Genesis 17:18 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And Abraham said to God, 'Oh, I wish that Ishmael could live under your blessing!'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Abraham is pleading with God to include his son Ishmael in the covenant promises, hoping God will bless and accept him too.

📚 Historical Context

In Genesis 17, God is renewing His covenant with Abraham, promising him a son through his wife Sarah despite their advanced age, as part of God's plan to make Abraham the father of many nations. Abraham already has a son named Ishmael from his concubine Hagar, and he is deeply attached to him, seeing Ishmael as his heir. When God specifies that the covenant son will come through Sarah, Abraham responds by pleading for Ishmael's blessing and prosperity.

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Genesis 17:20

And concerning Ishmael, I have heard your prayer: Look, I have blessed him, and I will make him have many children, and I will multiply his descendants greatly; he will father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.

1 Chronicles 1:28

Abraham's sons were Isaac and Ishmael.

Genesis 16:15

And Hagar gave birth to a son for Abram, and Abram named the son that Hagar bore him Ishmael.

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