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He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/01_Gen_17_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:20 - The Covenant of Circumcision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. 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He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard <i>and</i> listened to you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will greatly multiply him [through his descendants]. He will be the father of twelve princes (chieftains, sheiks), and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father twelve tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father 12 tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />However, I have heard what you asked me to do for Ishmael, and so I will also bless him with many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make his family a great nation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have heard your request about Ishmael. Yes, I will bless him, make him fertile, and increase the number of his descendants. He will be the father of 12 princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have heard your request about Ishmael, so I will bless him and give him many children and many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make a great nation of his descendants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I've heard you. I'll bless him, and he'll have many descendants. I will multiply him greatly, he'll father twelve tribal leaders, and I'll cause his descendants to become a great nation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes; I will make him into a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Look, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes does he beget, and I have made him become a great nation;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> As to Ishmael, I have heard thee; lo, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes doth he beget, and I have made him become a great nation;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I blessed him and made him fruitful, and I multiplied him with might exceedingly: twelve chiefs shall he beget, and I will give him into a great nation.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And as for Ismael I have also heard thee. Behold, I will bless him, and increase, and multiply him exceedingly: he shall beget twelve chiefs, and I will make him a great nation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Likewise, concerning Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I will bless and enlarge him, and I will multiply him greatly. He will produce twelve leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now as for Ishmael, I will heed you: I hereby bless him. I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him, and will multiply him, and will make him exceedingly great; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I shall establish my covenant with Isaaq, for Sara will give birth for you at this time next year.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And concerning Ismael, behold, I have heard thee, and, behold, I have blessed him, and will increase him and multiply him exceedingly; twelve nations shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3626" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">The Covenant of Circumcision</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3458.htm" title="3458: ū·lə·yiš·må̄·ʿēl (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- From shama' and 'el; God will hear; Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites.">As for Ishmael,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma‘·tî·ḵā (V-Qal-Perf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">I have heard you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">and I will surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: bê·raḵ·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">bless</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6509.htm" title="6509: wə·hip̄·rê·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To bear fruit, be fruitful. A primitive root; to bear fruit.">I will make him fruitful</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: wə·hir·bê·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">and multiply</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: bim·’ōḏ (Prep-b:: Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">greatly.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yō·w·lîḏ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">He will become the father</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nêm- (Number-md) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">of twelve</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘ā·śār (Number-ms) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5387.htm" title="5387: nə·śî·’im (N-mp) -- Or nasi'; from nasa'; properly, an exalted one, i.e. A king or sheik; also a rising mist.">rulers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ū·nə·ṯat·tîw (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs:: 3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and I will make him</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">into a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: lə·ḡō·w (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">nation.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-10.htm">Genesis 16:10-12</a></span><br />Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” / 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. / 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Genesis 21:13</a></span><br />But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Genesis 25:12-18</a></span><br />This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. / These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3-4</a></span><br />May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. / And may He give the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants, so that you may possess the land where you dwell as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a></span><br />And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-1.htm">Genesis 36:1-3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3</a></span><br />“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-4.htm">Genesis 48:4</a></span><br />and told me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you; I will make you a multitude of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Exodus 1:7</a></span><br />but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-10.htm">Deuteronomy 1:10-11</a></span><br />The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/1-28.htm">1 Chronicles 1:28-31</a></span><br />The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. / These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-8.htm">Psalm 105:8-11</a></span><br />He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Isaiah 60:6-7</a></span><br />Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. / All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-9</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11-13</a></span><br />And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. / For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">I have blessed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-10.htm">Genesis 16:10-12</a></b></br> And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude… </p><p class="hdg">twelve.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Genesis 25:12-18</a></b></br> Now these <i>are</i> the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham: … </p><p class="hdg">and I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Genesis 21:13,18</a></b></br> And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he <i>is</i> thy seed… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_john/5-1.htm">Beget</a> <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/4-23.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Fertile</a> <a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Fruitful</a> <a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/17-2.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/16-11.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/genesis/17-2.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Ishmael</a> <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Ish'mael</a> <a href="/genesis/17-2.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/15-14.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/genesis/17-2.htm">Numbers</a> <a href="/3_john/1-2.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/genesis/12-15.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/revelation/19-4.