Genesis 16:12 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“And he will be a wild man; his hand {will be} against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”

Genesis 16:12

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou {art} with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. {Ishmael: that is, God shall hear}

And he will be a wild man; his hand {will be} against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, {it is} between Kadesh and Bered. {Beerlahairoi: that is, The well of him that liveth and seeth me}

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Genesis 16:1

"Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name {was} Hagar."

Genesis 16:2

"And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. {obtain...: Heb. be built by her}"

Genesis 16:3

"And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife."

Genesis 16:4

"And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes."

Genesis 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."

Genesis 16:6

"But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid {is} in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. {as...: Heb. that which is good in thine eyes} {dealt...: Heb. afflicted her}"

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