The answer is: Hagar

Gen 16:16

Hagar is quite an intriguing figure in the story surrounding the patriarch Abraham. In the biblical narrative, she comes into the picture as a servant to Sarah, Abraham's wife, who, because of her own struggle with infertility, offers Hagar to Abraham when she feels hopeless about having children. This introduces us to significant themes of hope and strife, as Hagar’s role offers a window into the complexities of human relationships and societal norms during that time.

Interestingly, Hagar is often highlighted as one of the first recorded women in the Bible to have a direct encounter with God. In Genesis 16, after she conceives and faces harsh treatment from Sarah, she flees into the desert and meets a divine messenger who tells her to return and offers profound promises about her son, Ishmael. Ishmael's name, which means "God listens," symbolizes God's awareness of the plight of the marginalized.

Her Egyptian descent adds additional layers to the interpretation—Hagar is not an Israelite, indicating that God's concern transcends ethnicity and that mercy can be found outside the typical lineages. In a way, she embodies a bridge between cultures and brings into focus the inclusive narrative of divine care. Hagar’s story echoes throughout the Scriptures and offers invaluable insights into how grace can move through unexpected corridors of human experience. Plus, in Islamic tradition, Hagar and Ishmael gain further significance, showing how her legacy spans many cultures beyond the immediate Biblical lineage.