Genesis 17:18 - Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”
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What does "Genesis 17:18" mean?
This verse, Genesis 17:18, expresses Abraham's heartfelt desire that God would bless his son Ishmael. To understand the verse fully, it's important to consider the context:
God's Promise to Abraham: In Genesis 17, God is establishing a covenant with Abraham. He promises to make Abraham the father of many nations and that kings will come from him (Genesis 17:6). A key part of the covenant is the promise of a son, Isaac, who will be born to Abraham and Sarah. This son will be the heir of the covenant.
Ishmael's Birth: Ishmael was Abraham's first son, born to Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. At this point, Abraham and Sarah were quite old, and Sarah was barren. They had taken matters into their own hands (following the custom of the time) to produce an heir through Hagar.
Abraham's Request: When God promises a son (Isaac) through Sarah, Abraham knows this is going to be a difficult thing to happen because they are so old. Abraham's response in Genesis 17:17 is a mix of disbelief and joy. Then, in verse 18, he pleads, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!"
What does "live before you" mean?
The phrase "live before you" or "live in your sight" is a common idiom in the Old Testament. It carries several layers of meaning:
1. Divine Favor and Blessing: It means that Abraham wanted Ishmael to be under God's blessing, protection, and care. He wanted Ishmael to be pleasing to God and to experience God's goodness in his life.
2. Preservation and Prosperity: It implies a prayer for Ishmael's long life, health, and overall well-being. Abraham hoped that Ishmael would thrive under God's watchful eye.
3. Recognition and Acceptance: It can also suggest a desire for God to acknowledge Ishmael and his descendants. Although Ishmael wasn't the chosen heir of the covenant, Abraham still wanted God to recognize and bless him.
In essence, Abraham was asking God to bless Ishmael even though Ishmael was not the son through whom the covenant promises would be fulfilled. Abraham loved his son and wanted the best for him, even if that "best" wasn't inheriting the specific covenant promise.
God's Response:
It's important to note God's response to Abraham's plea. In Genesis 17:20, God says, "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation."
God assures Abraham that while Ishmael won't inherit the covenant promise, he will still be blessed and become the father of a great nation. This shows God's grace and compassion extends beyond the specific line of the covenant.
In Summary:
Genesis 17:18 reveals Abraham's paternal love and concern for Ishmael. He wanted Ishmael to receive God's favor, protection, and blessing, even though Ishmael was not the son through whom God's covenant would be established. God graciously answered Abraham's prayer by promising to bless Ishmael and make him the father of a great nation.
Genesis 17:18 - Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!”
What does "Genesis 17:18" mean?
This verse, Genesis 17:18, expresses Abraham's heartfelt desire that God would bless his son Ishmael. To understand the verse fully, it's important to consider the context:
God's Promise to Abraham: In Genesis 17, God is establishing a covenant with Abraham. He promises to make Abraham the father of many nations and that kings will come from him (Genesis 17:6). A key part of the covenant is the promise of a son, Isaac, who will be born to Abraham and Sarah. This son will be the heir of the covenant.
Ishmael's Birth: Ishmael was Abraham's first son, born to Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. At this point, Abraham and Sarah were quite old, and Sarah was barren. They had taken matters into their own hands (following the custom of the time) to produce an heir through Hagar.
Abraham's Request: When God promises a son (Isaac) through Sarah, Abraham knows this is going to be a difficult thing to happen because they are so old. Abraham's response in Genesis 17:17 is a mix of disbelief and joy. Then, in verse 18, he pleads, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!"
What does "live before you" mean?
The phrase "live before you" or "live in your sight" is a common idiom in the Old Testament. It carries several layers of meaning:
1. Divine Favor and Blessing: It means that Abraham wanted Ishmael to be under God's blessing, protection, and care. He wanted Ishmael to be pleasing to God and to experience God's goodness in his life.
2. Preservation and Prosperity: It implies a prayer for Ishmael's long life, health, and overall well-being. Abraham hoped that Ishmael would thrive under God's watchful eye.
3. Recognition and Acceptance: It can also suggest a desire for God to acknowledge Ishmael and his descendants. Although Ishmael wasn't the chosen heir of the covenant, Abraham still wanted God to recognize and bless him.
In essence, Abraham was asking God to bless Ishmael even though Ishmael was not the son through whom the covenant promises would be fulfilled. Abraham loved his son and wanted the best for him, even if that "best" wasn't inheriting the specific covenant promise.
God's Response:
It's important to note God's response to Abraham's plea. In Genesis 17:20, God says, "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation."
God assures Abraham that while Ishmael won't inherit the covenant promise, he will still be blessed and become the father of a great nation. This shows God's grace and compassion extends beyond the specific line of the covenant.
In Summary:
Genesis 17:18 reveals Abraham's paternal love and concern for Ishmael. He wanted Ishmael to receive God's favor, protection, and blessing, even though Ishmael was not the son through whom God's covenant would be established. God graciously answered Abraham's prayer by promising to bless Ishmael and make him the father of a great nation.