But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abram's response, "Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please," doesn't just give Sarai permission, but it subtly signals that Hagar is being returned to her original status as Sarai's servant, not Abram's secondary wife, effectively undoing the earlier arrangement. This is underscored by Sarai's harsh treatment, which wasn't merely punishment but a deliberate act to humble Hagar and reinforce her subordinate position.
But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Sarai's failed attempt to have a child through Hagar, and Hagar's subsequent disrespect towards Sarai, Abram gives Sarai full authority to discipline Hagar as she sees fit. Sarai then treats Hagar harshly, leading Hagar to flee from her mistress's presence.
Abram and Sarai thought they had a foolproof plan to get a child. But their solution quickly unraveled, revealing a deeper problem.
In Genesis 16, Abram and Sarai, desperate for an heir, decided to have a child through Hagar, Sarai's servant. This wasn't God's plan, but their own attempt to 'help' God fulfill His promise.
What does it mean to 'deal harshly' with someone, especially when they are pregnant and vulnerable? This verse shows the breaking point of a relationship.
The phrase 'dealt harshly with her' (or 'afflicted her') in verse 6 points to a severe mistreatment of Hagar by Sarai.
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Understand the original words
shiphchah · Hebrew Noun
A female slave or bondwoman, often one who performs domestic duties. In the ancient Near Eastern context, her status was subservient to the wife of the household.
anah · Hebrew Verb
To treat with severity, oppression, or affliction. It carries the sense of humbling or bringing into a state of distress or misery.
This event unfolds within the context of Abram and Sarai's long wait for the promised heir. Their impatience and Sarai's resulting harsh treatment of Hagar highlight the human struggle to align with God's timing and methods, leading to the birth of Ishmael, whose lineage would become a significant force in history, forever intertwined with that of the covenant line.
c. 2100 BC
Abram leaves Ur
Abram and his family migrate from Ur of the Chaldeans, beginning their journey to Canaan under God's call.
c. 2093 BC
Abram settles in Canaan
Abram and his household establish themselves in the land of Canaan, a period marked by famine and divine reassurance.
c. 2083 BC
Ten years in Canaan
Abram has lived in Canaan for ten years, and Sarai, still childless, proposes a drastic measure to fulfill God's promise of offspring.
c. 2083 BC
Hagar taken as concubine
Sarai gives her Egyptian handmaid Hagar to Abram as a concubine. Hagar conceives, leading to her despising Sarai.
c. 2083 BC— this verse
Sarai deals harshly with Hagar
Following Hagar's conception and subsequent insolence, Sarai harshly ill-treats her handmaid, leading to Hagar's flight.
c. 2083 BC
Angel finds Hagar
An angel of the Lord encounters Hagar in the wilderness, giving her instructions to return and promising descendants.
c. 2083 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Hagar bears Abram a son, Ishmael, at the age of 86, fulfilling part of the divine promise but not the primary covenant lineage.
This passage directly references the story of Hagar and Ishmael, contrasting those born 'according to the flesh' (like Ishmael) with those born 'according to the Spirit' (like Isaac).
Genesis 21:10This verse shows the continuation of the conflict between Sarah and Hagar, directly stemming from the events initiated here, leading to Hagar and Ishmael's expulsion.
Proverbs 28:13This proverb speaks to the principle of confessing and forsaking sins, which Hagar would eventually do when the angel found her, leading to a different outcome than if she had continued in her harsh flight.
James 1:15This verse describes how sin, conceived through desire and impatience, leads to death, paralleling Sarai's sinful impatience and harsh treatment of Hagar, which led to conflict and flight.
gillGenesis 16:6: "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."
But Abram said unto Sarai,.... In a meek, mild and gentle manner: behold, thy maid is in thine hand; though Hagar was Abram's secondary wife he still considers her as Sarai's maid, and as subject to her, and allows her to exercise authority over her; for he still retained the same love and affection for Sarai, his first and lawf…
clarkeGenesis 16:6: "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."
Sarah dealt hardly with her - תאנה teanneha, she afflicted her; the term implying stripes and hard usage, to bring down the body and humble the mind. If the slave was to blame in this business the mistress is not less liable to censure. She alone had brought her into those circumstances, in which it was natural for her to value…
Abram's response, "Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please," doesn't just give Sarai permission, but it subtly signals that Hagar is being returned to her original status as Sarai's servant, not Abram's secondary wife, effectively undoing the earlier arrangement. This is underscored by Sarai's harsh treatment, which wasn't merely punishment but a deliberate act to humble Hagar and reinforce her subordinate position.
After Sarai's failed attempt to have a child through Hagar, and Hagar's subsequent disrespect towards Sarai, Abram gives Sarai full authority to discipline Hagar as she sees fit. Sarai then treats Hagar harshly, leading Hagar to flee from her mistress's presence.
After Sarai's failed attempt to have a child through Hagar, and Hagar's subsequent disrespect towards Sarai, Abram gives Sarai full authority to discipline Hagar as she sees fit. Sarai then treats Hagar harshly, leading Hagar to flee from her mistress's presence.
"But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her." — Abram's response, "Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please," doesn't just give Sarai permission, but it subtly signals that Hagar is being returned to her original status as Sa…
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Last reviewed October 2026