This sheet on Genesis 21 was written by Alex Maged for 929 and can also be found here
In today’s chapter, Hagar and her son, Ishmael, wander in the wilderness until they run out of water. Hagar, despondent, “cast[s] the child under one of the bushes” and declares “‘Let me not see the child’s death.’” At that point, a stranger appears and proclaims: “What is with you, Hagar? Do not fear.” Hagar’s eyes are then “opened,” and she perceives a well of water before her, from which Ishmael drinks and is saved.
Taken literally, the query posed to Hagar in this episode strikes us as tone-deaf. Here stands a mother about to lose her child. There should be little room to wonder “what is with you?” Nor do suggestions to “have no fear” seem particularly helpful, either; under the circumstances, Hagar has every reason to be afraid.
Yet perhaps there lies another message in these words. After all, Hagar’s interlocutor is no mere stranger; in fact, the text tells us, he is an “angel.” And perhaps his attempt to comfort her is, in turn, not merely aspirational, but also prophetic. For, parsed phonetically, the Hebrew words “What is with you?” – מה לך, mah lach – might also communicate מלאך: “angel.” And the words “Do not fear” – אל תיראי, al tiri – might also communicate אל תראי – “you shall not see.” And so, there are in fact two conversations taking place in this text. A stranger assures Hagar that she need not fear; and if she listens closely enough, Hagar will readily realize why that is indeed so. מלאך, הגר—“I am an angel, Hagar.” And with respect to your concern—“let me not see the death of the child”—I promise you: “You shall not see!”
The exchange between Hagar and the angel thus serves as a prime example of the ways in which Biblical texts play with phonetics to develop multiple layers of meaning simultaneously. It also offers an important lesson. Many times, when confronted by adversity, we would prefer to simply look the other way. Yet if, instead, we “open our eyes”—and our ears—to the challenge at hand, we may find that the solutions we seek lie much closer than we realize.
Taken literally, the query posed to Hagar in this episode strikes us as tone-deaf. Here stands a mother about to lose her child. There should be little room to wonder “what is with you?” Nor do suggestions to “have no fear” seem particularly helpful, either; under the circumstances, Hagar has every reason to be afraid.
Yet perhaps there lies another message in these words. After all, Hagar’s interlocutor is no mere stranger; in fact, the text tells us, he is an “angel.” And perhaps his attempt to comfort her is, in turn, not merely aspirational, but also prophetic. For, parsed phonetically, the Hebrew words “What is with you?” – מה לך, mah lach – might also communicate מלאך: “angel.” And the words “Do not fear” – אל תיראי, al tiri – might also communicate אל תראי – “you shall not see.” And so, there are in fact two conversations taking place in this text. A stranger assures Hagar that she need not fear; and if she listens closely enough, Hagar will readily realize why that is indeed so. מלאך, הגר—“I am an angel, Hagar.” And with respect to your concern—“let me not see the death of the child”—I promise you: “You shall not see!”
The exchange between Hagar and the angel thus serves as a prime example of the ways in which Biblical texts play with phonetics to develop multiple layers of meaning simultaneously. It also offers an important lesson. Many times, when confronted by adversity, we would prefer to simply look the other way. Yet if, instead, we “open our eyes”—and our ears—to the challenge at hand, we may find that the solutions we seek lie much closer than we realize.
(טז) וַתֵּלֶךְ֩ וַתֵּ֨שֶׁב לָ֜הּ מִנֶּ֗גֶד הַרְחֵק֙ כִּמְטַחֲוֵ֣י קֶ֔שֶׁת כִּ֣י אָֽמְרָ֔ה אַל־אֶרְאֶ֖ה בְּמ֣וֹת הַיָּ֑לֶד וַתֵּ֣שֶׁב מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַתִּשָּׂ֥א אֶת־קֹלָ֖הּ וַתֵּֽבְךְּ׃
(16) and went and sat down at a distance, a bowshot away; for she thought, “Let me not look on as the child dies.” And sitting thus afar, she burst into tears.
Alex Maged holds a Masters in Biblical studies from Yeshiva University.
929 is the number of chapters in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, the formative text of the Jewish heritage. It is also the name of a cutting-edge project dedicated to creating a global Jewish conversation anchored in the Hebrew Bible. 929 English invites Jews everywhere to read and study Tanakh, one chapter a day, Sunday through Thursday together with a website with creative readings and pluralistic interpretations, including audio and video, by a wide range of writers, artists, rabbis, educators, scholars, students and more. As an outgrowth of the web-based platform, 929 English also offers classes, pop-up lectures, events and across North America. We invite you to learn along with us and be part of our dynamic community.
To join 929's listserv for new and dynamic content each week click here
To join 929's listserv for new and dynamic content each week click here
