Ishmael

Portrait of Ishmael

Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, after Sarah suggested the arrangement to fulfill God's promise of offspring through an alternative means. Following the birth of Isaac, tensions arose, leading Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away at Sarah's urging, but God heard their cries in the desert and ensured their survival while declaring that Ishmael would become a great nation. This account matters in Scripture because it demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word beyond the chosen covenant line through Isaac, establishing Ishmael as the ancestor of numerous Arab tribes and underscoring themes of divine provision and blessing.

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Biography

Born
c. 2080 BC
Age
137 years
Occupation
Archer, Desert Dweller
Father
Abraham
Mother
Hagar
Spouse
Egyptian wife
Children
Twelve princes
Era
Patriarchs
Nationality
Hebrew/Egyptian

Family

Parents
Abraham Hagar
โ†“
Ishmael โšญ Egyptian wife
โ†“
Children
Twelve princes
Old Testament Patriarchs Other Genesis

Did You Know?

1

Ishmael was circumcised at age 13, the first explicit instance of the rite in Scripture, occurring before Isaac's birth as part of the Abrahamic covenant that extended promises to both sons.

2

After being expelled into the wilderness, Ishmael settled in Paran and became a skilled archer, with God fulfilling the promise that he would father a great nation through his twelve princely sons listed in Genesis 25.

3

Ishmael and Isaac together buried Abraham at Machpelah, demonstrating a rare moment of fraternal cooperation between the rival half-brothers despite their earlier separation.

4

Ishmael's mother Hagar selected an Egyptian wife for him, preserving matrilineal ties to Egypt that later influenced the Ishmaelites' role as traders in Genesis narratives involving Joseph.

5

The biblical text notes Ishmael died at 137, outliving Abraham, with his descendants occupying territory from Havilah to Shur, establishing early Arab tribal identities recognized in both scriptural and historical scholarship.

Key Passages

Birth of Ishmael

Genesis 16:11-16

This passage shows God's compassionate care for the hurting, affirming that He hears their cries and grants purpose amid hardship.

A11nd 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.

12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every manโ€™s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his sonโ€™s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Read full chapter: Genesis 16 โ†’

God's Promise for Ishmael

Genesis 17:20-22

This passage shows Godโ€™s generous love extends abundant blessings and purpose to Ishmael, reminding us His care reaches every child of Abraham.

A20nd 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.

21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. 22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

Read full chapter: Genesis 17 โ†’

Sent Away with Hagar

Genesis 21:8-21

This passage shows God's compassionate care for the outcast, providing hope and a future even when others reject them.

A8nd the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abrahamโ€™s sight because of his son. 12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. 13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. 14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. 16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. 17 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. 18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. 19 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. 20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. 21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

Read full chapter: Genesis 21 โ†’

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