Who Was Ishmael In The Bible? Son of Abraham, Isaac's Half-Brother
The Bible tells us that Abraham, the father of faith, had two children. One was born when he was still known as Abram, and the other one was born when God changed his name to Abraham. Of course, every Christian knows the younger son, Isaac, for he was God's promised son. Not everyone knows the older son, however.
His name is Ishmael.
Who is Ishmael?
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Ishmael is "the son of a slavewoman" (Galatians 4:22). He is the son of Abraham and Sarah's own maidservant, the Egyptian woman named Hagar.
Abraham had a son with Hagar upon Sarah's own request. Ironically, after Abraham believed God's promise to give him descendants as numerous as the stars, he listened to his wife's request to have a child through her own maid, because she thought "the LORD has restrained me from bearing children" (see Genesis 16:2). As a result, Abraham impregnated Hagar.
Later, though, God's promise to Abraham is fulfilled the proper way and Sarah becomes pregnant with their child. But this angers Hagar, who starts to treat Sarah with contempt and Sarah retaliates by sending Hagar away.
Later, the angel of the LORD hears Hagar's cries and tells her to submit to Sarah, while also blessing the child in her womb and instructing her to name him Ishmael "because the LORD has heard your affliction."
Ishmael was born when Abraham was eighty-six years old. He is about fourteen years older than Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah.
Ishmael's person
The Bible describes to us what kind of person Ishmael is. Here are some descriptions:
He has an antagonistic nature
The angel of the LORD told Hagar before Ishmael was born that he would be very antagonistic against others, regardless of stature or age. Others would be against him as well.
"He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand will be against him. And he will dwell in the presence of all his brothers." (Genesis 16:12)
When Isaac was born, Ishmael mocked him. This made Sarah ask Abraham to cast him and his mother Hagar out of the household for good. (see Genesis 21:8-14)
His destiny is a great nation
Although Ishmael is the son of a slavewoman, God decided to bless him because he's still a son of Abraham.
"But God said to Abraham, "Do not be upset concerning the boy and your slave wife. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to what she says, for in Isaac your descendants will be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the slave woman, because he is your offspring."" (Genesis 21:12-13)
He has a large family
With the help of his mother, Ishmael married an unnamed Egyptian woman (see Genesis 21:21). He had twelve sons, all of them becoming founders of twelve tribes named after them. Their names are Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. (see Genesis 25:13-15)
Ishmael lived to a ripe old age of 137, and died in the presence of his relatives.
