Teks -- Genesis 16:2 (NET)

16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with my servant. Perhaps I can have a family by her.” Abram did what Sarai told him.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Clarke: Gen 16:2 - Go in unto my maid

Go in unto my maid - It must not be forgotten that female slaves constituted a part of the private patrimony or possessions of a wife, and that she had a right, according to the usages of those times, to dispose of them as she pleased, the husband having no authority in the case

Clarke: Gen 16:2 - I may obtain children by her

I may obtain children by her - The slave being the absolute property of the mistress, not only her person, but the fruits of her labor, with all her children, were her owner’ s property also

The children, therefore, which were born of the slave, were considered as the children of the mistress. It was on this ground that Sarai gave her slave to Abram; and we find, what must necessarily be the consequence in all cases of polygamy, that strifes and contentions took place.

Calvin: Gen 16:2 - That I may obtain children by her // And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai

2.That I may obtain children by her ³⁸⁴ This is a Hebrew phrase, which signifies to become a mother. Some however, expound the word as simply meaning, to have a son. And certainly בן ( ben,) which, among the Hebrews, signifies son, corresponds with the verb here used. ³⁸⁵ But since sons are so called metaphorically as being the maintainers of the race, and thus building up the family, therefore the primary signification of the word is to be retained. But Sarai claims for herself by right of dominion, the child which Hagar shall bring forth: because handmaids do not bring forth for themselves, since they have not power over their own body. By first speaking to her husband, she does not barely allow of a concubine, who should be as a harlot; but introduces and obtrudes one. And hence it appears, that when persons are wiser in their own eyes than they ought to be, they easily fall into the snare of trying illicit means. The desire of Sarai proceeds from the zeal of faith; but because it is not so subjected to God as to wait his time, she immediately has recourse to polygamy, which is nothing else than the corruption of lawful marriage. Moreover, since Sarai, that holy woman, yet fanned in her husband the same flame of impatience with which she burned, we may hence learn, how diligently we ought to be on our guard, lest Satan should surprise us by any secret fraud. For not only does he induce wicked and ungodly men openly to oppose our faith; but sometimes, privately and by stealth, he assails us through the medium of good and simple men, that he may overcome us unawares. On every side, therefore, we must be on our guard against his wiles; lest by any means he should undermine us.

And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. Truly the faith of Abram wavers, when he deviates from the word of God, and suffers himself to be borne away by the persuasion of his wife, to seek a remedy which was divinely prohibited. He, however, retains the foundation, because he does not doubt that he shall, at length, perceive that God is true. By which example we are taught, that there is no reason why we should despond, if, at any time, Satan should shake our faith; provided that the truth of God be not overthrown in our hearts. Meanwhile, when we see Abram, who, through so many years, had bravely contended like an invincible combatant, and had surmounted so many obstacles, now yielding, in a single moment, to temptation; who among us will not fear for himself in similar danger? Therefore, although we may have stood long and firmly in the faith, we must daily pray, that God would not lead us into temptation.

TSK: Gen 16:2 - the Lord // obtain children // hearkened

the Lord : Gen 17:16, Gen 18:10, Gen 20:18, Gen 25:21, Gen 30:2, Gen 30:3, Gen 30:9, Gen 30:22; Psa 127:3

obtain children : Heb. be builded, Gen 30:3, Gen 30:6; Exo 21:4; Rth 4:11

hearkened : Gen 3:1-6, Gen 3:12, Gen 3:17

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Gen 16:2 - Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai

She reckons the children of her bond-woman (as Hagar was, Gal 4:22 ) would be accounted her children. See Gen 30:3 Exo 21:4 2Sa 21:8 Est 2:7 .

Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai supposing that God would accomplish his promise of a seed to come out of his loins by this way; and knowing that Sarai was not yet mentioned in the promise, as the person by whom he should have that seed; and not consulting with God, which he should have done.

Haydock: Gen 16:2 - May have

May have. Hebrew, "may be built up," a metaphorical expression: so God is said to have built up houses for the Egyptian midwives, Exodus i. 21. (Menochius)

Gill: Gen 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

And Sarai said unto Abram, behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing,.... Or, "hath shut me up" ^d; that is, her womb, as were the wombs of the house of Abimelech, Gen 20:18; so that she could not conceive and bear children; she now at this age despaired of having children, perceiving very probably that it ceased to be with her after the manner of women; and this she refers to the will and power of God; for, as children are his gift, and an heritage from him, Psa 127:3, so it is his will and pleasure sometimes to withhold this blessing from those who are very desirous of them:

I pray thee go in unto my maid; Hagar, the Egyptian before mentioned; her meaning is, that he would take her to wife, and use her as such:

it may be that I may obtain children by her; for whatsoever were born of her handmaid, and in her house, were her own, and so she should account them, and especially as they would be her husband's, see Exo 21:4; or, "may be builded by her" ^e; for women, by bearing children, build up an house, see Rth 4:11; hence a son in Hebrew is called "ben", from "banah", to build:

and Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai; without consulting God about it, the proposal being agreeable to the flesh, which may be imputed to the infirmity of the good man; though it does not appear to arise from previous lust predominant in him; but both Sarai's proposal, and his compliance with it, might be owing to the eager desire of each after the promised seed; they both believed the promise, but did not know it, being not as yet revealed, that Abram should have a son by Sarai; so that Sarai knowing her own case and circumstances, might conclude it was to be by another, and by her handmaid; and Abram might reason and judge after the same manner, which inclined him to listen to her: Josephus ^f says, indeed, that Sarai moved this to Abram by the direction and order of God himself; and the Jewish writers say ^g, that Abram hearkened to the Holy Spirit of God that was in her.