16:9 Then the Lord’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit 1 to her authority.
30:4 So Rachel 3 gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob had marital relations with 4 her.
30:22 Then God took note of 5 Rachel. He paid attention to her and enabled her to become pregnant. 6
1 tn The imperative וְהִתְעַנִּי (vÿhit’anni) is the Hitpael of עָנָה (’anah, here translated “submit”), the same word used for Sarai’s harsh treatment of her. Hagar is instructed not only to submit to Sarai’s authority, but to whatever mistreatment that involves. God calls for Hagar to humble herself.
2 tn Heb “and she hurried and lowered.”
3 tn Heb “and she”; the referent (Rachel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Heb “went in to.” The expression “went in to” in this context refers to sexual intercourse.
5 tn Heb “remembered.”
6 tn Heb “and God listened to her and opened up her womb.” Since “God” is the subject of the previous clause, the noun has been replaced by the pronoun “he” in the translation for stylistic reasons