New International VersionAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
New Living TranslationAs for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
English Standard VersionAs for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.
Berean Standard BibleAs 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.
King James BibleAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
New King James VersionAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
New American Standard BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.
NASB 1995“As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
NASB 1977“And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
Legacy Standard BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
Amplified BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard and listened to you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will greatly multiply him [through his descendants]. He will be the father of twelve princes (chieftains, sheiks), and I will make him a great nation.
Christian Standard BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father twelve tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father 12 tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.
American Standard VersionAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Contemporary English VersionHowever, I have heard what you asked me to do for Ishmael, and so I will also bless him with many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make his family a great nation.
English Revised VersionAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationI have heard your request about Ishmael. Yes, I will bless him, make him fertile, and increase the number of his descendants. He will be the father of 12 princes, and I will make him a great nation.
Good News TranslationI have heard your request about Ishmael, so I will bless him and give him many children and many descendants. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make a great nation of his descendants.
International Standard VersionAnd as for Ishmael, I've heard you. I'll bless him, and he'll have many descendants. I will multiply him greatly, he'll father twelve tribal leaders, and I'll cause his descendants to become a great nation.
NET BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes; I will make him into a great nation.
New Heart English BibleAs for Ishmael, I have heard you. Look, 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.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs 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.
World English BibleAs 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes does he beget, and I have made him become a great nation;
Young's Literal Translation As to Ishmael, I have heard thee; lo, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes doth he beget, and I have made him become a great nation;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I blessed him and made him fruitful, and I multiplied him with might exceedingly: twelve chiefs shall he beget, and I will give him into a great nation. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd as for Ismael I have also heard thee. Behold, I will bless him, and increase, and multiply him exceedingly: he shall beget twelve chiefs, and I will make him a great nation.
Catholic Public Domain VersionLikewise, concerning Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I will bless and enlarge him, and I will multiply him greatly. He will produce twelve leaders, and I will make him into a great nation.
New American BibleNow as for Ishmael, I will heed you: I hereby bless him. I will make him fertile and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation.
New Revised Standard VersionAs for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him, and will multiply him, and will make him exceedingly great; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd I shall establish my covenant with Isaaq, for Sara will give birth for you at this time next year.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd concerning Ismael, behold, I have heard thee, and, behold, I have blessed him, and will increase him and multiply him exceedingly; twelve nations shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Covenant of Circumcision… 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 surelyblesshim;I will make him fruitfuland multiplyhimgreatly.He will become the fatherof twelverulers,and I will make himinto a greatnation.21But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”…
Cross References Genesis 16:10-12Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” / 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.”
Genesis 21:13But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”
Genesis 25:12-18This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. / These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ...
Genesis 28:3-4May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. / And may He give the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants, so that you may possess the land where you dwell as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.”
Genesis 35:11And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
Genesis 36:1-3This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom). / Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, / and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
Genesis 46:3“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
Genesis 48:4and told me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you; I will make you a multitude of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’
Exodus 1:7but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.
Deuteronomy 1:10-11The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised.
1 Chronicles 1:28-31The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. / These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, ...
Psalm 105:8-11He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...
Isaiah 60:6-7Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. / All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house.
Romans 9:7-9Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
Romans 4:11-13And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. / For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Treasury of Scripture And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. I have blessed. Genesis 16:10-12 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude… twelve. Genesis 25:12-18 Now theseare the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham: … and I. Genesis 21:13,18 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because heis thy seed… Jump to Previous BegetBlessBlessedBlessingEarExceedinglyFertileFruitfulGreatGreatlyHeardIncreaseIshmaelIsh'maelMultiplyNationNumbersPrayerPrincesRulersSurelyTwelveJump to Next BegetBlessBlessedBlessingEarExceedinglyFertileFruitfulGreatGreatlyHeardIncreaseIshmaelIsh'maelMultiplyNationNumbersPrayerPrincesRulersSurelyTwelveGenesis 17 1.God renews the covenant with Abram,5.and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.9.Circumcision is instituted.15.Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.17.Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.23.Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.As for Ishmael, I have heard youThis phrase indicates God's response to Abraham's concern for his son Ishmael. In the broader context of Genesis 17, God is establishing His covenant with Abraham, primarily through Isaac, yet He acknowledges Abraham's plea for Ishmael. This demonstrates God's attentiveness to the prayers and desires of His people, even when they concern those outside the primary covenant line. It reflects God's compassion and willingness to bless beyond the immediate covenant promises. and I will surely bless him;
God's promise to bless Ishmael shows His grace and generosity. Although Ishmael is not the child of promise through whom the covenant will be fulfilled, God still extends His blessing. This blessing includes material prosperity and numerous descendants, which is a common theme in God's promises to the patriarchs. It highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to bless whom He chooses, regardless of human expectations or plans. I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly.
