Gen 16:11 | NETfull | STEP | Then the Lord’ s angel said to her, “You are now pregnant and are about to give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard your painful groans.

Genesis 16:11

11 Then the Lord’s angel said to her,

“You are now ^{▼▼ The particle הִנֵּה (hinneh) focuses on her immediate situation: “Here you are pregnant.”} pregnant
and are about to give birth ^{▼▼ The active participle refers here to something that is about to happen.} to a son.
You are to name him Ishmael, ^{▼▼ The name Ishmael consists of the imperfect or jussive form of the Hebrew verb with the theophoric element added as the subject. It means “God hears” or “may God hear.”}
for the Lord has heard your painful groans. ^{▼▼ Heb “affliction,” which must refer here to Hagar’s painful groans of anguish.} ^{▼▼ This clause gives the explanation of the name Ishmael, using a wordplay. Ishmael’s name will be a reminder that “God hears” Hagar’s painful cries.}