Genesis 17:18
Genesis 17:18 in Multiple Translations
And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!
And Abraham said to God, If only Ishmael's life might be your care!
Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael always live under your blessing!”
And Abraham saide vnto God, Oh, that Ishmael might liue in thy sight.
And Abraham saith unto God, 'O that Ishmael may live before Thee;'
Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”
And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And he said to God: O that Ismael may live before thee.
Then Abraham said to God, “Perhaps you will let Ishmael receive your blessing and inherit all I possess.”
So then Abraham said to God, “Look, I already have a son, Ishmael. I want you to be good to him, so that he will be that son you are talking about.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 17:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 17:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
אַבְרָהָ֖ם
אֶל
הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ל֥וּ
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
יִחְיֶ֥ה
לְ/פָנֶֽי/ךָ
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אַבְרָהָ֖ם
ʼAbrâhâm
H85
Abraham
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Art | N-mp
ל֥וּ
lûwʼ
H3863
if
Conj
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
Yishmâʻêʼl
H3458
Ishmael
N-proper
יִחְיֶ֥ה
châyâh
H2421
to live
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ/פָנֶֽי/ךָ
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 17:18
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אַבְרָהָ֖ם
ʼAbrâhâm
H85
"Abraham"
N-proper
Abraham was a key figure in the Bible, the later name of Abram, and father of many children, including Ishmael and Isaac. He is first mentioned in Genesis 11:26 and his story is told throughout the book of Genesis. Abraham's life and faith are still studied today.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989); father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x § Abraham = "father of a multitude" or "chief of multitude" friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God's elective covenant
Usage: Occurs in 159 OT verses. KJV: Abraham. See also: Genesis 17:5; Genesis 24:9; Psalms 47:10.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
ל֥וּ
lûwʼ
H3863
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word means if or wish, used in phrases like if only or would that, expressing a desire or unlikely condition, as seen in Jeremiah and Daniel.
Definition: 1) if, oh that!, if only! 1a) if (unlikely condition) 1b) if only!, oh that!, would that!
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: if (haply), peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that). See also: Genesis 17:18; 1 Samuel 14:30; Psalms 81:14.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
Yishmâʻêʼl
H3458
"Ishmael"
N-proper
Ishmael means God will hear, and refers to Abraham's son with Hagar, as well as several other Israelites. He is mentioned in Genesis and Ezra. Ishmael is considered the progenitor of the Arabian peoples.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.22 § Ishmael = "God will hear" 1) son of Abraham and Sarah's handmaid Hagar and the progenitor of the Arabian peoples 2) son of Nethaniah and the murderer of Gedaliah 3) a Benjamite, one of the sons of Azel a descendant of Saul through Meribbaal or Mephibosheth 4) a Judaite, father of Zebadiah 5) a Judaite, son of Johanan and one of the captains who aided Jehoiada in restoring Joash to the throne 6) a priest of the family of Pashur with a foreign wife whom he was forced to put away by Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Ishmael. See also: Genesis 16:11; 2 Chronicles 19:11; Jeremiah 40:8.
יִחְיֶ֥ה
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
לְ/פָנֶֽי/ךָ
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
Study Notes — Genesis 17:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 17:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 17:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 17:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 17:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
- Sermons on Genesis 17:18
Context — The Covenant of Circumcision
16And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”
17Abraham 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?”
18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”
19But 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. 20As 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 2:39 | This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” |
| 2 | Psalms 41:12 | In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever. |
| 3 | Psalms 4:6 | Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD. |
| 4 | Genesis 4:12 | When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 32:39 | I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them. |
| 6 | Isaiah 59:2 | But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. |
| 7 | Genesis 4:14 | Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” |
Genesis 17:18 Summary
[Abraham is asking God to bless his son Ishmael, showing that he wants the best for his child, just like any parent would. However, God has other plans and promises to bless Ishmael in a different way, as seen in Genesis 17:20. This verse teaches us that God's ways are not our ways, and His plans are often bigger and better than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:9. By trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can learn to align our desires with His will, even when it's hard to understand.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Abraham asking God for in Genesis 17:18?
Abraham is asking God to bless his son Ishmael, indicating his desire for Ishmael to be the recipient of God's promise, as seen in Genesis 17:18, although God had other plans as stated in Genesis 17:19.
