Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULB does this with the poetry in 16:11-12.
Abram married Hagar while he was also married to Sarai. Even though Abram had his wife's permission, this was an immoral and sinful action. It also showed a lack of faith in God. Sarai quickly became jealous of Hagar. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin, /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#faith and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#jealous and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)
This word is used in English to introduce a new part of the story and background information about Sarai. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#writing-background)
"slave-girl." This type of slave would serve the woman of the household.
"from giving birth to children"
"I will build my family through her"
"Abram did what Sarai said"
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"she despised her mistress" or "she thought that she was more valuable than her mistress"
Here this refers to Sarai. A mistress has authority over her slave. Alternate translation: "her owner" or "Sarai"
"This injustice against me"
"is your responsibility" or "is your fault"
Sarai used the word "embrace" here to refer to him sleeping with her. Alternate translation: "I gave you my servant so that you would sleep with her" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-euphemism)
This can be active. Alternate translation: "she hated me" or "she began to hate me" or "she thought she was better than me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-activepassive)
"I want Yahweh to say whether this is my fault or your fault" or "I want Yahweh to decide which one of us is right." The phrase "to judge between" means to decide which person is right in a dispute between them.
"Listen to me" or "Pay attention"
"under your authority"
"Sarai treated Hagar very badly"
"Hagar fled from Sarai"
Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh made himself look like an angel or 2) this was one of Yahweh's angels or 3) this was a special messenger from God (some scholars think it was Jesus). Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of Yahweh" using the normal word that you use for "angel."
The wilderness area she went to was a desert. Alternate translation: "desert"
This was the name of a place south of Canaan and east of Egypt.
Here this refers to Sarai. A mistress has authority over her slave. See how "her mistress" is translated in Genesis 16:4. Alternate translation: "my owner"
"The angel of Yahweh said to Hagar"
Sarai. See how "her mistress" is translated in Genesis 16:4.
See the note about this phrase in Genesis 16:7.
When he said "I," he was referring to Yahweh. When translating what is in the quote, do it as the angel of Yahweh did and use the word "I" when referring to Yahweh.
"I will give you very many descendants"
"so many that no one will be able to count them"
See the note about this phrase in Genesis 16:7.
"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention"
"give birth to a son"
"you will name him." The word "you" refers to Hagar.
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name 'Ishmael' means 'God has heard.'"
She has been afflicted by distress and suffering.
This was not an insult. It may mean that Ishmael would be independent and strong like a wild donkey. Alternate translation: "He will be like a wild donkey among men" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)
"He will be every man's enemy"
"everyone will be his enemy"
This can also mean "he will live in hostility with."
"his relatives" or "the other members of his family"
"Yahweh, because he spoke to her"
Hagar used this rhetorical question to express her amazement that she was still alive even after she met God. People expected that if they met God, they would die. Here seeing represents living. Alternate translation: "I am surprised that I am still alive, ... me." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-rquestion and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metonymy)
Translators may add a footnote that says "Beer Lahai Roi means 'the well of the living one who sees me.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
The word "behold" here draws attention to the fact that the well was in a place that the author and his readers knew. Alternate translation: "in fact, it is between Kadesh and Bered" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
Hagar's return to Sarai and Abram is implict. You can make this more explicit. Alternate translation: "So Hagar went back and gave birth" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)
"named his son by Hagar" or "named his and Hagar's son"
This introduces background information about Abram's age when these things happened. Your language may have a special way to mark background information. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#writing-background)
This means "gave birth to Abram's son, Ishmael." The focus is on Abram having a son.