Genesis 16:2

And 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.

Cross-reference

Genesis 17:16 reveals God's promise for Sarah to bear a son, contrasting with Sarai's human solution involving Hagar.

In Genesis 18:10, God promises Sarah a son directly, contrasting her human plan with divine intervention.

In Genesis 30:2, Jacob attributes Rachel's barrenness to God, similar to Sarah's statement about the LORD preventing children.

In Genesis 30:3, Rachel uses her servant Bilhah to bear children, directly mirroring Sarah's action with Hagar.

In Genesis 30:9, Leah also gives her servant Zilpah to Jacob, continuing the pattern of using servants to build family.

In Genesis 30:22, God enables Rachel to conceive, showing that divine provision surpasses human strategies like Sarah's.

Genesis 11:30 Historical context

Genesis 11:30 states Sarai's barrenness, directly explaining her action in Genesis 16:2.

In Genesis 30:6, Rachel credits God for vindication through her servant's son, linking divine favor to the practice in 16:2.

In Genesis 20:18, God causes barrenness in Abimelech's household, showing His control over fertility as in Sarah's case.

In Genesis 25:21, Rebekah's barrenness is overcome through Isaac's prayer, echoing the theme of divine response to childlessness.

In Genesis 19:31, Lot's daughters, like Sarai, take drastic measures to bear children through unconventional means.

In 1 Samuel 1:2, Hannah's barrenness and rivalry with Peninnah mirror Sarai's situation with Hagar.

Galatians 4:22 directly references Abraham's two sons, including Ishmael by Hagar from Genesis 16:2.

Luke 1:7 Parallel

In Luke 1:7, Elizabeth's barrenness parallels Sarai's, but divine intervention differs from human effort.

Psalm 127:3 Related theme

Psalm 127:3 declares children are from the LORD, offering a theological perspective on the hope expressed in Sarah's plan.

Acts 7:5 Historical context

In Acts 7:5, God's promise of offspring to Abraham highlights the challenge addressed in Genesis 16:2.