Genesis 16:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In order to prevent her from believing that her honor was merely arbitrary and without justification, the angel sought to assure her of the care provided for the sake of the righteous offspring. He restored her spirit and filled her with hopeful anticipation through his words: “I will multiply thy offspring, so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” He also proclaimed that her descendants would be numerous beyond counting. Thus, she was encouraged not to mourn, to strengthen her spirit, and to avoid turmoil in her mind, but to demonstrate unwavering faithfulness.

I will surely increase your descendants. This promise inherently belongs to Abram’s blessing, as it is rooted in its subject and basis.

It is quite possible that one who remains at a foundational stage receives blessings, for by continually striving towards a noble objective, he can achieve completeness. It is important to recognize that we are discussing virtue, from which the genuine lineage of Abram springs. When God brought him outside and instructed him to look toward the heavens and count the stars, if he could number them, it was proclaimed, "So many shall be thy offspring" (Gen. 15:5). However, concerning Hagar, it was not promised that her descendants would number like the stars, but only that they would be too numerous to count. Can you not see from this distinction that the children of the righteous shine, while the offspring of those who remain at the foundational level do not?