Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of Genesis - Chapter 16 - Verse 5

16:5
And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

Meaning

In this verse from the book of Genesis, Sarai expresses her distress to Abram regarding the situation with her handmaid, Hagar. Sarai had given Hagar to Abram in the hopes of having a child through her, as she herself was unable to conceive. However, when Hagar became pregnant, she began to look down on Sarai and treat her with contempt. Feeling betrayed and unappreciated, Sarai blames Abram for the strife that has arisen between them because of Hagar. By calling upon the Lord to judge between them, Sarai is acknowledging her inability to resolve the conflict on her own and seeking divine intervention to bring justice and peace to the situation.

Theological Overview

In this passage from the book of Genesis, Sarai expresses her frustration with Abram for the outcome of a decision they made together. Sarai had offered her maid, Hagar, to Abram in order to bear a child when Sarai was unable to conceive. However, once Hagar became pregnant, she began to despise Sarai, leading to conflict between the two women. Sarai's words to Abram reveal her feelings of betrayal and blame towards him for the situation. The verse underscores the complex relationships and dynamics within marriage and family life. The mention of the Lord judging between Sarai and Abram reflects the power dynamics and relational tensions present in this story. This verse offers a window into the challenges faced by individuals in navigating interpersonal conflicts and the consequences of their choices.

Previous VerseNext Verse