Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(flight). Abraham’s concubine (Gen. 16:3). mother of Ishmael (Gen. 21:9-21). Type of law and bondage (Gal. 4:24-25).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid, given to Abraham, and the mother of Ishmael. When she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes, and on being harshly dealt with, she absconded; but the angel of the Lord bade her return. He would multiply her seed exceedingly. She called His name “Thou God seest me.” Fifteen years later, at the feast made by Abraham on the occasion of the weaning of Isaac, Ishmael was seen to mock, and Sarah besought Abraham to cast out Hagar and her son; being instructed by God he did so. Still God protected her and her son, and saved him when she thought he was about to die (Gen. 16:1-16; Gen. 21:9-20; Gen. 25:12).
An allegory is drawn from the above history in Galatians 4:24-31. Hagar (AGAR) answers to the covenant of law and to Jerusalem then in bondage; and Sarah to the covenant of promise and to Jerusalem above, which is free. The conclusion as to the believer is, “so then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” The Christian is not under the law nor in the flesh; but is free, under grace. Being the seed of Abraham according to promise, that is, being “of Christ,” or “Christ’s,” the gospel and new covenant blessings have come to believers through Him, and they are reckoned as of God’s city, Jerusalem above, that is free. The church is of God’s eternal counsel, heavenly, and is never in scripture called a mother.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation; Hagar, the mother of Ishmael
Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:
ensnaring: the sojourner
Potts’ Bible Proper Names:
Mid-day; flight; a stranger; that fears:―mother of Ishmael [AGAR], Gen. 16:1. {Meridies}