Hagar
a name that resonates in the annals of religious history, finds its place in the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Genesis, she appears as a central figure, and her identity is enshrined in diverse interpretations across these religions.
Hagar Bible
In the Hebrew scriptures, Hagar is a prominent figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Described as an Egyptian slave or servant of Sarah, wife of Patriarch Abraham, her life takes an important turn when she becomes Ishmael's mother. The nuances of its role and lineage are the subject of intense biblical scrutiny and interpretation.
Hagar in Islamic heritage
Islamic tradition venerates Hagar as a woman of great faith and endurance. In the Qur'an, her name is not explicitly mentioned but is referred to in narratives that mirror those of the Bible. The Prophet Muhammad acknowledges in the hadiths that she is the mother of Ishmael, emphasizing her maternal connection to Ishmael, who is considered a prophet in Islam. Her journey into the barren deserts of Mecca, accompanied by her son, was a powerful symbol of reliance on divine providence.
Ismail's legacy
In Islam, Hagar's legacy continues through her son Ishmael. He is considered a prophet, and his lineage is believed to have laid the foundation for many Arab tribes. This legacy is a testament to Hagar's lasting influence on Islamic history, as her descendants played pivotal roles in the development of Arab culture and civilization.
The Hagarenes: an interesting connection
The term "Hagarenes" appears in the Bible, referring to the descendants of Hagar. Biblical scholars and historians have debated the origins of this lineage, with some suggesting a connection to Hagar, the mother of Ishmael. This connection, although debated, underscores the complex intertwining of historical lineage and religious narratives.
Hagar's global importance
Hagar's story transcends religious boundaries and resonates with people across cultures. Her unwavering faith, resilience and motherly devotion make her a universal symbol of strength. In a world of religious diversity, Hajar stands as a unifying figure, embodying the shared values of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
meaning of the name
The name Hagar, which is repeated in the corridors of ancient texts, carries a magic that has puzzled researchers and scholars for centuries. The origin of this name, rooted in Semitic languages, reveals layers of significance and historical depth.
Exodus Biblical Roots and Heritage
In the field of biblical studies, Hagar's name is mentioned in various contexts. According to the Dictionary of the Bible, the name Hagar, translated from Hebrew as Ἄγαρ, and from Greek as Ἄγαρ, is Semitic in origin and translates to "exodus." This interpretation is in line with the journeys and migrations depicted in ancient texts, which symbolize the story of movement and departure.
Hagar and the Hagarites have a historical relationship
The interesting connection between the name Hagar and the tribe of the Hagarites further complicates its interpretation. Residents of Beersheba, the Hagarites claim to be descended from this mysterious figure. This connection confirms the historical continuity of names and lineages, which wove Hagar into the fabric of ancient tribal history.
Egyptian origins
German theologian Manfred Georg offered a unique perspective on the name Hagar, delving into its ancient Egyptian roots. It has been suggested that Hagar may have originated from the ancient Egyptian term (negsut), which translates to "the king's second wife." In complex hieroglyphics, the name is formed by two components: “ha,” which refers to the lotus flower, and “gir,” which represents the land of Dob in the biblical context.
This interpretation adds a layer of complexity to Hagar's identity, linking her to the revered position of the royal consort in ancient Egyptian society.
Conclusion: Hagar's name was revealed
The multifaceted nature of the name Hagar reflects the diversity of interpretations woven into the fabric of history. From the biblical concept of the Exodus to the royal connotations of ancient Egypt, its name carries echoes of migrations, lineages and kings.
Hajar, a woman whose name transcends time and borders, embodies a legacy intertwined with rich historical threads. As researchers continue to unravel the complexities of her story, her name stands as evidence of the enduring fascination that ancient narratives hold for humanity.
