Ishmael, Abraham's first son through Hagar, Sara's handmaiden, is a significant figure in the Abrahamic religions (Genesis 16:3). He lived to be 137 years old (Genesis 25:17) and is traditionally considered the forefather of the Arab peoples.
Because Ishmael was born due to Abraham and Sarah's impatience with God's promise of an heir, Ishmael's life was marked by conflict and prophecy. He was foretold to be a "wild donkey of a man," living in hostility towards his relatives. Though not the bearer of God's covenant with Abraham through Isaac, Ishmael was nonetheless blessed by God to father a nation. He died at 137 years old, leaving a substantial lineage.
We may differ in how we perceive Ishmael, but one thing is sure: his life was God’s message to Abraham. To understand this, let us examine what the Bible tells about Ishmael.
Who is Ishmael in the Bible?
To understand Ishmael, let us go to the story of Abraham. Ishmael’s story started when God summoned Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3, as it is stated,
“Go from your country, your tribe, and your father’s house to the place that I will show you, And I will create you a big country, bless you, and magnify your name so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who insult you, and in you shall be blessed all the families of the earth.”
Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was barren at the time. The couple had no children. Even though God reiterated His promise to Abraham in a lavish covenant ceremony, which we can read in Genesis 15, the couple attempted to help God fulfill His promise.
Abraham accepted Sarah’s suggestion that they start a family with her maidservant, Hagar (Genesis 16:2). This was a form of surrogacy at the time, with the child being considered Abraham and Sarah’s child.
However, things didn’t turn out as planned. When Hagar discovered she was pregnant, she despised her mistress (Genesis 16:4). “‘May the harm done to me be on you!’ Sarah said to Abraham. ‘I entrusted my servant to your embrace, and when she discovered she was pregnant, she stared down her nose at me. Between you and me, may the LORD decide!’” (Genesis 16:5).
Abraham assured Sarah that Hagar was free to do anything she wanted. Hagar fled from Sarah as stated in Genesis 16:6, “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar, so she fled from her.”
The Descendants of Ishmael Today
According to biblical tradition and historical interpretations, the descendants of Ishmael are generally considered to be the Arab people. This is based on genealogies and narratives in the Bible and other historical records, suggesting that Ishmael's offspring settled in the Arabian Peninsula. This lineage also plays a significant role in Islamic tradition, as Ishmael is regarded as an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad, further linking him to the Arab nations.
According to Genesis 25:12-18, Ishmael's sons became the leaders of twelve tribes across the Arabian Peninsula, thus linking him to the Arab nations. The Bible describes Ishmael's descendants as living in hostility with all their kin, a prophecy indicating their widespread influence and turbulent interactions (Genesis 16:12). This connection is also significant in Islamic tradition, further reinforcing his importance in Arab history and culture.
God's Providence in Ishmael's Story
Hagar was out in the wilderness when God, ever trustworthy, saw her. The LORD’s angel spoke to her and promised that her descendants would be multiplied “until they could not be counted for multitude” (Genesis 16:10).
He explained, “You are pregnant and will give birth to a son. Because the LORD has heard your anguish, you should name him Ishmael. He’ll be a wild donkey of a man, with his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he’ll live among his relatives” (Genesis 16:11-12; Gen. 17:11-12).
Ishmael’s name means “God hears.” Hagar referred to God as a “seeing God” and referred to the location as “Beer-lahai-roi” at the time. The name God El Roi is derived from this. Hagar obeyed God’s command and returned to Abraham and Sarah. She gave birth to a son whom she named Ishmael, as God had commanded.
God gave Abraham the sign of circumcision about 13 years after Ishmael was born (Genesis 17). God reminded Abraham of His promise, telling him that Sarah would bear a son and that her descendants would be rulers (Genesis 17:15-16).
Abraham’s affection for Ishmael was clear from the moment he met him. “‘Shall a child be born to a father who is a hundred years old?’ he muttered to himself and chuckled. Is it possible for Sarah, who is ninety years old, to have a child?’ ‘Oh, that Ishmael might live before you!’ Abraham prayed to God” (Genesis 17:17-18). God’s promise looked too good to be true, and Abraham truly cared about Ishmael.
“No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac,” God said. “I’m going to make my promise with him an everlasting covenant for his descendants. I have heard you about Ishmael, and I have blessed him, and I will make him fertile and multiply him much. I will make him into a powerful nation by having him father twelve princes. But I will make my promise with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you next year at this time” (Genesis 17:19–21).
God did not ignore Ishmael, even though Isaac was to be the son through whom the Messiah, Jesus, would be descended and through whom God would fulfill His covenant with Abraham.
When Abraham was 100, Sarah conceived, and Isaac was born (Genesis 21:1-7). When Isaac was weaned, perhaps around the age of three or four, Sarah noticed Ishmael, who was probably about 17 years old at the time, taunting him.
Hagar and Ishmael should be expelled, she told Abraham (Genesis 21:8-10). Abraham was furious, but God ordered him to follow Sarah’s instructions (Genesis 21:11–12).
Abraham got up early in the morning and provided provisions for Hagar and Ishmael. Mother and son roamed the desert until they ran out of water and resources and were on the verge of dying (Genesis 21:14–16).
Hagar walked away from Ishmael and grieved, not wanting to see him die. “And God heard the boy’s voice, and God’s angel called to Hagar from heaven” (Genesis 21:17). He inquired as to what was bothering Hagar and assured her that God had heard her.
He promised her that He would turn Ishmael into a powerful nation. In addition, he showed her a well of water. Ishmael and Hagar relied on God’s provision for their survival. “And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He spent his life in the woods, honing his bow skills. He resided in the Paran wilderness, and his mother brought him a wife from Egypt” (Genesis 21:20–21).
Although Ishmael is not the offspring of God’s promise to Abraham, God’s benefits for Ishmael were realized. Although it would be erroneous to assert that Ishmael was the father of all Arabs, he is likely the ancestor of many Arabs.
We can see that he has a large family (Genesis 16:10). Even today, there is still conflict between Ishmael's descendants and Isaac's descendants. (Genesis 16:12).
What Does Ishmael Teach Us about God's Mercy?
Ishmael's story shows God’s grace, mercy, and patience. God honored His promise to bless Abraham’s offspring through Sarah, but He also acknowledged and blessed Ishmael and Hagar.
Ishmael’s life demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His people. It also serves as a warning when we are tempted to “assist” God in fulfilling his promises. It also serves as a reminder of the distinction between human effort and divine wonders.
Paul uses Hagar as an illustrative example of enslavement to the law in Galatians 4 and Sarah as a figurative example of freedom in Christ in Galatians 5. Our salvation is based on God’s grace, not our own works (Galatians 4:21–31; Ephesians 2:1–10).
For further reading:
How God Met Hagar in Her Deepest Need
Why Did God Bless Abraham and Sarah Even after They Disobeyed?
What Was God’s Promise to Abraham?
Why Did God Withhold from His Most Faithful in the Bible?
Who Were Abraham’s Sons? Ishmael and Isaac in the Bible
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Matt Hoffman
Glory Dy has been a content creator for more than 10 years. She lives in a quiet suburb with her family and four cats.
