Hagar (fl. 3rd, 2nd, or 1st c. BCE)

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Hagar (fl. 3rd, 2nd, or 1st c. bce)

Biblical woman. Fl. in the 3rd, 2nd, or 1st century bce; born in Egypt; children: (with Abraham also known as Abrahim) Ishmael.

As related in Genesis, was the Egyptian slave of Sarah, wife of Abraham; since Sarah was unable to have children, was given by Sarah to Abraham, so that his line might continue; upon becoming pregnant, mocked Sarah for her barrenness; on being treated poorly by Sarah, ran away; was stopped by an angel who told her to return to Sarah and that she would give birth to a son and name him Ishmael, and that through Ishmael her descendants would be "too numerous to be counted"; returned to Sarah and Abraham and, in due course, gave birth to Ishmael; through her son, became the ancestress of all Arabs.