Genesis 16:10

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 16:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
Genesis 16:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the angel of the Lord said unto her, etc.] The same as before, who, by what follows, appears to be Jehovah himself: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly; not that she should have many children herself, for that she had more than this one she now went with, is not certain; but that that seed she had conceived should be exceedingly multiplied, and he should have a numerous posterity, as he had twelve princes sprung from him, the heads of Arab nations: that it shall not be numbered for multitude; such the Turks are at this day, supposed to be the seed of Ishmael, Hagar’s son.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- The Birth of Ishmael 1. הנר hāgār, Hagar, “flight.” Hejrah, the flight of Muhammed. 7. מלאך mal'ak “messenger, angel.” A deputy commissioned to discharge a certain duty for the principal whom he represents. As the most usual task is that of bearing messages, commands, or tidings, he is commonly called a “messenger” ἄγγελος angelos). The word is therefore a term of office, and does not further distinguish the office-bearer than as an intelligent being. Hence, a מלאך mal'ak may be a man deputed by a man Genesis 32:3; Job 1:14, or by God Haggai 1:13; Malachi 3:1, or a superhuman being delegated in this case only by God. The English term “angel” is now especially appropriated to the latter…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:10-12 Hagar’s son would become the father of a great but wild and hostile nation living in the Arabian Desert as perennial enemies of Israel (cp. 25:18). God blessed Ishmael as Abram’s descendant, but not as the line chosen to carry on the covenant. That blessing was reserved for Abram’s chosen heir.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification