Topical Bible: Rulers: Ishmael

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abraham, holds a significant place in biblical history as a patriarch and a ruler. His account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as a key figure in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abraham.

Birth and Early Life

Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, as a result of Sarah's impatience with God's promise of a son. In Genesis 16:11-12 , the angel of the LORD prophesies about Ishmael's future, saying, "You have conceived and will bear a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your affliction. 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."

Covenant and Blessing

Although Ishmael was not the child of promise through whom God's covenant would be established, he was still blessed by God. In Genesis 17:20 , God assures Abraham, "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation."

Exile and God's Provision

The tension between Sarah and Hagar eventually led to Ishmael and his mother being sent away. In Genesis 21:14-21 , Abraham sends them into the wilderness, where God provides for them. The LORD hears the boy's cries and reassures Hagar of His promise to make Ishmael into a great nation. This divine intervention underscores God's faithfulness and care for Ishmael despite the circumstances of his birth.

Ishmael's Descendants and Legacy

Ishmael's legacy is marked by the twelve princes he fathered, as recorded in Genesis 25:13-16 . These descendants became the heads of twelve tribes, fulfilling God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation. The Ishmaelites, as they came to be known, played a significant role in the region's history and are often mentioned in the context of trade and interactions with the Israelites.

Relationship with Isaac

Ishmael's relationship with his half-brother Isaac is complex. While initially marked by conflict, as seen in Genesis 21:9-10 , where Sarah sees Ishmael mocking Isaac, the two brothers come together to bury their father Abraham in Genesis 25:9 . This act of unity at Abraham's burial suggests a reconciliation of sorts, highlighting the enduring bond of family despite earlier tensions.

Significance in Biblical Narrative

Ishmael's account is a testament to God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His plans through both chosen and non-chosen lines. While Isaac was the child of promise, Ishmael's life and legacy demonstrate God's mercy and the fulfillment of His promises to all of Abraham's descendants. Ishmael's role as a ruler and patriarch of a great nation underscores the broader narrative of God's dealings with humanity and His faithfulness to His word.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... And when those that were carried away captives by Ishmael saw Johanan and the rulers,
they were very glad, and looked upon them as coming to their assistance ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his ...
... CXVI. Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot for, and Judas Bargains for His Death ... Ishmael,
Eleazar, and Simon held the office between the deposition of Annas and the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxvi jesus predicts the rulers.htm

Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty ...
... The monk exclaimed, in the presence of the rulers and the assembled people, "I am
not ... is the tribe which took its origin and had its name from Ishmael, the son ...
/.../chapter xxxviii concerning mania the phylarch.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... The patriarchs might be called family kings"the divinely appointed rulers of households. ...
ever be a mother, and invoked a blessing on Ishmael, but evidently ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Chapter xvii
... Some nations might have called such rulers "kings." Ishmaelites preferred the title ...
God gave a very generous response to Abraham's petition in Ishmael's behalf ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Set His People In Order, Under Their Rulers Of Thousands, And Rulers Of Hundreds ...
Left In Judea Which Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates ... the Red
Sea, and sent back his sons to Jerusalem, who persuaded one Ishmael and his ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Three of their rulers are mentioned in the Assyrian inscriptions, from which we
learn ... The name of Ishmael is met with in Babylonian contracts of the age of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Hebrews xi. 17-19
... he hath, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me." ( Luke 14:27, 33.) And again,
"Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings ... Of whom was Ishmael sprung? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxv hebrews xi 17-19.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... Again, in the twenty-first chapter, is recorded the marriage of Ishmael to an ... glimpses
of the Hebrews in the wilderness, their progress and rulers in Palestine ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm