Meet Hagar
Hagar was an Egyptian servant of Sarah who became Abraham’s concubine and the mother of Ishmael. Her strength reminds us, God sees you in the abuse and is already preparing a new world for you. She is the first person in Scripture recorded as naming God. (Genesis 16:13)
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” - Genesis 16:13
Dive a Little Deeper
Meet Her Family
Sarah
Abraham
Ishmael
FAQs
What was Hagar’s role in Abraham’s family?
Hagar was an Egyptian servant in Abraham and Sarah’s household who became part of an ancient surrogacy practice. In that culture, it was common for a wife to give her servant to her husband to bear children on her behalf. If the child survived and was weaned, the wife could claim the child as her own. This cultural framework helps explain why Hagar bore Ishmael and how her role was both relationally complex and socially structured.
Did Hagar believe in God before encountering Him in the wilderness?
Hagar likely knew of God but did not fully know Him as the one true God before her encounter in the wilderness. Coming from Egyptian culture, which practiced worship of many gods, her statement, “Now I have seen,” suggests a moment of realization and personal recognition. This encounter marks a turning point where Hagar begins to understand God in a direct and personal way.
Why did Hagar run away from Sarah?
In the retelling, we combined a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart. The Bible states that Hagar was mistreated by Sarah, but it does not specify exactly what was done. Historical context suggests that treatment of servants in that time could be severe, and laws like the Code of Ur-Nammu indicate harsh punishments for perceived disobedience. Hagar’s decision to flee into the wilderness suggests that her situation had become so unbearable that leaving—even at great personal risk—felt like the better option.
Video Teachings
Who Was Hagar
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