“Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children: but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar,”
It seemeth that she had respect to God’s promise, which could not be accomplished without issue.
“She said to her husband: Behold, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: go in unto my handmaid, it may be I may have children of her at least. And when he agreed to her request,”
Or, peradventure. Hebrew, be built by her . She faileth in binding God’s power to the common order of nature, as though God could not give her children in her old age.
“And he went in to her. But she perceiving that she was with child, despised her mistress.”
This punishment declareth what they gain that attempt anything against the word of God.
“And Sarai said to Abram: Thou dost unjustly with me: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom, and she perceiving herself to be with child, despiseth me. The Lord judge between me and thee.”
Hebrew, mine injury is upon thee .
“And the angel of the Lord having found her, by a fountain of water in the wilderness, which is in the way to Sur in the desert,”
Which was Christ, as appeareth verse 13 and Gen. 18:17 .
“And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hand.”
God rejecteth none estate of people in their misery, but sendeth them comfort.
“He shall be a wild man: his hand will be against all men, and all men’s hands against him: and he shall pitch his tents over against all his brethren.”
That is, the Ishmaelites shall be a peculiar people by themselves, and not a portion of another people. Cross references: : Gen. 25:18 Or, fierce and cruel, or; as a wild ass.
“And she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her: Thou the God who hast seen me. For she said: Verily, here have I seen the hinder parts of him that seeth me.”
She rebuketh her own dullness and acknowledgeth God’s graces, who was present with her everywhere.
“Therefore she called that well, the well of him that liveth and seeth me. The same is between Cades and Barad.”
Or, the well of the living, and seeing me. Gen. 24:62