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Genesis 21:16 - Mother's despair, divine intervention nears

Genesis 21:16 - בראשית 21:16

Hebrew Text

וַתֵּלֶךְ וַתֵּשֶׁב לָהּ מִנֶּגֶד הַרְחֵק כִּמְטַחֲוֵי קֶשֶׁת כִּי אָמְרָה אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד וַתֵּשֶׁב מִנֶּגֶד וַתִּשָּׂא אֶת־קֹלָהּ וַתֵּבְךְּ׃

English Translation

And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

Transliteration

Vatelch vateshev lah mineged harchak kimtachavei keshet ki amra al-er'eh bemot hayeled vateshev mineged vatisa et-kolah vatevch.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ וַתֵּ֨שֶׁב לָ֜הּ מִנֶּ֗גֶד הַרְחֵק֙ כִּמְטַחֲוֵ֣י קֶ֔שֶׁת כִּ֣י אָֽמְרָ֔ה אַל־אֶרְאֶ֖ה בְּמ֣וֹת הַיָּ֑לֶד וַתֵּ֣שֶׁב מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַתִּשָּׂ֥א אֶת־קֹלָ֖הּ וַתֵּֽבְךְּ׃
וַתֵּ֩לֶךְ֩ וַתֵּ֨שֶׁב לָ֜הּ מִנֶּ֗גֶד הַרְחֵק֙ כִּמְטַחֲוֵ֣י קֶ֔שֶׁת כִּ֣י אָֽמְרָ֔ה אַל־אֶרְאֶ֖ה בְּמ֣וֹת הַיָּ֑לֶד וַתֵּ֣שֶׁב מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַתִּשָּׂ֥א אֶת־קֹלָ֖הּ וַתֵּֽבְךְּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Genesis 21:16) describes Hagar's reaction after being sent away by Avraham at Sarah's request. Hagar and her son Yishmael are in the wilderness, and Yishmael is near death from thirst. The verse captures Hagar's anguish as she distances herself to avoid witnessing her son's suffering.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments on the phrase "כִּמְטַחֲוֵי קֶשֶׁת" ("as it were a bowshot"):

  • Rashi explains that the distance of a bowshot is significant because it represents the maximum range an arrow can travel—symbolizing Hagar's desire to be as far as possible while still being able to hear Yishmael's cries.
  • He also notes that Hagar's weeping was not just for her son's suffering but also out of guilt, recalling the angels' earlier prophecy (Genesis 16:12) that Yishmael would be a "wild man."

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 53:13) elaborates on Hagar's emotional state:

  • Hagar's statement "אַל־אֶרְאֶה בְּמוֹת הַיָּלֶד" ("Let me not see the death of the child") reflects her despair, as she believed Yishmael was beyond salvation.
  • The Midrash contrasts Hagar's reaction with Avraham's earlier plea for Yishmael (Genesis 17:18), highlighting the difference between a father's hope and a mother's immediate grief.

Rambam's Perspective

While Rambam (Maimonides) does not comment directly on this verse, his teachings on hashgacha pratit (divine providence) in Moreh Nevuchim (3:17) can be applied:

  • Hagar's apparent abandonment is a test of her faith, ultimately leading to divine intervention when an angel reveals the well to her (Genesis 21:19).
  • This aligns with the principle that suffering can precede redemption, as seen later with the Jewish people in Egypt.

Symbolism of the Bowshot

The Talmud (Bava Batra 73a) and later commentators explore the metaphor of the bow:

  • The distance signifies both physical separation and emotional turmoil—Hagar is close enough to hear but far enough to avoid witnessing death directly.
  • Some suggest the bow alludes to Yishmael's future as an archer (Genesis 21:20), hinting at his survival despite the current crisis.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hagar sit far away from Ishmael when he was suffering?
A: Rashi explains that Hagar sat at a distance because she couldn't bear to watch her son Ishmael suffer. The verse compares the distance to 'a bowshot' to show she was close enough to hear him but far enough not to see his pain directly (Rashi on Genesis 21:16).
Q: What is the significance of Hagar lifting her voice and weeping?
A: The Midrash teaches that Hagar's weeping shows the deep compassion of a mother. Her cries were so heartfelt that they reached heaven, leading to divine intervention when an angel appeared to save Ishmael (Genesis Rabbah 53:14).
Q: How does this verse teach us about dealing with difficult situations?
A: The Talmud derives from this verse that sometimes we need to step back from painful situations while still being present enough to help. Hagar's balanced approach - being close enough to hear but not so close as to be overwhelmed - serves as a model for dealing with suffering (Talmud, Sotah 10b).