SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:2
Dijo, pues, Sarai a Abram: He aquí ahora el SEÑOR me ha vedado de dar a luz; te ruego que entres a mi sierva; por ventura tendré hijos de ella. Y oyó Abram al dicho de Sarai.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:2
Verse 2. 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. I may obtain children by her.] The slave being the absolute property of the mistress, not only her person, but the fruits of her labour, 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abra to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation an situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom put us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would as counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that whic is doubtful.
Original Hebrew
ותאמר 559 שׂרי 8297 אל 413 אברם 87 הנה 2009 נא 4994 עצרני 6113 יהוה 3068 מלדת 3205 בא 935 נא 4994 אל 413 שׁפחתי 8198 אולי 194 אבנה 1129 ממנה 4480 וישׁמע 8085 אברם 87 לקול 6963 שׂרי׃ 8297
