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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm" title="Genesis 17:17">◄</a> Genesis 17:18 <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm" title="Genesis 17:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, &#8220If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, &#8220Oh that Ishmael might live before You!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael [my firstborn] might live before You!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael were acceptable to you! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Abraham said to God, &#8220If only Ishmael were acceptable to You!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then he asked God, "Why not let Ishmael inherit what you have promised me?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Abraham said to God, "Why not let Ishmael be my heir?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He asked God, "Why not let Ishmael be my heir?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Abraham responded to God, "If only Ishmael would live in constant awareness that you're always with him!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, ?O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmael might live before you!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham says to God, “O that Ishmael may live before You”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abraham saith unto God, 'O that Ishmael may live before Thee;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham will say to God, O for Ishmael to live before thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said to God: O that Ismael may live before thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said to God, “If only Ishmael would live in your sight.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael could live in your favor!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live in thy presence!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And God said to Abraham, “Truly Sara your wife shall give birth to a son for you, and you shall call his name Isaaq, and I shall establish my covenant with him for an eternal covenant and with his seed after him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abraham said unto God: 'Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abraam said to God, Let this Ismael live before thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-18.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=3604" 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">17</span>Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">And Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3863.htm" title="3863: lū (Prep) -- If, oh that. Or lu; or luw; a conditional particle; if; by implication would that!">“O that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3458.htm" title="3458: yiš·mā·‘êl (N-proper-ms) -- From shama' and 'el; God will hear; Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites.">Ishmael</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: yiḥ·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">might live</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">under Your blessing!”</a> </span><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.…<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/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10-12</a></span><br />and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. / But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-15.htm">Genesis 16:15-16</a></span><br />And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. / Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-3</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.<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="/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="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-31</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10-14</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-2.htm">Genesis 22:2</a></span><br />“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17-18</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Genesis 15:4-5</a></span><br />Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”<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/18-17.htm">Genesis 18:17-19</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? / Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. / For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Genesis 26:2-5</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you. / Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18-21</a></span><br />Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a></span><br />I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before you!</p><p class="hdg">O that.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/32-39.htm">Jeremiah 32:39</a></b></br> And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/2-39.htm">Acts 2:39</a></b></br> For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, <i>even</i> as many as the Lord our God shall call.</p><p class="hdg">before.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Genesis 4:12,14</a></b></br> When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Psalm 4:6</a></b></br> <i>There be</i> many that say, Who will shew us <i>any</i> good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/41-12.htm">Psalm 41:12</a></b></br> And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/2-15.htm">Care</a> <a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Ishmael</a> <a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Ish'mael</a> <a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Ishmael's</a> <a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Sight</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-22.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/24-6.htm">Care</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Ishmael</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Ish'mael</a> <a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Ishmael's</a> <a href="/genesis/19-9.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/18-3.htm">Sight</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And Abraham said to God</b><br>This phrase highlights the direct communication between Abraham and God, a recurring theme in the patriarchal narratives. Abraham's relationship with God is characterized by openness and honesty, reflecting a deep covenantal bond. This interaction occurs after God has promised Abraham a son through Sarah, emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. Abraham's dialogue with God is reminiscent of other biblical figures who intercede or plead with God, such as Moses (<a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a>) and David (<a href="/2_samuel/7-18.htm">2 Samuel 7:18-29</a>).<p><b>O that Ishmael might live</b><br>Abraham's plea for Ishmael reveals his paternal concern and love for his firstborn son. Ishmael, born to Hagar, is about 13 years old at this time (<a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Genesis 16:16</a>; 17:25). Abraham's request reflects the cultural and historical context where the firstborn son held a significant position in the family lineage. This plea also underscores the tension between human desires and divine plans, as God had a specific purpose for Isaac, the son of promise. The mention of Ishmael connects to later narratives where God assures Abraham of Ishmael's future, promising to make him a great nation (<a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20</a>; 21:13).<p><b>under Your blessing!</b><br>The concept of blessing is central to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to bless Abraham and make him a great nation (<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a>). Abraham's desire for Ishmael to live under God's blessing indicates his hope for Ishmael's inclusion in the divine promises. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's blessing extending beyond the immediate covenant family, as seen in the eventual blessings upon Ishmael and his descendants. Theologically, this phrase points to the idea that God's blessings are not limited to one lineage but have a universal scope, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-14.htm">Galatians 3:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. At this point in Genesis, he is in a covenant relationship with God, who has promised him numerous descendants.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a></b><br>Abraham's first son, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. Ishmael is about 13 years old at this time and is deeply loved by Abraham.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, who has established a covenant with Abraham, promising him a son through Sarah and numerous descendants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_of_circumcision.htm">Covenant of Circumcision</a></b><br>The event in <a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17</a> where God establishes circumcision as a sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham's descendants.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promise_of_isaac.htm">Promise of Isaac</a></b><br>In the broader context of <a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17</a>, God promises Abraham a son, Isaac, through his wife Sarah, despite their old age.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_god's_promises.htm">Faith and God's Promises</a></b><br>Abraham's plea for Ishmael shows his love and concern for his son, but it also highlights the importance of trusting in God's specific promises. While Ishmael is blessed, God's covenant promise is through Isaac.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>God's plans and purposes are sovereign and often beyond human understanding. Abraham's desire for Ishmael's blessing is met with God's assurance of a different, yet significant, plan for Ishmael.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Abraham's life demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they challenge personal desires or expectations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_blessing_for_all.htm">God's Blessing for All</a></b><br>While the covenant promise is through Isaac, God still blesses Ishmael, showing His care and provision for all people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>Abraham had to wait many years for the fulfillment of God's promise. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and remain faithful in the waiting.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">O that</span> <span class= "bld">Ishmael . . . --</span>For thirteen years Ishmael had been the "son of the house" (<a href="/genesis/15-3.htm" title="And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, see, one born in my house is my heir.">Genesis 15:3</a>), and regarded probably as the true heir. Mingled then with Abraham's joy there was also the pain, natural to a father, of knowing that this transference of the promise to Sarah's child meant the deposition and disappointment of one who for so long had held the post of honour. Stoicism would have repressed this upright and natural feeling, but God hears and accepts the father's prayers; and while the birthright and religious pre-eminence is justly given to the son of the freewoman, there is a large earthly blessing for the handmaid's son.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!</span> Not implying that Abram was content with Hagar's child as the promised seed without waiting for Sarai s son (Jerome, Calvin, Kalisch); scarcely that he feared lest God might remove Ishmael by death now that Isaac had been promised (Wordsworth-); but probably that he desired that Ishmael might not only live and prosper (Bush), but share with Sarah s son in the blessings of the covenant (Keil, Longs, Rosenmüller, Murphy, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Inglis). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-18.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">And Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“O that</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3863.htm">Strong's 3863: </a> </span><span class="str2">If, would that!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ishmael</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mā·‘êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">might live</span><br /><span class="heb">יִחְיֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(yiḥ·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under Your [blessing]!”</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:18 Abraham said to God Oh that Ishmael (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:19" /></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>