The angel informs Hagar that she will have a son to be named Yishmael (translation is: God will hear) because God has heard your suffering.
RSRH points out that this is rare. Typically in scripture suffering is “seen” as opposed to “heard.” He explains that in this case , there was no physical suffering ; nothing to be seen. The pain was the feeling in her heart after being reminded by Sarah of her dependence on her and the need to continue her and her son’s education under Sarah’s tutelage. It was heard (sensed and understood) by God.
(On verse 13 Hirsch adds that the name Yishmael in the future, God will hear, was a lesson to Hagar and added to her education about God. God hear and will always hear, even seeing into the unknown future. Hagar called God “the God who sees me. She was not yet free. She couldn’t yet understand that God is far beyond that.)
Beraishis 16: 11-14
page 374-376
