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She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, "Don`t let me see the death of the child." She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Mother's Unbearable Anguish

Commentators describe this scene as deeply affecting, portraying the absolute limit of human endurance. Hagar's decision to move a 'bowshot' away was not out of a lack of love, but because, as a mother, she could not bear to witness the final moments of her child's death. Her actions paint a vivid picture of utter despair and hopelessness.

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Genesis

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Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Genesis 21:1–34

18th Century

Theologian

  1. מלל mı̂lēl “speak,” an ancient and therefore solemn and poetical word.

  2. חמת chêmet “bottle,…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Genesis 21:16

19th Century

Bishop

Let me not see the death of the child. —The whole story is most touching. Day after day the mother, with her child, had w…

John Gill

John Gill

On Genesis 21:16

17th Century

Pastor

And she went and sat down over against [him], a good way
off
Not being able to bear t…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Genesis 21:14–21

17th Century

Minister

If Hagar and Ishmael had behaved well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they were justly punished. By abusing privileges, w…