Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abraham, is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly in the context of God's covenantal promises and the unfolding narrative of the patriarchs. Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, as recorded in Genesis 16. His birth was a result of Sarah's impatience for God's promise of offspring to be fulfilled through her, leading her to offer Hagar to Abraham as a surrogate.

The Bible records that Ishmael had twelve sons, who became princes and fathers of twelve tribes, as foretold by God. In Genesis 17:20 , God promises Abraham regarding Ishmael: "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation."

The names of Ishmael's sons are listed in Genesis 25:13-16 : "These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes."

These descendants of Ishmael settled in the region from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria. They lived in hostility toward all their brothers, as prophesied in Genesis 16:12 : "He will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."

Ishmael's lineage is significant in the biblical narrative as it highlights God's faithfulness to His promises, even to those outside the line of the covenant through Isaac. The Ishmaelites, as his descendants came to be known, played various roles throughout biblical history, often interacting with the Israelites. Notably, the Ishmaelites were involved in the sale of Joseph into slavery, as recorded in Genesis 37:25-28.

The legacy of Ishmael and his descendants is a testament to God's providence and the complexity of human relationships within the framework of divine promises. His account serves as a reminder of the broader scope of God's plans and the diverse peoples who emerge from the patriarchal narratives.Genesis 25:12-18
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham:
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 1:29-31
These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
Nave's Topical Index

God's Care for the Boy Ishmael
... THE OLD TESTAMENT GOD'S CARE FOR THE BOY ISHMAEL. ... very displeasing to Abraham because
the boy was his son. But Jehovah said to Abraham, "Do not be displeased ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/gods care for the boy.htm

The Story of Hagar and Ishmael
... And Hagar went away from Abraham's tent, leading her little boy. ... where she lived
and brought up her son in the ... And Ishmael grew up in the desert and learned to ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of hagar and.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... the father of the Arabs, who still live in tents as Ishmael did. ... to offer to the
Lord; but one day the Lord told Abraham to take his only son Isaac and ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Of the Children of the Flesh and the Children of the Promise.
... And we, brethren, are not children of the bond woman, but of the free, in ... 772] And
this was typified in the two sons of Abraham,"Ishmael, the son of Agar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of the children of.htm

Of Abraham's Obedience and Faith, which were Proved by the ...
... thy seed be called," when God calls Ishmael also his ... the promise may be the seed
of Abraham, they are ... which behoved to be fulfilled through this son whom God ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 32 of abrahams obedience and.htm

Abraham's Loyalty to God
... Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness Painted by WL Taylor ... The angel of Jehovah again
called to Abraham and said ... have not kept back your son, your only son, I will ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/abrahams loyalty to god.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... that must be offered, why will not Ishmael do, the ... at too great a distance) "spake
unto Abraham his father ... holy condescension) said, Here am I, my son." And to ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... departed the sons of his concubines from his son Isaac whilst ... all the days of the
life of Abraham were one ... good mind and age, and Isaac and Ishmael buried him ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

What is Meant by Abraham's Marrying Keturah after Sarah's Death.
... And yet, if Hagar and Ishmael, as the apostle teaches us ... But unto the sons of his
concubines Abraham gave gifts ... and sent them away from his son Isaac, (while he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 34 what is meant by.htm

Chapter xxv
... And Abraham expired and died at a good age, an old ... And his sons, Isaac and Ishmael,
buried him in the cave ... Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Who was Ishmael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the descendants of Ishmael? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Abraham banish Ishmael (Genesis 21:14)? | GotQuestions.org

Ishmael: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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