Neville Goddard on Genesis 16:1-6 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Genesis 16 in context

Scripture Focus

1Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

2And 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.

3And 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.

4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

6But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

Genesis 16:1-6

Biblical Context

Sarah remains childless; she proposes using Hagar to produce an heir, and Abram agrees. Hagar conceives, the apparent success inflames Sarai's jealousy, and the couple faces blame and flight.

Neville's Inner Vision

To the I AM within, this tale is not a history of people but a drama of states. Sarai’s statement that the Lord hath restrained me is a belief in lack, a consciousness that life withholds the seed of fulfillment. Abram’s listening to the outer voice—the suggestion to use Hagar as a means—represents capitulation to a plan born of fear rather than faith. Hagar’s pregnancy is the outward effect of that inner decision, yet it quickly reveals a second birth of the ego: vanity, jealousy, and possession over outcomes. The demand 'the LORD judge between me and thee' marks the inner judgment we cast on rival states within us. When Sarai treats Hagar harshly, she flees—the ignored impulse that arises from a belief in separation. The inner remedy is conversion of consciousness, not enforcement of a broken scheme. The I AM within knows no lack; when you assume the feeling of the wish fulfilled and dwell there, the outer scene rearranges to reflect that harmony.

Practice This Now

Close your eyes, place a hand on your heart, and imagine you already hold the blessing; breathe into the feeling of fulfillment for a few breaths, then release the old plan.