Hagar

Hagar was Sarah's Egyptian handmaid whom Sarah gave to Abraham as a concubine after ten years of childlessness in Canaan (Genesis 16:1–3). When Hagar became pregnant, her attitude changed, and her mistress was despised in her eyes (Genesis 16:4). Enraged, Sarah blamed Abraham, who allowed his wife to deal with Hagar as she saw fit. Desperate, Hagar fled toward Egypt through the wilderness of Shur.

At a well along the Egyptian road, the angel of the Lord found Hagar and commanded her to return to Sarah's household (Genesis 16:9). The angel delivered a remarkable prophecy: her son would be named Ishmael, and he shall be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him (Genesis 16:12). Obedient to this divine word, Hagar returned and bore Ishmael when Abraham was eighty-six years old. She remained in Abraham's tent for fourteen years.

After Isaac's birth and weaning festival, Sarah discovered Ishmael mocking the young heir. She demanded that Abraham expel both Hagar and her son. Though reluctant, Abraham complied (Genesis 21:14). Wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba with her dying son, Hagar wept in despair until the angel of the Lord appeared again, revealing a nearby well and renewing the covenant promise: I will make him a great nation (Genesis 21:18–19). Ishmael subsequently settled in the wilderness of Paran and married an Egyptian woman (Genesis 21:20–21).

The apostle Paul used Hagar as a theological symbol (Galatians 4:24–25), interpreting her as representing the old covenant under the law—bound to servitude—while Sarah represents the Christian church freed through grace. This allegory emphasizes the contrast between works-based and grace-based righteousness in God's plan of salvation.