God heard the voice of the lad The voice God heard was that of the lad. He had pity on the anguish, and gave ear to the cry, of the child. Once more we have a play upon the name of Ishmael with its meaning of "God heareth." Cf. Genesis 16:11.

the angel of God A different manifestation to Hagar from that in chap. Genesis 16:7. "The angel" (cf. Genesis 28:12; Genesis 31:11; Genesis 32:2) speaks "from heaven" (Genesis 22:11 E). God protects the handmaid and her child no less than the Chosen Family.

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