In the biblical narrative, the son of Abraham and Hagar is born out of a desperate attempt to fulfill God's promise of an heir. Genesis records the angel of the Lord's announcement to Hagar that her son will be a wild donkey of a man, and that he will live in hostility towards all his brothers. Despite this challenging prophecy, God hears the boy's cry and provides for him in the wilderness, as seen in Genesis. The story of this son is intertwined with the covenant promises of God, as expressed in Genesis, emphasizing God's sovereign care and provision.
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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.
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.”
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.
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.”
Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
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.
Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.
And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.
These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.