In Judaism
Some ews mentioned that Hagar was a slave, but it was stated in some of their Jewish books (Midrash) that she was a princess. (Midrash, Tamar Kadari) It was stated in the Book of Genesis (45:1) that she was the daughter of the Pharaoh of Egypt, and this was mentioned by Phyllis Trabelsi and Letty Russell in the book « Hagar, Sarah, and their children” (page 106).[2] Ibn Kathir mentioned that she was an Amalek princess and it was said that she was one of the Canaanites who ruled Egypt before the Pharaohs, and that she was the daughter of their leader who was killed by the Pharaohs, and then Pharaoh adopted her. And when Pharaoh wished harm upon Sarah, she prayed to God, and his hands failed. Pharaoh said, “Call upon your Lord to heal my hands,” and he promised her not to touch them. She did so, and God healed his hands, so he gave her the Coptic Egyptian princess, whose name was Hagar, out of her honor, and not a servant, as the Jews claim in their books. Sarah preferred that Abraham marry her, because she knew that Abraham wanted to have offspring, so he married her. Thus, God fulfilled Abraham’s call and Hagar became pregnant, “so we gave him good tidings of a gentle boy,” who is Ishmael.
In Islam
Hagar gave birth to Ishmael when Abraham was eighty-six years old, and Sarah had reached the menopause of childbearing, and God commanded his friend Abraham to take Ishmael and his mother Hagar to Mecca, when there was no crops or water. Ibrahim left Hagar and her son Ismail in that place with a bag of dates and a small skin with a little water in it, so I asked him: Did God command you to do this? He replied: Yes, and she said: Then he will not waste us.
Abraham raised his hands in supplication, beseeching God as he was about to return. Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in a valley without crops near Your Sacred House. Our Lord, let them establish prayer, so make the hearts of the people Come to them and provide them with fruits that they may be grateful (Ibrahim 37), then they are returning to the Levant.
Zamzam well
Hajar ran out of dates and water. The heat became intense, and she and her son became thirsty. He began to writhe from hunger and thirst. Hajar could no longer bear to see her child in this state, so she began to look at him with her eyes, not knowing what to do. Would she let her son die of hunger and thirst? She would not stand idly by in the face of this fate. She must find water. God will not waste her and her child. Hagar stayed in the valley at “the place of pursuit during the days of Hajj.” Hajar started looking for water in every direction. Al-Safa was the closest mountain to her, so she climbed it and looked to its right and left, and on every side there was a mirage of water on Al-Marwah. She thought it was water. She descended from Al-Safa and started running down the valley towards Al-Marwah, thinking that she would find water. But she was disappointed when she did not find anything, so she stood exhausted, looking and examining a mirage on the other side of Al-Safa, like water, so she ran back to Al-Safa, but she did not find anything there.
And so it was every time, until she did it seven times and her child never left her mind, and she could not bear to let him out of her sight. When it was the seventh time, her thirst became intense, she was tired, and she was exhausted by walking, without finding water. She looked at her child and saw water gushing out from under his feet. She quickly came to him and started collecting sand around him, saying: Zum Zum. Then she started drinking the water until she was satisfied and leaned over Ismail to give him a drink.
Hagar in the ancient Nubian civilization
The name Hagar is divided into two parts: Ha: (In hieroglyphics, it means the lotus flower. And (ger) means the land of the pit, and in the Biblical sense (Egypt), that is, its name is the lotus flower and its Egyptian euphemism. That is, according to the moral translation, the Egyptian lotus flower.
The Nubians in northern Sudan and southern Egypt believe that Mrs. Hajar is originally Nubian, and this claim is supported, according to their belief, by several points:
First: The name Hajar has the same pronunciation in the Nubian word Hajar, which means sitting or abandoned, perhaps referring to the process of leaving her alone in Mecca, and the direct meaning of the word is I will sit.
Second: It is also proven in the story that Mrs. Hajar was wearing a long, loose dress to hide her footprints from Mrs. Sarah, and this description applies to the gargar, the well-known Nubian women’s dress that is used to this day.
Third: The word Zam Zam is also believed to be a Nubian word that Mrs. Hajar uttered when the water exploded. Its equivalent in the Nubian language is sim, which in Arabic means doing the matter from dryness. She repeated it repeatedly while calling on the water to stop sim sim, and the pronunciation changed to become zamzam.
Fourth: Her son Ismail was a skilled archer, and this is one of the most important characteristics of the ancient Nubians, who were known historically as sharpshooters in their wars with the Assyrians, Persians, Romans, and even with the Arabs later in 41 AH.