Texts in Conversation
Genesis 16 describes Hagar fleeing from Sarai’s harsh treatment, using the same language from Exodus 14 used to describe how Israel fled from Pharaoh. This connects Hagar’s escape with Israel’s exodus, ironically placing Sarai in a role parallel to Pharaoh.
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Genesis 16:6
Hebrew Bible
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You have brought this wrong on me! I gave my servant into your embrace, but when she realized that she was pregnant, she despised me. May the Lord judge between you and me!” 6 Abram said to Sarai, “Since your servant is under your authority, do to her what is right in your eyes22.” Then Sarai treated Hagar harshly, so she ran away from Sarai. 7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring of water in the wilderness—the spring that is along the road to Shur.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Exodus 14:5
Hebrew Bible
4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them. I will gain honor because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So this is what they did. 5 When it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had fled, the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people, and the king and his servants said, “What in the world have we done? For we have released the people of Israel from serving us!” 6 Then he prepared his chariots and took his army with him.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... furthermore, ענה is the same verb used to describe Shechem’s rape of Dinah (Genesis 34:2), Ammon’s rape of Tamar (2 Samuel 13:22), and the rape of the Levite’s concubine (Judges 19:24). By using the Hebrew verb ענה, the text paints a graphic picture of Sarah’s deliberate, brutal, and violent oppression of Hagar. It is no wonder Hagar chooses to flee (ברח) and risk a perilous journey through the wilderness, rather than remain under the oppressive hand of Sarah. Williams notes that Hagar is ‘the first female in the Bible to liberate herself from oppressive power structures’. Goldingay points out that the word ברח [flee] is also used in the exodus narrative when the Israelites flee from Pharoah (Exodus 14:5). Furthermore, as Wenham points out, the Hebrew verb ברח is often used when individuals are fleeing from people who are endeavouring to kill them (Genesis 27:43; Exodus 14:5; 1 Samuel 19:18; 22:17; 27:4). Therefore, it is possible that Hagar flees from Sarah because her life and the life of her child are in danger ..."
Hill, A. Rebecca Basdeo
Seeing and Hearing Hagar: An Affective Reading of Genesis 16
(pp. 1-9) In die Skriflig, Vol. 58, No. 1, 2024
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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