This promise echoes the language used in God's covenant with Abraham, indicating a significant increase in Ishmael's descendants. The phrase "fruitful and multiply" is reminiscent of the creation mandate inGenesis 1:28, suggesting a divine intention for growth and expansion. Historically, Ishmael is considered the ancestor of many Arab tribes, fulfilling this promise of multiplication and fruitfulness. He will become the father of twelve rulers,
This prophecy is fulfilled inGenesis 25:13-16, where the names of Ishmael's twelve sons are listed, each becoming a tribal leader. The number twelve is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or divine order, as seen in the twelve tribes of Israel. This parallel structure between Ishmael's and Israel's descendants underscores God's orderly plan and the importance of Ishmael's lineage in the broader biblical narrative. and I will make him into a great nation.
The promise of a "great nation" for Ishmael parallels God's earlier promise to Abraham regarding Isaac. While Ishmael's descendants do not inherit the covenant promises given to Isaac, they still become a significant and influential people group. This reflects God's ability to work through various nations and peoples to accomplish His purposes. Historically, the Arab nations trace their lineage to Ishmael, and their prominence in the ancient and modern world attests to the fulfillment of this promise. Persons / Places / Events 1. IshmaelThe first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. Ishmael is a significant figure as the recipient of God's promise of blessing and multiplication. 2. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, to whom God made several covenants, including the promise of a son through Sarah and blessings for Ishmael. 3. HagarAn Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, who bore Ishmael to Abraham. Her account is intertwined with God's promises to Abraham and Ishmael. 4. Twelve RulersRefers to the twelve sons of Ishmael, who became leaders of their own tribes, fulfilling God's promise of making Ishmael a great nation. 5. Great NationGod's promise to make Ishmael's descendants into a significant and numerous people, highlighting God's faithfulness to His word. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesDespite Ishmael not being the child of the covenant, God still honors His promise to bless him, demonstrating His faithfulness. God's Sovereignty in BlessingGod's decision to bless Ishmael shows that His plans and purposes extend beyond human expectations and limitations. The Importance of IntercessionAbraham's concern for Ishmael and God's response highlight the power and importance of intercessory prayer. Legacy and InfluenceIshmael's descendants becoming a great nation reminds us of the lasting impact of our lives and the importance of leaving a godly legacy. Understanding God's PlanWhile Ishmael was not the child through whom the covenant would be fulfilled, God's plan for him was still significant, teaching us to trust in God's broader purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 17:20?
2.How does Genesis 17:20 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Ishmael?
3.What does God's blessing of Ishmael teach about His sovereignty over all nations?
4.How can believers today trust God's promises as seen in Genesis 17:20?
5.In what ways does Genesis 17:20 connect to God's covenant with Abraham?
6.How should Genesis 17:20 influence our understanding of God's plan for all people?
7.How does Genesis 17:20 align with God's covenant promises to Abraham's descendants?
8.Why did God choose to bless Ishmael in Genesis 17:20 despite the covenant with Isaac?
9.What is the significance of Ishmael's twelve princes in Genesis 17:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17?
11.What does the Bible say about Arabs?
12.What is Mecca's significance in Islam?
13.What became of Ishmael?
