Abram to go in to her maid Hagar, hoping to obtain children through her.
Genesis 16:1-2 — This passage directly records Sarai's suggestion and her reasoning, showing she acted because she had no children and followed custom.
In Genesis 16:1-2, the Bible records that Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. Sarai said to Abram, "Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her." Abram listened to Sarai's voice and agreed. The scripture also notes in Genesis 15:4-5 that God had promised Abram a son from his own body, but Sarai's action reflects her impatience and her decision to take matters into her own hands.
Les teaches that Sarai's suggestion was rooted in ancient custom, not divine instruction. He notes that in those days, if a wife could not bear children, it was acceptable for a slave girl to bear a child on her behalf. Les emphasizes that God had not said anything about this; it was "the energy of the flesh." He points out that Abram and Sarai had been waiting for years—Abram was 86 when Ishmael was born, and God hadn't fulfilled the promise until Abram was 100. Les also highlights that Ishmael was not the son of promise, but Isaac was, and that this distinction carries through Scripture.
Les explains that in ancient cultures, being childless was considered anathema, and there was nothing a woman dreaded more. The custom allowed that if a wife could not bear children, she could have a slave girl bear a child on her behalf—similar to what we call surrogate motherhood today. This was connected to the laws of Hammurabi, ancient Babylonian moral law.
Les notes that God first promised Abram that a nation would come from his body when he was about 50 years old. Then 25 years passed before he left Haran at age 75. Another 14 years went by before they decided to take matters into their own hands, and Abram was 86 when Ishmael was born. God didn't fulfill the promise until Abram was 100, so Abram waited 50 years total.
After Hagar conceived, she became proud and despised Sarai. When Hagar realized she was pregnant, her mistress was despised in her eyes. Sarai then complained to Abram, who told her to do as she pleased, and she dealt harshly with Hagar, causing Hagar to flee.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
Welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick, a 30-minute walk through the Scriptures, teaching in-depth Bible truths that change people's lives. Now here's your host, Les Feldick. Certainly So if you'll And again, for those of you that are joining us on television, we trust that we can make you feel as though you're a part of the class.
Custom of Surrogate Motherhood
Les explains that Sarai's idea was based on custom, not God's instruction, and that Abram listened to her voice.
Hagar's Conception and Pride
Les describes how Hagar became pregnant and then despised Sarai, leading to household trouble.
Sarai's Regret and Abram's Response
Les shows that Sarai regretted her mistake and blamed Abram, who passed responsibility back.
Sarai's Words and Custom
Les teaches that Sarai said the Lord restrained her from bearing, and that surrogate motherhood was an accepted custom.
Impatience and the Flesh
Les emphasizes that Abram and Sarai were impatient and acted according to the energy of the flesh, and that Ishmael was not the son of promise.
Timeline of Waiting
Les outlines the long timeline of waiting, showing Abram was 86 when Ishmael was born and 100 when Isaac came.
God’s Covenant with Abraham: Genesis 12 Bible Study Explained
And Haran was the father of Lot, who comes, of course, with Abram. Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity in Ur of the Chaldees. So one of the brothers died before they moved from Ur further to the northwest. And then verse 29, Abram and Nahor took them wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and again I'm going to use the pronunciation as it's spelled.
Genesis 16:1-2: Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
This is the direct passage where Sarai makes her suggestion and Abram agrees.
Genesis 16:4-6: And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 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. But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
This shows the consequences of Sarai's plan: Hagar's pride and Sarai's harsh treatment.
Yes, Les explains that it was a custom very prevalent in the Orient. If a woman could not bear children, it was considered legitimate for a slave girl to bear a child on her behalf. This was connected to ancient Babylonian law, similar to what we call surrogate motherhood today.
Les notes that Abram was about 50 when God first promised him a nation. After 25 years he left Haran at 75, and another 14 years passed before they took matters into their own hands when Abram was 86. God finally fulfilled the promise with Isaac when Abram was 100, so he waited 50 years total.
Hagar conceived and became proud, despising Sarai. Sarai then treated Hagar harshly, causing Hagar to flee. Ishmael was born, but he was not the son of promise; Isaac was.
Watch the Teaching: Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study