Part 2 of the “Names of God” Bible Study Series
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are El Roi” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)
What the Name El Roi Means
The name El Roi, or “the God who sees me” came from a deeply personal moment.
The maidservant Hagar—pregnant, mistreated, and alone—ran away into the wilderness. She found herself by a spring in the desert, likely exhausted and unsure of what would come next.
But that’s where God met her. And in that moment, she gave Him a name: El Roi.
She is the only person in Scripture recorded as giving God a name like this—naming Him based on her experience of being seen.
But this kind of “seeing” is more than just noticing.
In Hebrew, the concept of “see” encompasses meanings such as awareness, understanding, care, and provision.
God knew her situation, cared about her pain and stepped into her story because El Roi is not distant or distracted. He sees the overlooked, the weary and the ones who feel forgotten.
And He sees you.
Why This Matters
It’s one thing to believe God is powerful, and another thing to believe He actually sees you.
Not just your circumstances—but your thoughts, your struggles, the quiet things you don’t want to say out loud.
Hagar didn’t go looking for God.
But He found her.
That means you are seen by God, valued in this season of your life, and aren’t alone in what you carry.
The same God who saw Hagar in the wilderness sees you right where you are today.
And He doesn’t just see—He understands.
Going Deeper
There’s another layer to this story that’s easy to miss.
When God found Hagar, He spoke to her, making promises about her future and telling her to name her son Ishmael, which means “God hears.”
In the heart of the wilderness, Hagar encountered a God who sees, speaks, and hears. Her situation hadn’t fully changed yet…but her understanding of God had.
She came into that desert feeling abandoned.
She left knowing she was known.
That’s the kind of encounter El Roi offers.
For Bible Nerds (Like Me)
The One who met Hagar is described as “the angel of the Lord.” (NIV)
And that phrase matters. Here’s why:
In Scripture, the phrase “an angel of the Lord” usually refers to a created angel, like Gabriel, who visited Mary (Luke 1:26-27).But when it says, “the angel of the Lord,” it’s something more.
Many scholars understand this to be a theophany—a visible appearance of God. More specifically, a pre-incarnate (or pre-existence) appearance of Jesus Christ. This means that:
- The angel of the Lord speaks as God, not just for Him
- He makes promises only God can make
- Those He appears to often respond as if they’ve encountered God Himself
That means Hagar wasn’t just comforted by a messenger—she encountered the presence of God who was revealing how near He truly is.
Don’t Miss This
You don’t have to be in a desert to feel unseen. It can happen in a crowded home, a hectic season, or right in the middle of doing everything you’re supposed to be doing.
But just like Hagar—you are not invisible because El Roi sees you. The real you.
And the God who sees you…is already there with understanding, compassion, and hope.
Journaling Prompts
- When have I felt unseen or overlooked in my current season of life?
- What would change if I truly believed that God sees and understands me completely?
- How does knowing that God both sees and hears me bring comfort right now?
Color-Coding Suggestion
Theme: God’s Character → Personal / Near / Compassionate
(Use your assigned color for God’s character and mark Genesis 16:13)
Disclosure: The featured image was created by AI based on the subject of the post. Please note that AI does sometimes makes mistakes.
