What does the Bible say about Ishmael?

Ishmael was the first son of Abraham, born to him through Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant. His story illustrates both the consequences of taking matters into one’s own hands and the mercy of God toward those outside the covenant.

Genesis 16:11–12 records the angel of the Lord’s prophecy to Hagar:

“Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him…”

Ishmael’s name means “God hears,” reflecting God’s attention to Hagar’s distress. Although Ishmael was not the child of promise, God still made specific promises concerning him. In Genesis 17:20, God told Abraham:

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly…”

Twelve princes would come from Ishmael, and he would become a great nation. However, the covenant would go through Isaac, the son born to Sarah by God’s promise (Genesis 17:21).

Conflict between Ishmael and Isaac began early. Genesis 21:9–10 notes that Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac and insisted that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. God affirmed this direction to Abraham, and they were cast out, but not abandoned. God protected them in the wilderness and reaffirmed His promise to Hagar in Genesis 21:17–18:

“God has heard the voice of the lad… for I will make him a great nation.”

Though Ishmael is not part of the covenant line, his life shows that God hears the afflicted and provides for them. He became the father of many Arab nations, and his descendants were numerous as promised.

Paul later uses Ishmael and Isaac allegorically in Galatians 4 to contrast the flesh and the promise, showing that those who trust in works or human effort are like Ishmael, while those who live by faith are like Isaac.

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