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Ishmael יִשְׁמָעֵאל

Male Arabia H3458G 5 books

Son of Abraham and Hagar; father of Arab tribes.

Who is Ishmael in the Bible?

Ishmael was the first son of Abraham, born to him through Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, as recorded in Genesis 16:15. God revealed to Hagar that she would bear a son and instructed her to name him Ishmael, meaning "God hears" (Genesis 16:11). Though Isaac later became Abraham's chosen heir through Sarah, God blessed Ishmael as well, promising to make him a great nation and the father of twelve tribal rulers (Genesis 17:20, 25:13-16). Ishmael grew to be a skilled archer, settled in the wilderness of Paran, married an Egyptian woman, and lived to 137 years old (Genesis 25:17). His significance in biblical history lies in his role as the ancestor of various Arab peoples and as a testament to God's faithfulness in blessing those outside the primary line of covenant inheritance.

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

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Offspring

In Scripture

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

    "The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction."

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  • Genesis 16:15

    "And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne."

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  • Genesis 16:16

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

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  • Genesis 17:18

    "And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”"

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  • Genesis 17:20

    "As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation."

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1 Chronicles 5 verses
  • 1 Chronicles 1:28

    "The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael."

  • 1 Chronicles 1:29

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

  • 1 Chronicles 1:31

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

  • 1 Chronicles 2:17

    "Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite."

  • 1 Chronicles 27:30

    "Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys."

Judges 1 verse
  • Judges 8:24

    "Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)"

Psalms 1 verse
  • Psalms 83:6

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

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2 Samuel 1 verse
  • 2 Samuel 17:25

    "Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab."

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Hebrew יִשְׁמָעֵאל yišĕmāʿēʾl Jishmael , the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites
Group Hebrew יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי — —
(same form as previous) Hebrew יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי — —
Group Hebrew יִשְׂרְאֵלִי — —