Sarah, the Evil Mistress Essay -- Essays Papers

Sarah, the Evil MistressAlthough Hagar flaunts her pregnancy with Abraham in the face of Sarah who is barren, Sarah is ultimately responsible for generating trouble in Abrahams household. Through Sarahs decision to give Hagar to Abraham, Sarahs jealousy and anger towards Hagars reaction to conception, and also Sarahs harsh treatment of Hagar, we be able to understand why Sarah is truly the one accountable for the negative circumstances throughout her relationship with Hagar.Initially, in Genesis 1130 we hand remorse for Sarai in her barrenness. Repeatedly it is expressed that Sarai is barren. Sharon Jeansonne explains, Indeed, Sarais childlessness is predominant in most of the scenes that concern her (15). Sarais inadequacy is stated repetitively because at this time, a woman was considered worthless if she could not conceive children and bear her husband offspring. Knowing the importance of progeny, Sarai attempts to fulfill her dreams of having a son for Abraham. Prior to inform ing the reader of Sarais plans, it is stated that she and Abram have lived in Canaan for ten years now without her giving him a child. She is now finally doing something about the issue (19). She decides that she should have a son through her maidservant Hagar. In Genesis 162 it reads, And Sarai said to Abraham, Look, the Lord has kept me from bearing. Consort with my maid perhaps I shall have a son through her. And Abram heeds Sarais request (Berlin and Brettler). Through this verse it becomes unmistakable that the entire plan is Sarais and Abram simply obeys while Hagar is given no choice (Tikva Frymer-Kensky 226). The practice of having a maid give birth in place of another woman was common, yet it seems as though Sarai di... ...this through her possibility to have Hagar as a surrogate mother, her immediate jealousy, her harsh treatment of Hagar, her selfishness, and her continual dissatisfaction until Hagar and Ishmael were removed from her household once and for all. Works Ci ted- Berlin, Adele, and Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish flying field Bible. Oxford Oxford University Press, 2004. - Frymer-Kensky, Tikva. Reading the Women of the Bible. New York Shocken Books, 2002. - Jeansonne, Sharon Pace. The Women of Genesis. Minneapolis Augsburg Fortress, 1990.- Rulon-Miller, Nina. Hagar A Woman with an Attitude. The World of Genesis Persons, Places, Perspectives. Ed. Philip R. Davies and David J. A. Clines. Sheffield Sheffield Academic Press, 1998. - Wiesel, Elie. Wise Men and Their Tales. Ishmael and Hagar. New York Random House Inc., 2003.