"And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?"
Biblical Name · Hebrew / Egyptian Origin
Hagar Meaning in the Bible
Hagar
girl
Hagar means "Flight; Stranger", a girl's name of Hebrew / Egyptian origin. Hagar appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 21:17 is the passage most often tied to it. Hagar named God 'the One who sees me' — a truth that comforts every person who feels invisible. Her story assures us that God sees the forgotten, hears the desperate, and provides for the marginalized.
Is Hagar in the Bible?
Yes — Hagar appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 21:17.
Pronunciation:/HAY-gar/
OriginHebrew / Egyptian
MeaningFlight; Stranger
What does Hagar mean?
Hagar is a girl name of Hebrew / Egyptian origin meaning "Flight; Stranger". Hagar means "flight" or "stranger" in Hebrew. She was an Egyptian servant of Sarah who became the mother of Ishmael through Abraham.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
Editor’s reflection
The Egyptian servant who gave God a name no one else in Scripture gives Him.
Hagar (Hebrew הָגָר) is most often connected to a root meaning 'flight' or to the Arabic hajara, 'to forsake, to emigrate' — fitting for a woman the narrative twice sends into the wilderness. She is introduced simply as 'an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar' (Genesis 16:1), a servant of Sarai given to Abram to bear a child.
What makes her story unusual is who speaks to her. Pregnant, mistreated and running away, she is found by the angel of the LORD beside a spring in the desert. She responds by naming God: 'Thou God seest me' — El Roi (Genesis 16:13). She is the only person in the Hebrew Bible who assigns God a name, and she is a foreign slave woman, not a patriarch.
Genesis 21 sends her out again, this time with Ishmael, and the well of water God opens there keeps the boy alive. Paul later uses Hagar allegorically in Galatians 4 to represent covenant by human effort rather than promise — a theological argument, not a verdict on the woman. Hagar is used sparingly as a given name in English today but remains widely used among Arabic-speaking families as Hajar.
“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me.”
What does Hagar mean in the Bible?
Hagar means "Flight; Stranger" and is a name of Hebrew / Egyptian origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Hagar means "flight" or "stranger" in Hebrew. She was an Egyptian servant of Sarah who became the mother of Ishmael through Abraham. Hagar's story is one of the most poignant in Scripture — a woman caught between the promises of God and the impatience of humans.
When Sarah grew frustrated waiting for God's promised child, she gave Hagar to Abraham. After becoming pregnant, tensions arose, and Hagar fled into the wilderness. There, the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water and told her to return, promising that her descendants would be too numerous to count.
Hagar responded by giving God a name — "El Roi," meaning "the God who sees me." She is the only person in Scripture who gave God a name. Her declaration, "Thou God seest me," became a powerful testimony that God sees and cares for the marginalized and forgotten.
Where does Hagar appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Hagar is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 21:17. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Hagar?
Hagar is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Hagar?
Hagar named God 'the One who sees me' — a truth that comforts every person who feels invisible. Her story assures us that God sees the forgotten, hears the desperate, and provides for the marginalized.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Hagar:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Devotional
Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Commentary
Hebrews 4:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Prayer & Grace
Promise
God's Grace Is Sufficient
Bible promises about God's grace being enough for every situation.
Bible Quiz
Hagar Bible Quiz
The Egyptian handmaid who saw the God that seeth me — a story of exile, survival
Devotional
Hebrews 10:25 — Meaning & Devotional
Fellowship
Commentary
Hebrews 10:25 Commentary
In-depth study • Christian Community
What names are related to Hagar?
Names that pair well with Hagar
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Hagar
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Hagar name meaning: frequently asked questions
No. Genesis 21:17-19 says God heard the boy's voice, opened Hagar's eyes to a well of water, and promised to make of Ishmael a great nation. Verse 20 adds that 'God was with the lad.' The text presents both wilderness episodes as encounters where God finds her, not as abandonment.
Yes — Hagar appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 21:17.
Hagar means "Flight; Stranger." It is a Hebrew / Egyptian name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 21:17, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Hagar
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Hagar?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Hagar?
You can read every verse where Hagar appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.