Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abraham, holds a significant place in biblical history as a key figure in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. Born to Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Ishmael's life is intricately woven into the account of God's promises and the establishment of His covenant people.

The account of Ishmael's circumcision is found in Genesis 17, a pivotal chapter where God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham and institutes the rite of circumcision as a sign of this everlasting covenant. In Genesis 17:10-11 , God commands Abraham, "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you."

At this time, Ishmael was thirteen years old. Genesis 17:23-25 records the obedience of Abraham to God's command: "On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, as God had told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen."

The circumcision of Ishmael is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marks Ishmael's inclusion in the covenant community, despite the fact that the covenantal promises would ultimately be fulfilled through Isaac, the son of Sarah. This act of obedience by Abraham underscores the importance of following God's commands and the inclusivity of God's covenant, extending even to those not directly in the line of promise.

Secondly, Ishmael's circumcision at the age of thirteen is noteworthy in the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, where such rites often marked the transition from childhood to manhood. This rite of passage for Ishmael signifies his formal recognition as a member of Abraham's household and a participant in the covenantal blessings and responsibilities.

While Ishmael's future would diverge from that of Isaac, with God promising to make him a great nation in his own right (Genesis 17:20), his circumcision remains a testament to the faithfulness of Abraham and the encompassing nature of God's covenant. Ishmael's life and legacy continue to be a subject of theological reflection, particularly in understanding the broader scope of God's redemptive plan and the unfolding of His promises through the generations.Genesis 17:23-26
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said to him.
Nave's Topical Index

Of God's Attestation to Abraham, by which He Assures Him, when Now ...
... After these things Ishmael was born of Hagar; and Abraham might ... The laughter of Abraham
is the exultation of one who ... of his in his heart, "Shall a son be born ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of gods attestation to.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... I beseech thee, Lord, that Ishmael may live before thee. Our Lord said to Abraham,
Sarah shall bring forth a son whom thou shalt name Isaac, and I ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

The Patriarchs.
... but the child of promise, Isaac, the son of his ... herds, and fine horses, much as Ishmael
himself must ... They are still circumcised, and honour Abraham as their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

Chapter xvii
... On this very day Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised, as well as all
the men of his household, those born in the house and those purchased for money ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

Chapter xxi
... 11. Birth of Isaac and Expulsion of Ishmael (v.1-21) ... And Abraham circumcised Isaac,
his son, as a lad of eight days, just as the Lord commanded him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... Immediately after God's appearing to Abraham, his consecration was manifest, first,
in his ... are saved too; and if you have a son, an Ishmael, concerning whom ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Acts XVI
... the group; for he was Paul's own son in the ... to a part of the circumcised descendants
of Abraham. ... was enjoined upon his descendants through Ishmael, through the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvi.htm

John Chapter ii. 23-25; iii. 5-Jan
... bond woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac ... Beware when Ishmael wishes to play
with Isaac, when he fawns on ... But Abraham, who was not bound to the maid by lust ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xi john chapter ii.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... refer to the bodily descendants of Abraham, as such, any more than the promise of
a son to Abraham was fulfilled in the birth of Ishmael, or than ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar
... is said, "It grieved Abraham because of his son;" and I do not suspect that Abraham's
attachment was ... There is one trait in Ishmael's character that you love ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the allegories of sarah and.htm

How many sons did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Ishmaelites? | GotQuestions.org

Ishmael: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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