Who
Abraham’s first son, born of Hagar. God heard Abraham’s prayer for him: “I have blessed him … He will become the father of twelve princes” (Genesis 17:20), and promised, “I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child” (Genesis 21:13). He was sent away with his mother after Isaac’s birth and grew up in the wilderness of Paran; he and Isaac buried their father together (Genesis 25:9). Paul reads him as the son “born according to the flesh” against Isaac, the son of the promise (Galatians 4:29).
Key verses
- Genesis 16:15
Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
- Genesis 17:20
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
- Genesis 21:13
I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”
- Genesis 25:13
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
- 1 Chronicles 1:28
The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
- Galatians 4:29
But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Where the Bible names him
Family
Discussed by
Comments on the verses that name him (8 of 15).
- Augustine of Hippo, The City of God XV.2
Of the Children of the Flesh and the Children of the Promise. There was indeed on earth, so long as it was needed, a symbol and foreshadowing image of this city, which served the purpose of reminding men that such a…
- Augustine of Hippo, The City of God XVII.3
Chapter 3.—Of the Three-Fold Meaning of the Prophecies, Which are to Be Referred Now to the Earthly, Now to the Heavenly Jerusalem, and Now Again to Both. Wherefore just as that divine oracle to Abraham, Isaac, and…
- Hilary of Poitiers, On the Trinity Book 4
1. The earlier books of this treatise, written some time ago, contain, I think, an invincible proof that we hold and profess the faith in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which is taught by the Evangelists and Apostles,…
- Tertullian, On Monogamy Chapter 6
The Case of Abraham, and Its Bearing on the Present Question. But let us proceed with our inquiry into some eminent chief fathers of our origin: for there are some to whom our monogamist parents Adam and Noah are not…
- Ambrose of Milan, On the Holy Spirit II.7
The Holy Spirit is no less the author of spiritual creation or regeneration than the Father and the Son. The excellence of that creation, and wherein it consists. How we are to understand holy Scripture, when it…
- Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 11
23–25; III. 1–5. 1. Opportunely has the Lord procured for us that this passage should occur in its order to day: for I suppose you have observed, beloved, that we have undertaken to consider and explain the Gospel…
- Gregory the Great, Epistles, Books IX–XIV XI.16
To Theoctista, Patrician. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation…
- Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History II.18
The Works of Philo that have come down to us. Chapter XVIII.—The Works of Philothat have come down to us. 1. Copious in language, comprehensive in thought, sublime and elevated in his views of divine Scripture, Philo…