Converting The Missionary Image Of Abraham

Abstract

Hagar, the slave girl, is mentioned only twelve times in the Hebrew Bible eleven times in the stories of Genesis 16 and Gen 21 and once in Gen 25:12. Ishmael enters the stage in Gen 16 to be born in the last verses of the chapter (16:11, 15, 16). It appears that Ishmael has an important role while Hagar plays only a supporting part. In the narratives of Gen 16 and 21, the stories are set in different way. Of the five protagonists, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Hagar, and Ishmael, Hagar is the most important in Gen 16. Focusing on the birth oracle, Gen 16:11 declares that the child of the pregnant woman will be a son who will be called Ishmael. Keywords:Abraham; Genesis; Hagar; Ishmael; Sarah