Genesis 16:16
Genesis 16:16 in Multiple Translations
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael.
Abram was 86 when Hagar had Ishmael.
And Abram was foure score and sixe yeere olde, when Hagar bare him Ishmael.
and Abram [is] a son of eighty and six years in Hagar's bearing Ishmael to Abram.
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
And Abram was eighty six years old, when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth Ismael.
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar gave birth to Abram’s son Ishmael.
Abram was 86 years old at the time when Ishmael was born.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 16:16
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 16:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַבְרָ֕ם
בֶּן
שְׁמֹנִ֥ים
שָׁנָ֖ה
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
שָׁנִ֑ים
בְּ/לֶֽדֶת
הָגָ֥ר
אֶת
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
לְ/אַבְרָֽם
וְ/אַבְרָ֕ם
ʼAbrâm
H87
Abram
Conj | N-proper
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
שְׁמֹנִ֥ים
shᵉmônîym
H8084
eighty
Adj
שָׁנָ֖ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Conj | Adj
שָׁנִ֑ים
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fp
בְּ/לֶֽדֶת
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הָגָ֥ר
Hâgâr
H1904
Hagar
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
Yishmâʻêʼl
H3458
Ishmael
N-proper
לְ/אַבְרָֽם
ʼAbrâm
H87
Abram
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 16:16
וְ/אַבְרָ֕ם
ʼAbrâm
H87
"Abram"
Conj | N-proper
Abram was the original name of Abraham, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Terah, brother of Nahor and Haran, and husband of Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah, as told in Genesis 11:26--17:5.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989); father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x Another name of av.ra.ham (אַבְרָהָם "Abraham" H0085) § Abram = "exalted father" original name of Abraham
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: Abram. See also: Genesis 11:26; Genesis 14:13; Nehemiah 9:7.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שְׁמֹנִ֥ים
shᵉmônîym
H8084
"eighty"
Adj
This Hebrew word means eighty or eightieth, used in numbers and counting. It appears in the Bible to describe quantities and ages. In Genesis and other books, it is used to count people, animals, and years.
Definition: 1) eighty, fourscore 1a) eighty (as cardinal number) 1b) eightieth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: eighty(-ieth), fourscore. See also: Genesis 5:25; 2 Kings 19:35; Psalms 90:10.
שָׁנָ֖ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
שָׁנִ֑ים
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fp
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
בְּ/לֶֽדֶת
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
הָגָ֥ר
Hâgâr
H1904
"Hagar"
N-proper
Hagar was a slave girl from Egypt who became Abraham's concubine and the mother of Ishmael. Her name means 'flight' and she is an important figure in the book of Genesis, where her story is told in chapters 16 and 21.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.16.1; married to Abraham (H0085); mother of: Ishmael (H3458) Also named: Agar (Ἄγαρ "Hagar" G0028) § Hagar = "flight" Sarah's Egyptian slave girl, Abraham's concubine, Ishmael's mother
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Hagar. See also: Genesis 16:1; Genesis 16:16; Genesis 25:12.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
Yishmâʻêʼl
H3458
"Ishmael"
N-proper
Ishmael means God will hear, and refers to Abraham's son with Hagar, as well as several other Israelites. He is mentioned in Genesis and Ezra. Ishmael is considered the progenitor of the Arabian peoples.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.22 § Ishmael = "God will hear" 1) son of Abraham and Sarah's handmaid Hagar and the progenitor of the Arabian peoples 2) son of Nethaniah and the murderer of Gedaliah 3) a Benjamite, one of the sons of Azel a descendant of Saul through Meribbaal or Mephibosheth 4) a Judaite, father of Zebadiah 5) a Judaite, son of Johanan and one of the captains who aided Jehoiada in restoring Joash to the throne 6) a priest of the family of Pashur with a foreign wife whom he was forced to put away by Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Ishmael. See also: Genesis 16:11; 2 Chronicles 19:11; Jeremiah 40:8.
לְ/אַבְרָֽם
ʼAbrâm
H87
"Abram"
Prep | N-proper
Abram was the original name of Abraham, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Terah, brother of Nahor and Haran, and husband of Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah, as told in Genesis 11:26--17:5.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989); father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x Another name of av.ra.ham (אַבְרָהָם "Abraham" H0085) § Abram = "exalted father" original name of Abraham
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: Abram. See also: Genesis 11:26; Genesis 14:13; Nehemiah 9:7.
Study Notes — Genesis 16:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Hagar and Ishmael
14Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi. It is located between Kadesh and Bered.
15And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.
16Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.
Genesis 16:16 Summary
Genesis 16:16 tells us that Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar, his wife's servant, gave birth to Ishmael. This verse reminds us that God's timing is not always our own, and that He can bring about miracles and fulfill promises even when we least expect it, as seen in Genesis 18:14 and Genesis 21:1-2. Abram's story teaches us to trust in God's plan and timing, even when it seems slow or uncertain, and to have faith that He will fulfill His promises to us, just as He did for Abram. By looking at Abram's life, we can learn to wait patiently on God and trust in His goodness, as mentioned in Psalm 27:14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abram have a child with Hagar, his wife's servant?
Abram had a child with Hagar because his wife, Sarai, was unable to conceive, and she gave Hagar to Abram as a wife, as seen in Genesis 16:3, in an attempt to fulfill God's promise of an heir, as mentioned in Genesis 15:4.
How old was Abram when Ishmael was born?
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him, as stated in Genesis 16:16.
What does the birth of Ishmael signify in the biblical narrative?
The birth of Ishmael signifies the beginning of a new lineage and a fulfillment of God's promise to Abram to make him the father of many nations, as seen in Genesis 17:20, although it was not the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a son through Sarai, as mentioned in Genesis 17:16.
Is the age of Abram at Ishmael's birth significant?
Yes, Abram's age at Ishmael's birth highlights the miraculous nature of the birth, as well as God's patience and timing, as Abram had been waiting for many years for the fulfillment of God's promise, as mentioned in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 15:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What can I learn from Abram's decision to have a child with Hagar, and how can I apply it to my own life when faced with uncertainty or unfulfilled promises?
- How does the birth of Ishmael relate to God's overall plan of salvation, and what does it reveal about His character?
- In what ways can I, like Abram, trust in God's timing and promises, even when they seem delayed or uncertain?
- What are some ways that I can, like Abram, demonstrate faith and patience in the face of unfulfilled expectations or promises?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 16:16
And Abram [was] eighty years old when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 16:16
16. fourscore and six years old] An instance of P’s careful computation of chronology. Compare the statements in Genesis 16:3 and Genesis 12:4 with the years given here.