Ishmael
Gentile Son of Abraham and Hagar the Egyptian; father of the Ishmaelites · Creation & Patriarchs · Old Testament
- Name means
- God hears
- Role
- Firstborn son of Abraham
- When
- c. 2000 BC (traditional)
What they did
Born to Hagar; sent away with his mother after Isaac was born. He grew in the wilderness, became an archer, and fathered twelve princes.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God blessed him for Abraham's sake and made him a great nation, though the covenant line went through Isaac. His story shows God's faithfulness to people outside the chosen line.
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. Genesis 17:20 (KJV)
Bible references
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. Genesis 16:11 (KJV)
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. Genesis 17:20 (KJV)
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. Genesis 21:17-20 (KJV)
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; Genesis 25:9 (KJV)
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. Genesis 25:13-16 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Abraham
- Mother
- Hagar
- Spouse(s)
- An Egyptian wife (unnamed)
- Children
- Twelve princes including Nebajoth and Kedar; a daughter Mahalath
- Brothers / sisters
- Isaac (half-brother); sons of Keturah (half-brothers)
Helped Isaac bury Abraham (Genesis 25:9). Lived 137 years (Genesis 25:17).