fore he built his altar, where the birds of prey
flew about, as desirous of blood, a Divine voice came to him, declaring
that their neighbors would be grievous to his posterity, when they
should be in Egypt, for four hundred years; [20] during which time
they should be afflicted, but afterwards should overcome their enemies,
should conquer the Canaanites in war, and possess themselves of their
land, and of their cities.

4. Now Abram dwelt near the oak called Ogyges,--the place belongs to
Canaan, not far from the city of Hebron. But being uneasy at his wife's
barrenness, he entreated God to grant that he might have male issue; and
God required of him to be of good courage, and said that he would add to
all the rest of the benefits that he had bestowed upon him, ever since
he led him out of Mesopotamia, the gift of children. Accordingly Sarai,
at God's command, brought to his bed one of her handmaidens, a woman
of Egyptian descent, in order to obtain children by her; and when this
handmaid was with child, she triumphed, and ventured to affront Sarai,
as if the dominion were to come to a son to be born of her. But when
Abram resigned her into the hand of Sarai, to punish her, she contrived
to fly away, as not able to bear the instances of Sarai's severity to
her; and she entreated God to have compassion on her. Now a Divine Angel
met her, as she was going forward in the wilderness, and bid her return
to her master and mistress, for if she would submit to that wise advice,
she would live better hereafter; for that the reason of her being
in such a miserable case was this, that she had been ungrateful and
arrogant towards her mistress. He also told her, that if she disobeyed
God, and went on still in her way, she should perish; but if she would
return back, she should become the mother of a son who should reign over
that country. These admonitions she obeyed, and returned to her master
and mistress, and obtained forgiveness. A little while afterwards, she
bare Ismael; which may be interpreted Heard of God, because God had
heard his mother's prayer.

5. The forementioned son was born to Abram when he was eighty-six years
old: but when he was ninety-nine, God appeared to him, and promised him
that he Should have a son by Sarai, and commanded that his name should
be Isaac; and showed him, that from this son should spring great nations
and kings, and that they should obtain all the land of Canaan by war,
from Sidon to Egypt. B