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Agar, more commonly known as Hagar in most English translations of the Bible, is a significant figure in the Old Testament. She is primarily mentioned in the Book of Genesis and is recognized as the Egyptian maidservant of Sarai (later Sarah), the wife of Abram (later Abraham). Her account is pivotal in understanding the lineage and the unfolding of God's promises to Abraham.

Biblical Account

Hagar's narrative begins inGenesis 16. Sarai, who was barren, gave Hagar to Abram as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf. This decision was made in accordance with the customs of the time, where a servant could bear children for a barren mistress.Genesis 16:1-2 states, "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"

Hagar conceived and, as a result, tension arose between her and Sarai. Feeling despised, Sarai dealt harshly with Hagar, leading her to flee into the wilderness. It was there that the Angel of the LORD appeared to Hagar, instructing her to return to Sarai and submit to her. The Angel also delivered a promise concerning her offspring, saying, "I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count" (Genesis 16:10). Hagar was told to name her son Ishmael, meaning "God hears," because the LORD had heard her affliction.

Hagar's encounter with the divine is notable as she is one of the few individuals in the Bible to receive a direct promise from God. She referred to the LORD as "El Roi," meaning "the God who sees me," acknowledging God's awareness and care for her plight (Genesis 16:13).

Later Life and Legacy

Hagar's account continues inGenesis 21. After the birth of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, tensions resurfaced. Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac and urged Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. God instructed Abraham to heed Sarah's request, reassuring him that Ishmael would also become a great nation because he was Abraham's offspring (Genesis 21:12-13).

Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba, where they faced the threat of death due to lack of water. God heard the boy's cries and provided a well of water, ensuring their survival. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness and became an archer. He is traditionally considered the ancestor of several Arab tribes, fulfilling God's promise that he would be the father of a great nation.

Theological Significance

Hagar's account is rich with theological implications. It highlights themes of God's providence, the complexity of human relationships, and the fulfillment of divine promises. Hagar's experience underscores God's compassion and care for the marginalized and oppressed. Her account also serves as a precursor to the New Testament teachings on faith and the fulfillment of God's promises through Isaac, as discussed inGalatians 4:21-31, where Paul uses Hagar and Sarah allegorically to contrast the old and new covenants.

Cultural and Historical Context

Hagar's Egyptian origin is significant, as it reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity present in the patriarchal narratives. Her status as a servant and a foreigner adds layers to her account, illustrating the social hierarchies and customs of the ancient Near East. Despite her marginalized position, Hagar's interactions with God reveal a profound theological truth: God's concern extends beyond the chosen lineage of Israel to include all peoples.

In summary, Hagar, or Agar, is a complex and compelling figure whose account is integral to the biblical narrative. Her life and experiences offer insights into God's character and the unfolding of His redemptive plan for humanity.Agar

or Hagar, a stranger; one that fears

AGAR

a'-gar (Agar). Found once in the Apocrypha in the Greek (Baruch 3:23) probably for the Old Testament Hagar, mother of Ishmael, whose children are mentioned with the merchants of Meran (Midian) and Teman. In1 Chronicles 5:10 the "Hagarites" the King James Version, are located East of Gilead, and In the days of Saul were at war with the tribe of Reuben. See also1 Chronicles 5:19, 20 and1 Chronicles 27:31. InPsalm 83:6 the name of the same people is Hagarenes.

28. Hagar -- Hagar, a concubine of Abraham
... Hagar. Of Hebrew origin (Hagar); Hagar, the concubine of Abraham -- Hagar. see HEBREW
Hagar. (agar) -- 2 Occurrences. 27, 28. Hagar. 29 . Strong's Numbers.
103.agar -- to gather
... 102, 103.agar. 104 . to gather. Transliteration:agar Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-gar') Short Definition: gathers. Word Origin a prim.... 102, 103.agar. 104...

94. Agur -- "hired," an author of proverbs
... Agur. Passive participle of 'agar; gathered (ie Received among the sages); Agur,
a fanciful name for Solomon -- Agur. see HEBREW 'agar. 93, 94. Agur. 95 ....

Explanation of the Preceding Chapter.
... Abraham loved Sarai andAgar, and untilAgar began to despise her mistress it
could not well have been discerned which he loved the better....

Of the Children of the Flesh and the Children of the Promise.
... Which things are an allegory: [770] for these are the two covenants; the one from
the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which isAgar....

How Human Actions are Without Worth when they are done Without...
... great friend of God, Abraham, had by Sara his chief wife a most dear only son, Isaac,
who also was his sole heir: and though he had Ismael byAgar, and several...

Of the Loving Condolence by which the Complacency of Love is Still...
... How great was the sorrow ofAgar's heart upon the pains of her Ismael,
whom she saw well-nigh perish with thirst in the desert!...

Who are the Children of the Old Covenant.
... But those belong to the old testament, "which gendereth from Mount Sinai to bondage,"
which isAgar, who, when they have received a law which is holy and just...

Whether it was ever Lawful to have a Concubine?
... the inheritance. Yet Abraham sentAgar away, and her son was not his heir
(Gn.21:14). Therefore she was not Abraham's wife. On the...

For that Both History of the Old Testament...
... [1712] For these are the two Testaments, one of Mount Sinai gendering unto bondage,
which isAgar: for Sinai is a mount in Arabia, which bordereth [1713] upon...

Note A. Holiness as Proprietorship.
... In a little book"Holiness, as understood by the Writers of the Bible; A Bible Study
by JosephAgar Beet"the thought that by Holiness is meant our relation...

That Sadness is Almost Always Useless, Yea Contrary to the Service...
... For David, S. Peter, Magdalen, wept for their sins;Agar wept when she saw her son
almost dead of thirst; Jeremias over the ruin of Jerusalem; Our Saviour over...

That Heavenly Love is Lost in a Moment.
... And ifAgar, who was but an Egyptian, seeing her son in danger of death had not
the heart to stay by him, but would have left him, saying: Ah!...

Agar (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible EncyclopediaAGAR. a'-gar (Agar).... In Psalm 83:6 the name of the
same people is Hagarenes. Multi-Version ConcordanceAgar (2 Occurrences)....

Agape

Gendereth (2 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the
one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which isAgar....

Answereth (144 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Galatians 4:25 For thisAgar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to
Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (KJV ASV WBS)....

Agarenes
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia AGARENES. ag-a-renz': Baruch 3:23 the King James Version.
In the Old Testament the word is HAGARENES (which see). See alsoAGAR....

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... HAGAR. ha'-gar (haghar, "emigration," "flight"; Hagar,Agar): An Egyptian woman,
the handmaid or slave of Sarai; a present, perhaps, from Pharaoh when Abram...

Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Sarah and Hagar? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ishmael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Agar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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