Why did Abraham laugh in Genesis 17:17 before making this request to God?
Abraham laughed because he found it hard to believe that he, at the age of 100, and his wife Sarah, at the age of 90, could have a child as promised by God in Genesis 17:16, which is a natural human reaction to an extraordinary promise.
Is Abraham's request for God to bless Ishmael a sign of lack of faith?
Abraham's request can be seen as a mixture of faith and human concern, as he is still trying to understand and align with God's plan, which is a common experience for many believers as they navigate between trusting God and their own understanding, similar to the experience of the father in Mark 9:24 who said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'
How does God respond to Abraham's request in Genesis 17:18?
God responds by reaffirming His original promise to Abraham, stating that his wife Sarah will bear him a son named Isaac, through whom God will establish His covenant, and also promising to bless Ishmael, making him fruitful and the father of a great nation, as seen in Genesis 17:19-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are the deepest desires of your heart, and are you bringing them before God in prayer, just as Abraham did in Genesis 17:18?
- How do you respond when God's promises seem impossible or hard to believe, and what can you learn from Abraham's example in Genesis 17:17-18?
- In what ways can you, like Abraham, demonstrate faith and trust in God's plans, even when they differ from your own, as seen in Genesis 17:19-20?
- What can you learn from Abraham's relationship with God, particularly in how he communicated his desires and concerns to Him, as demonstrated in Genesis 17:18?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 17:18
And Abraham said unto God,.... Being told he should have a son by Sarah, that should be his heir, he is concerned for Ishmael what would become of him; and who, being grown up, had doubtless a large
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 17:18
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! O that Ishmael. This expressed the natural solicitude of a parent. But God's thoughts are not as man's thoughts.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
Grant, O Lord, that the giving of one son may not be joined with the taking away of another; that Ishmael may faithfully serve thee, and may have a share in thy favour and gracious covenant. For this seems to be the meaning of this phrase of living before God, or in God’ s presence, by comparing a parallel phrase, of walking before God, , and elsewhere, and an opposite phrase, from thy face shall I be hid, .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
Genesis 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!Ver. 18. Oh that Ishmael might live.] The life of grace here, and of glory hereafter: that he be not "killed with death" when he dies, as Jezebel’ s children were.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
(18) O that Ishmael . . . —For thirteen years Ishmael had been the “son of the house” (Genesis 15:3), 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.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
Verse 18. O that Ishmael might live before thee!] Abraham, finding that the covenant was to be established in another branch of his family, felt solicitous for his son Ishmael, whom he considered as necessarily excluded; on which God delivers that most remarkable prophecy which follows in Genesis 17:20, and which contains an answer to the prayer and wish of Abraham: And as for Ishmael I have heard thee; so that the object of Abraham's prayer was, that his son Ishmael might be the head of a prosperous and potent people.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 17:18
18. said unto God] The previous verse contained what Abraham “said in his heart.” Aloud he expresses his incredulity in a more reverent manner, shewing that his hope of descendants rested upon Ishmael. might live before thee] i.e. that his life might be blessed by God’s special protection.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 17:18
18. O that Ishmael might live before thee — The patriarch seems to fear that Ishmael is to be cut off.
Sermons on Genesis 17:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Are the Children In? by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of praying for our children, acknowledging that they do not possess the Spirit of God by nature and expressing concern for their spiritual f |
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In Waiting by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of waiting on God's timing, using Abraham's journey as a key example. Despite God's promise of a son, Abraham and Sarah grew impatient and a |
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Loosing What You Love by Michael Durham | Michael Durham preaches on the importance of living in the spiritual realm while navigating the material realm, emphasizing the need to operate by faith rather than sight. He uses |
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Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Part 2 by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the limitations of our physical bodies in experiencing the power of God. He explains that no man can look upon the face of God and live becau |
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Sunday #1 Introduction to Revival by J. Edwin Orr | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of evangelism and its importance in spreading the word of God. He defines evangelism as presenting Jesus Christ in the power of th |
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Ephesians (Part 1) by Les Wheeldon | In this sermon, the speaker begins by acknowledging that as humans, we were once children of rock, living in sin and fulfilling our fleshly desires. The speaker emphasizes that the |
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The Love of God Manifested by David Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the consequences of sin in the world. He explains that although God created everything to be very good, sin has corrupted His creation. The |