Genesis 25:17
New International Version
Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people.

New Living Translation
Ishmael lived for 137 years. Then he breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.

English Standard Version
(These are the years of the life of Ishmael: 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.)

Berean Standard Bible
Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

King James Bible
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

New King James Version
These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

New American Standard Bible
These are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

NASB 1995
These are the years of the life of Ishmael, one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

NASB 1977
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

Legacy Standard Bible
These are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years; and he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people.

Amplified Bible
Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years; then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people [who had preceded him in death].

Christian Standard Bible
This is the length of Ishmael’s life: 137 years. He took his last breath and died, and was gathered to his people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is the length of Ishmael’s life: 137 years. He took his last breath and died, and was gathered to his people.

American Standard Version
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.

English Revised Version
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Ishmael lived 137 years. Then he took his last breath and died. He joined his ancestors in death.

Good News Translation
Ishmael was 137 years old when he died.

International Standard Version
Ishmael lived for 137 years, then he took his last breath, died, and joined his ancestors.

Majority Standard Bible
Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

NET Bible
Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. He breathed his last and died; then he joined his ancestors.

New Heart English Bible
These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

Webster's Bible Translation
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael; a hundred and thirty and seven years: and he expired and died, and was gathered to his people.

World English Bible
These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he expires, and dies, and is gathered to his people;

Young's Literal Translation
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years; and he expireth, and dieth, and is gathered unto his people;

Smith's Literal Translation
And these the years of the life of Ishmael: a hundred years, and thirty years and seven years: and he will expire and die; and he will be added to his People.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the years of Ismael's life were a hundred and thirty-seven, and decaying he died, and was gathered unto his people.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the years of the life of Ishmael that passed were one hundred and thirty-seven. And declining, he died and was placed with his people.

New American Bible
The span of Ishmael’s life was one hundred and thirty-seven years. After he had breathed his last and died, he was gathered to his people.

New Revised Standard Version
(This is the length of the life of Ishmael, one hundred thirty-seven years; he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty-seven years; and he became sick and died; and was gathered to his people.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And these are the years of the life of Ishmayl: a hundred and thirty and seven years, and he became ill and he died and was gathered to his people.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years; and he expired and died; and was gathered unto his people.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the years of the life of Ismael, a hundred and thirty-seven years; and he failed and died, and was added to his fathers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Descendants of Ishmael
16These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes. 17Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.…

Cross References
Genesis 16:12
He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

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.

Genesis 21:13
But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”

Genesis 28:9
Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.

Genesis 36:1-3
This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom). / Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, / and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

Genesis 37:25-28
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. / Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. ...

Genesis 46:13
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.

Exodus 15:15
Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,

1 Chronicles 1:29-31
These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, / Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

Isaiah 21:13-17
This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites. / Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food. / For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle. ...

Jeremiah 49:28-33
Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. ...

Ezekiel 25:13-14
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Obadiah 1:6-9
But how Esau will be pillaged, his hidden treasures sought out! / All the men allied with you will drive you to the border; the men at peace with you will deceive and overpower you. Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you without your awareness of it. / In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau? ...

Romans 9:7-13
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” ...

Galatians 4:22-31
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered to his people.

A.

Genesis 25:7,8
And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years…

gathered.

Genesis 15:15
And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

Jump to Previous
Altogether Breathed Died Dieth End Expired Expireth Gathered Ghost Hundred Ishmael Ish'mael Kindred Life Peoples Rest Seven Spirit Thirty Thirty-Seven
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Altogether Breathed Died Dieth End Expired Expireth Gathered Ghost Hundred Ishmael Ish'mael Kindred Life Peoples Rest Seven Spirit Thirty Thirty-Seven
Genesis 25
1. The sons of Abraham by Keturah.
5. The division of his goods.
7. His age, death, and burial.
11. God blesses Isaac.
12. The generations of Ishmael.
17. His age and death.
19. Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.
22. The children strive in her womb.
24. The birth of Esau and Jacob.
27. Their different characters and pursuits.
29. Esau sells his birthright.














Ishmael lived
The name "Ishmael" means "God hears" in Hebrew, reflecting the divine promise and attention given to Hagar and her son. Ishmael's life, as recorded in Genesis, is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, even to those outside the covenant line of Isaac. His life was marked by God's provision and the fulfillment of the promise that he would become a great nation (Genesis 21:18).

a total of 137 years
The longevity of Ishmael's life is significant, as it reflects the blessing of God upon him. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a long life was often seen as a sign of divine favor. Ishmael's 137 years indicate that God's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael's prosperity and longevity was fulfilled. This also underscores the historical reality of the patriarchal age, where extended lifespans were common.

Then he breathed his last and died
This phrase is a common biblical expression for death, emphasizing the cessation of life. The Hebrew word for "breathed his last" (gava) conveys the idea of expiring or giving up the spirit. It is a reminder of the mortality that all humans face, regardless of their status or the promises they have received. Ishmael's death marks the end of an era and the transition of his descendants into their own narrative.

and was gathered to his people
This phrase is rich with cultural and theological significance. In the Hebrew context, being "gathered to his people" suggests a reunion with ancestors in the afterlife, indicating a belief in life beyond death. It reflects the continuity of the family line and the hope of being united with loved ones. This expression also highlights the communal aspect of identity in the ancient world, where one's people and lineage were central to their existence.

Verses 17, 18. - And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: - a life shorter by nearly half a century than that of Isaac (Genesis 35:21); does this prove the life-prolonging influence of piety? - and he gave up the ghost and died; and wee gathered unto his people (vide on ver. 8). And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward; Assyria (vide Genesis 10:29; Genesis 16:7): and He died - literally, fell down; not expired (Vulgate, A Lapide, Aben Ezra, et alii), but settled down, had his lot cast (Calvin, Keil, Kalisch); κατῴκησε (LXX.) in the presence of all his brethren (a fulfillment of Genesis 16:12).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Ishmael
יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל (yiš·mā·‘êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3458: Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites

lived
חַיֵּ֣י (ḥay·yê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

a total of
וְאֵ֗לֶּה (wə·’êl·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

137
מְאַ֥ת (mə·’aṯ)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3967: A hundred

years.
שָׁנָ֛ה (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

Then he breathed his last
וַיִּגְוַ֣ע (way·yiḡ·wa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1478: To breathe out, expire

and died,
וַיָּ֔מָת (way·yā·māṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and was gathered
וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף (way·yê·’ā·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his people.
עַמָּֽיו׃ (‘am·māw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


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OT Law: Genesis 25:17 These are the years of the life (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 25:16
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