OliveGrove
Pressing the Word of God for Deeper Understanding.

Ishmael יִשְׁמָעֵאל

Male Arabia H3458G 5 books

Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of Arab tribes.

Biography

Ishmael was the first son of Abraham, born to him through Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant (Gen.16.15). His birth came after Sarah, who was barren, had given Hagar to Abraham to bear a child on her behalf. God spoke to Hagar, telling her to name the child Ishmael, meaning "God hears" (Gen.16.11).

As he grew, Ishmael became a skilled archer (Gen.21.20). When Isaac was born to Sarah, she insisted that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away (Gen.21.10). God confirmed this action but promised to make Ishmael a great nation (Gen.21.13,18). Ishmael settled in the wilderness of Paran and married an Egyptian woman (Gen.21.21).

Ishmael had twelve sons who became tribal rulers (Gen.17.20; 25.13-16). He lived to be 137 years old (Gen.25.17). Ishmael and Isaac together buried their father Abraham (Gen.25.9).

Ishmael's descendants, the Ishmaelites, are mentioned as traders who purchased Joseph from his brothers (Gen.37.25-28; 39.1). They are also noted as skilled archers (Isa.21.17) and as enemies of Israel (Psa.83.6). One of David's warriors, Zebadiah, was the son of an Ishmaelite (1Ch.2.17; 27.30).

Ishmael represents the ancestors of various Arab tribes. His story illustrates God's faithfulness to His promises, even to those not chosen for the primary covenant line.

Family

Parents

Siblings

Offspring

In Scripture

5 biblical books ; 2 with study content
Genesis 5 verses
  • Genesis 16:11

    "Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard your affliction."

    Study Genesis →
  • Genesis 16:15

    "Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael."

    Study Genesis →
  • Genesis 16:16

    "Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram."

    Study Genesis →
  • Genesis 17:18

    "Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”"

    Study Genesis →
  • Genesis 17:20

    "As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation."

    Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 1:28

    "The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael."

  • 1 Chronicles 1:29

    "These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,"

  • 1 Chronicles 1:31

    "Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael."

  • 1 Chronicles 2:17

    "Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite."

  • 1 Chronicles 27:30

    "and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite."

Judges 1 verse
  • Judges 8:24

    "Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)"

Psalms 1 verse
  • Psalms 83:6

    "The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites;"

    Study Psalms →
2 Samuel 1 verse
  • 2 Samuel 17:25

    "Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew יִשְׁמָעֵאל H3458G
Group Hebrew יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי H3459
(same form as previous) Hebrew יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי H3459
Group Hebrew יִשְׂרְאֵלִי H3481G