• INF008 The Code of Hammurabi

    The Code of Hammurabi allowed a barren woman to offer her servant to her husband to secure descendants, the child being recognized as legitimate. This practice, widespread in the ancient Near East, was not prescribed in the Law of Moses. It sheds light on Sarah's gesture in offering Hagar to Abraham, an act that was culturally acceptable but contrary to the specific divine promise made to Abraham concerning his descendants.

    Genesis 16.1-4 (King James Version) :
    Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.Noteobtain…: Heb. be built by herAnd Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.Noteas…: Heb. that which is good in thine eyesNotedealt…: Heb. afflicted her
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate