The LORD Has Held Me Back and Sarai Gives Hagar to Abram

"And Sarai said to Abram, Behold now, the LORD has held me back from bearing" (Genesis 16:2). Sarah said: I know the source of my affliction. It is not from witchcraft, nor from any amulet that I need; rather, "the LORD has held me back" from bearing. "Perhaps I will be built up through her." It was taught: anyone who has no children is as though dead, and as though demolished. As though dead, as it says, "And she said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I am a dead woman" (Genesis 30:1). As though demolished, as in "perhaps I will be built up through her," for one builds only what is demolished. "And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai" -- to the voice of the Holy Spirit within her, as you say "and now, listen to the voice of the words of the LORD." "And Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar" -- she took her with words. She said to her: Happy are you that you cling to this holy body.