14.What does the Bible say about Arabs?What Does Genesis 17:20 Mean As for IshmaelGenesis 17 unfolds in the context of God’s covenant with Abraham, but the Lord pauses to address Abraham’s concern for his firstborn by Hagar. Ishmael is not forgotten. InGenesis 16:11–12 the Angel of the LORD had already spoken of Ishmael’s future; here God expressly names him again, underscoring personal attention and value. The phrase reminds us that God’s purposes embrace individuals even when they stand outside the main covenant line (compareGenesis 21:13).
I have heard youAbraham had just pleaded, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” (Genesis 17:18). God’s response models His readiness to listen to intercession (see alsoGenesis 18:23–33;Exodus 32:11–14). The reassurance “I have heard you” echoesGenesis 21:17, where God hears Ishmael’s own cry. Scripture repeatedly shows the Lord bending His ear to the prayers of the righteous (Psalm 34:15;James 5:16).
I will surely bless himBlessing here is tangible, not abstract. As inGenesis 12:2, blessing involves real-world favor—provision, protection, posterity. Though Ishmael does not inherit the covenant promises tied to Isaac (Genesis 17:19, 21), he is still the recipient of genuine divine goodwill. This demonstrates the breadth of God’s mercy, parallelingMatthew 5:45 where God “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatlyFruitfulness is a recurring covenant theme (Genesis 1:28; 9:1; 26:24). God pledges exponential growth for Ishmael’s line, and history confirms vast tribes descending from him. The language mirrors the promise to Jacob inGenesis 35:11, highlighting God’s consistent pattern: multiplication is a sign of divine favor. For Ishmael, this means large families, expanding territories, and enduring cultural influence.
He will become the father of twelve rulersGenesis 25:13–15 lists Ishmael’s twelve sons—Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah—each heading a clan. The precision of “twelve” showcases God’s sovereignty in shaping nations (compare the twelve tribes from Jacob inGenesis 35:22–26). These princes governed nomadic confederations stretching from Havilah to Shur (Genesis 25:18), fulfilling the prophetic detail exactly.
and I will make him into a great nationGod reiterates and expands onGenesis 21:13, 18. “Great” speaks to both size and endurance. Historically, Ishmael’s descendants populated large portions of Arabia, influencing trade routes, language, and culture long before the rise of later empires (see alsoIsaiah 60:7, which mentions Kedar). God’s word proved accurate: Ishmael’s line became formidable, distinct, and recognizable on the world stage.
summaryGenesis 17:20 affirms that the Lord, while establishing a covenant line through Isaac, extends real, measurable blessing to Ishmael. He hears Abraham’s prayer, promises tangible favor, guarantees prolific multiplication, outlines specific leadership through twelve sons, and frames Ishmael’s heritage as a lasting, influential nation. The verse underscores God’s faithfulness to His word, His attentiveness to intercession, and the reach of His benevolence beyond the primary covenant family. Verse 20 - And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee (meaning, also, "and will grant thy prayer; an allusion to the significance of the name Ishmael, "God hears"): Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he begot ( videGenesis 25:12-16), and I will make him a great nation.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew As for Ishmael,וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵ֘אל(ū·lə·yiš·mā·‘êl)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3458:Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several IsraelitesI have heard you,שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ֒(šə·ma‘·tî·ḵā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligently[and] I will surelyהִנֵּ֣ה ׀(hin·nêh)Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!blessבֵּרַ֣כְתִּי(bê·raḵ·tî)Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to cursehim;אֹת֗וֹ(’ō·ṯōw)Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative caseI will make him fruitfulוְהִפְרֵיתִ֥י(wə·hip̄·rê·ṯî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6509:To bear fruit, be fruitfuland multiply him greatly.וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י(wə·hir·bê·ṯî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greatHe will become the fatherיוֹלִ֔יד(yō·w·lîḏ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageof twelveשְׁנֵים־(šə·nêm-)Number - md
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)rulers,נְשִׂיאִם֙(nə·śî·’im)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5387:An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mistand I will makeוּנְתַתִּ֖יו(ū·nə·ṯat·tîw)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, sethim into a greatגָּדֽוֹל׃(gā·ḏō·wl)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentnation.לְג֥וֹי(lə·ḡō·w)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471:A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts
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OT Law: Genesis 17:20 As for Ishmael I have heard you (Gen. Ge Gn) |
