Genesis 16:9

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 16:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Genesis 16:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

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 angel; though Jarchi thinks that one angel after another was sent, and that at every speech there was a fresh angel; and because this phrase is repeated again and again, some of the Rabbins have fancied there were four angels f1047 , and others five, but without any reason: return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands; go back to her, humble thyself before her, acknowledge thy fault, enter into her service again, and be subject to her; do her work and business, bear her corrections and chastisements; and “suffer thyself to be afflicted” f1048, by her, as the word may be rendered; take all patiently from her, which will be…”
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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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Related study paths

Sources and verification