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/14-4.htm">Twelve</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/4-25.htm">Beget</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/genesis/27-39.htm">Fertile</a> <a href="/genesis/26-22.htm">Fruitful</a> <a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/19-3.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Ishmael</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Ish'mael</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/genesis/26-14.htm">Numbers</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Twelve</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">God renews the covenant with Abram, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Circumcision is instituted.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the broader context of <a href="/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17</a>, God is establishing His covenant with Abraham, primarily through Isaac, yet He acknowledges Abraham's plea for Ishmael. This demonstrates God's attentiveness to the prayers and desires of His people, even when they concern those outside the primary covenant line. It reflects God's compassion and willingness to bless beyond the immediate covenant promises.<p><b>and I will surely bless him;</b><br>God's promise to bless Ishmael shows His grace and generosity. Although Ishmael is not the child of promise through whom the covenant will be fulfilled, God still extends His blessing. This blessing includes material prosperity and numerous descendants, which is a common theme in God's promises to the patriarchs. It highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to bless whom He chooses, regardless of human expectations or plans.<p><b>I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly.</b><br>This promise echoes the language used in God's covenant with Abraham, indicating a significant increase in Ishmael's descendants. The phrase "fruitful and multiply" is reminiscent of the creation mandate in <a href="/genesis/1-28.htm">Genesis 1:28</a>, suggesting a divine intention for growth and expansion. Historically, Ishmael is considered the ancestor of many Arab tribes, fulfilling this promise of multiplication and fruitfulness.<p><b>He will become the father of twelve rulers,</b><br>This prophecy is fulfilled in <a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Genesis 25:13-16</a>, where the names of Ishmael's twelve sons are listed, each becoming a tribal leader. The number twelve is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or divine order, as seen in the twelve tribes of Israel. This parallel structure between Ishmael's and Israel's descendants underscores God's orderly plan and the importance of Ishmael's lineage in the broader biblical narrative.<p><b>and I will make him into a great nation.</b><br>The promise of a "great nation" for Ishmael parallels God's earlier promise to Abraham regarding Isaac. While Ishmael's descendants do not inherit the covenant promises given to Isaac, they still become a significant and influential people group. This reflects God's ability to work through various nations and peoples to accomplish His purposes. Historically, the Arab nations trace their lineage to Ishmael, and their prominence in the ancient and modern world attests to the fulfillment of this promise.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a></b><br>The first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. Ishmael is a significant figure as the recipient of God's promise of blessing and multiplication.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, to whom God made several covenants, including the promise of a son through Sarah and blessings for Ishmael.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hagar.htm">Hagar</a></b><br>An Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, who bore Ishmael to Abraham. Her account is intertwined with God's promises to Abraham and Ishmael.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/twelve_rulers.htm">Twelve Rulers</a></b><br>Refers to the twelve sons of Ishmael, who became leaders of their own tribes, fulfilling God's promise of making Ishmael a great nation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/great_nation.htm">Great Nation</a></b><br>God's promise to make Ishmael's descendants into a significant and numerous people, highlighting God's faithfulness to His word.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>Despite Ishmael not being the child of the covenant, God still honors His promise to bless him, demonstrating His faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_blessing.htm">God's Sovereignty in Blessing</a></b><br>God's decision to bless Ishmael shows that His plans and purposes extend beyond human expectations and limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_intercession.htm">The Importance of Intercession</a></b><br>Abraham's concern for Ishmael and God's response highlight the power and importance of intercessory prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a></b><br>Ishmael's descendants becoming a great nation reminds us of the lasting impact of our lives and the importance of leaving a godly legacy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_plan.htm">Understanding God's Plan</a></b><br>While Ishmael was not the child through whom the covenant would be fulfilled, God's plan for him was still significant, teaching us to trust in God's broader purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_arabs.htm">What does the Bible say about Arabs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_mecca's_significance_in_islam.htm">What is Mecca's significance in Islam?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_believe_in_jesus.htm">What became of Ishmael?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_animals_were_on_the_ark.htm">What does the Bible say about Arabs?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee</span> (meaning, also, "and will grant thy prayer; an allusion to the significance of the name Ishmael, "God hears"): <span class="cmt_word">Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he begot</span> (<span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Genesis 25:12-16</a>), <span class="cmt_word">and I will make him a great nation.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">As for Ishmael,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵ֘אל‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·yiš·mā·‘êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3458.htm">Strong's 3458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have heard you,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ֒</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ma‘·tî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] I will surely</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֣ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bless</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּרַ֣כְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(bê·raḵ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹת֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will make him fruitful</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִפְרֵיתִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hip̄·rê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6509.htm">Strong's 6509: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear fruit, be fruitful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and multiply him greatly.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hir·bê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He will become the father</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹלִ֔יד</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·lîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of twelve</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנֵים־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nêm-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - md<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rulers,</span><br /><span class="heb">נְשִׂיאִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(nə·śî·’im)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5387.htm">Strong's 5387: </a> </span><span class="str2">An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I will make</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְתַתִּ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·ṯat·tîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him into a great</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּדֽוֹל׃</span> <span class="translit">(gā·ḏō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nation.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְג֥וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḡō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:20 As for Ishmael I have heard you (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>