Genesis 16:6

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

And Abram saith unto Sarai, `Lo, thine handmaid [is] in thine hand, do to her that which is good in thine eyes;` and Sarai afflicted her, and she fleeth from her presence.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Abram allows Sarai to treat Hagar harshly, and when Sarai does so, Hagar runs away. Abram gives Sarai control over Hagar, leading to Hagar's escape.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who is not nice to another friend. The friend who is being mean gets to decide what happens, and the other friend feels so bad that they run away to find a safer place. That's what happened here with Sarai, Hagar, and Abram.

Historical Background

This passage is from the book of Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses. It was written around 1446-1406 BCE and provides insight into the patriarchal society and relationships during that time, where women had limited rights and power.

Living It Out Today

Today, this can be seen in abusive relationships where one person has control over another and mistreats them. It reminds us to seek healthy relationships and advocate for those who are being mistreated.

Topics

abusecontrolrelationshipspatriarchywomen's rightsescape

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Sarai treat Hagar so harshly?

Sarai treated Hagar harshly because Hagar was the mother of Sarai's son, Ishmael, and Sarai felt threatened or jealous.

What can we learn about power dynamics from this verse?

This verse highlights the dangers of power imbalances and how they can lead to abuse and mistreatment in relationships.

How does this relate to today's issues?

This verse relates to contemporary issues of abuse and power dynamics in relationships, reminding us to advocate for those who are being mistreated.

What was Abram's role in this situation?

Abram allowed Sarai to have control over Hagar, essentially giving permission for the mistreatment, which shows a lack of protection for Hagar.

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