Genesis 16:12

And he will be like a mountain ass among men; his hand will be against every man and every man's hand against him, and he will keep his place against all his brothers.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

In Context

11And the angel of the Lord said, See, you are with child and will give birth to a son, to whom you will give the name Ishmael, because the ears of the Lord were open to your sorrow.

13And to the Lord who was talking with her she gave this name, You are a God who is seen; for she said, Have I not even here in the waste land had a vision of God and am still living?

Read all of Genesis 16

Cross References

Genesis 21:20And God was with the boy, and he became tall and strong, and he became a bowman, living in the waste land.

Genesis 27:40By your sword will you get your living and you will be your brother's servant; but when your power is increased his yoke will be broken from off your neck.

Job 39:5\39:2\Is the number of their months fixed by you? or is the time when they give birth ordered by you?

Matthew Henry on Genesis 16:11-15

The Promise Concerning Ishmael. ( b. c. 1911.) 10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 16:12