Hagar as Pharaoh’s Daughter
She had an Egyptian maidservant, whose name was Hagar (Genesis 16:1). R. Simeon bar Yoḥai said: Hagar was the daughter of Pharaoh, and when Pharaoh had witnessed the deeds that were performed in his household for the sake of Sarah, he took his own daughter and gave her to [Abraham]. He said, “It is better that my daughter be a maidservant in this household than a lady in any other household.” As it is written: She had an Egyptian maidservant, whose name was Hagar. Abimelech also, when he witnessed the wonders that were performed in his household for the sake of Sarah, took his own daughter and gave her to [Abraham]. He said, “It is better that my daughter be a maidservant in this household than a lady in any other household.” As it is written: The daughters of kings are among your honorable women. The queen, arrayed in the gold of Ophir, stands at your right hand (Psalm 45:10).
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.