Genesis 16:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He entered into Hagar, and she became pregnant. Observe how Sarah discovers that the issue of their childlessness was not due to the righteous Abraham, but rather her own inability to conceive. As soon as they came together, conception followed. However, consider the impiety of the servant woman and the frailty of the female condition, which also illustrate the remarkable patience of their ancestor. When Hagar realized she was with child, she began to look down upon her mistress. This behavior is typical of servants: once they experience a modicum of fortune, they tend to forget their place and become consumed by folly. Thus, it transpired with this servant.

When Sarah was unable to conceive and Hagar became pregnant with Ishmael, the latter held pride over the free woman and looked down upon her. This scenario foreshadowed the emergence of Israel under the governance of the law. However, as a servant—lacking a spirit of freedom—it nearly gave rise to the nation of Egypt in opposition to the new gospel teachings. Consequently, it boasted highly of itself while persecuting the followers of Christ, frequently opposing the gospel's principles. The Jewish synagogue openly admonished the holy Apostles, declaring, ‘Have we not strictly commanded you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine’ (Acts 5:28). Observe how the Egyptian woman confronts Sarah and the arrogance displayed by the servant toward the free woman.

When Hagar became pregnant, she disregarded her mistress, believing that her offspring would possess the promised land as their inheritance. Hagar came to understand that Abram would father numerous offspring, though not through her. This was evident to her as he never returned to her dwelling, nor did he approach her upon realizing her condition. Abram had only been with Hagar at Sarah's urging, seeking some solace from her until God fulfilled His promise and blessed Sarah with the joy of her own child.

Following the deluge, the population of humanity was limited, and exhibited piety, so that no individual would seem to have neglected a natural duty (Genesis 1:28, Genesis 9:1). Moreover, the daughters of St. Lot sought a similar justification for the necessity of procreation, to prevent the extinction of the human race—thus, the expectations of societal responsibility outweighed personal transgressions. It is significant that the woman is depicted as the one committing the act, allowing the husband to be absolved and not viewed as succumbing to foolish delusion. This also serves as a lesson for wives to cherish their husbands, avoiding baseless suspicions of infidelity or animosity towards stepchildren if they themselves remain childless.

Hagar, after becoming pregnant by Abraham, developed a sense of superiority over her mistress. The nature of a servant can often be arrogant and lofty during times of ease and fortune, as indicated by the Scripture: ‘The earth shakes with three, but it cannot bear the fourth; if a slave reigns, if a madman is filled with food (meaning if a simple person attains wealth); if a slave triumphs over her mistress, a base wife will turn to a good husband’ (Proverbs 30:21-23). This illustrates Hagar's mindset, yet the authority of her mistress ultimately prevailed, instructing the servant to recognize her position and not to lift herself up.

She started to hold her mistress in contempt. It seems likely that Hagar stepped beyond the boundaries of reverence owed to her mistress, hoping to gain greater favor with Abram by bearing him a child. In this instance, we should recognize the fair retribution that came upon Sarah due to her lack of faith, or perhaps her extreme impatience, as she sought to obtain children by her own efforts rather than trusting solely in the promise and will of God, who unmistakably directed Abram.

As previously mentioned, Sarah exemplifies true wisdom by offering her maid to Abram without envy, recognizing that after ten years, she had not borne children. We also observe the composed nature of a wise husband, who fathers offspring for the sake of his wife. It has been noted that virtue, when understood deeply, encourages one to first engage with fundamental knowledge, enabling a subsequent fruitful creation. This foundational knowledge, acquired through earlier studies, is equally a product of virtue, as it fulfills its intended purpose. By utilizing this approach, the prudent husband expedited conception, revealing his virtue.