Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son, but since Sarah remained childless, she gave Hagar to Abraham in order to obtain a child through her. After Hagar became pregnant, tension arose between her and Sarah, leading Sarah to treat Hagar harshly and Hagar to flee into the wilderness (Genesis 16).
An angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar and instructed her to return and submit to Sarah. The angel also delivered a blessing and prophecy over Ishmael, saying “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be numbered for multitude” (Genesis 16:7-12 ESV). God also promised to make Ishmael into a great nation (Genesis 21:13, 18).
After Isaac was born, conflict rose again between Sarah and Hagar over the issue of inheritance. At a feast when Isaac was weaned, Ishmael was seen mocking, and an indignant Sarah demanded that Abraham cast out Hagar and Ishmael. God told Abraham to listen to Sarah because Isaac was the son of the promise. Yet God also comforted Abraham concerning Ishmael, repeating his promise to make him into a great nation (Genesis 21:8-21).
The Bible traces the line of descent from Ishmael to the twelve princes he fathered, representing the twelve tribes that would constitute Ishmael’s nation. The names of Ishmael’s sons are: Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah (Genesis 25:12-16; 1 Chronicles 1:29-31).
We are also provided some details about the territories occupied by certain Ishmaelite tribes:
- Nebaioth: mentioned in connection with Kedar as sheepbreeders (Isaiah 60:7)
- Kedar: inhabited the deserts of Arabia and were known for their archery skills (Isaiah 21:16-17)
- Tema: located in northwestern Arabia (Job 6:19; Isaiah 21:14; Jeremiah 25:23)
- Jetur: fought against the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:19)
- Naphish: fought against the Reubenites (1 Chronicles 5:19)
- Kedemah: no details provided
The Bible affirms God’s promise that Ishmael would become the father of a great nation. The Ishmaelites appear to have been nomadic tribes occupying the Arabian peninsula. Some of the prophecies regarding the Ishmaelites seem to foreshadow the rise of Islam centuries later (Genesis 16:11-12).
Yet while Ishmael received blessings from God, the Messianic covenant passed through Isaac and his descendants. Isaac was the son of promise through whom God would establish his covenant with Israel (Genesis 17:19-21; Romans 9:7). Nevertheless, God cared for Ishmael and made him fruitful.
The animosity between Ishmael and Isaac seems to foreshadow the contentious relationship between Arabs and Jews that has persisted through the centuries to the present day. Yet Isaiah expresses hope that one day Israel and her former enemies will be reconciled: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance” (Isaiah 19:23-25 ESV).
While conflict has marked the relationship between Jews and Arabs over history, God ultimately desires their reconciliation through faith in Christ. Paul teaches that ethnic divisions dissolve through the peacemaking work of Christ, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and creating one new humanity in place of two (Ephesians 2:14-18). The descendants of Ishmael still stand to receive the blessing God promised to Abraham: “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 ESV). This blessing reaches its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Key Facts About Ishmael’s Descendants
- Ishmael had 12 sons who became princes of 12 tribes.
- God promised to make a great nation from Ishmael’s line.
- The Ishmaelites were nomadic tribes occupying Arabia.
- Some Ishmaelite tribes are named and associated with specific regions.
- God blessed Ishmael but established his covenant through Isaac.
- There was hostility between Ishmaelites and Israelites.
- God desires reconciliation between Jews and Arabs.
- God’s promise to bless all nations is fulfilled in Christ.
The 12 Tribes of Ishmael
Ishmael had twelve sons who became princes and progenitors of twelve tribes:
- Nebaioth
- Kedar
- Adbeel
- Mibsam
- Mishma
- Dumah
- Massa
- Hadad
- Tema
- Jetur
- Naphish
- Kedemah
These twelve tribes inhabited various parts of the Arabian peninsula and surrounding region. They were traditionally nomadic peoples, living in tents and raising livestock. God multiplied Ishmael’s descendants and fulfilled His promise to make him into a great nation.
Ishmael in Biblical History
Some key facts about Ishmael in biblical history:
- Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham; Ishmael was born when Abraham was 86 (Genesis 16:1-16)
- Sarah mistreated Hagar; Hagar fled but returned at God’s command (Genesis 16:4-16)
- Isaac born when Abraham was 100; Ishmael was about 14 (Genesis 21:5)
- Sarah demanded Abraham send away Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:8-21)
- God promised to make Ishmael a great nation (Genesis 21:13, 18)
- Hagar and Ishmael sent away; nearly died but God rescued them (Genesis 21:14-19)
- Isaac inherited the covenant promises as the son of promise (Genesis 17:15-21)
- Ishmael married an Egyptian woman (Genesis 21:21)
- Ishmael was present with Isaac at Abraham’s burial (Genesis 25:9)
- Ishmael had 12 sons who became tribal princes (Genesis 25:12-16)
Though Isaac was the heir of the covenant, God still blessed Ishmael and made him fruitful. Yet there was unresolved strife between the lineages of Isaac and Ishmael.
The Unresolved Conflict Between Isaac and Ishmael
The birth of Ishmael and Isaac created a conflict that carried on through history:
- Both were sons of Abraham, but only one could inherit the covenant blessing.
- Their mothers (Sarah and Hagar) were rivals who despised one another (Genesis 16:4-6).
- Sarah mistreated Hagar, and Hagar fled (Genesis 16:6).
- Hagar was proud after conceiving, despising Sarah (Genesis 16:4-5).
- Sarah demanded that Abraham banish Ishmael after Isaac’s birth (Genesis 21:8-10).
- Ishmael mocked Isaac at the feast of Isaac’s weaning (Genesis 21:8-9).
- Abraham was distressed at losing Ishmael but God told him to listen to Sarah and banish Ishmael, confirming that His covenant was with Isaac (Genesis 21:11-13).
This unresolved conflict between Ishmael and Isaac set the stage for ongoing hostility between Arabs and Jews throughout history.
The Ishmaelites and the Israelites
The descendants of Ishmael and Isaac had a turbulent relationship:
- Esau, Jacob’s brother, married an Ishmaelite wife in addition to Hittite wives (Genesis 28:8-9).
- Ishmaelite traders purchased Joseph from his brothers and sold him into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:25-28).
- The Ishmaelites inhabited the wilderness of Paran near Israel’s southern border (Genesis 21:21).
- Hostility persisted between the Ishmaelites and Israelites, as seen when the Ishmaelite tribes of Jetur, Naphish and Nodab fought against the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:19-22).
- The prophet Isaiah indicates there will one day be reconciliation and covenant partnership between Israel and her former enemies, including Egypt and Assyria as representatives of the Ishmaelites (Isaiah 19:18-25).
While ongoing hostility characterized their historic relationship, God ultimately desires reconciliation between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael.
Ishmael and Islam
The Arabs traditionally trace their descent from Ishmael. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, claimed the Arabs were Ishmael’s descendants. Some connections and parallels between biblical Ishmael and Islam include:
- Arabs claim Ishmael as their ancestor, as does Islam.
- Muslims believe the covenant promises were meant for Ishmael, not Isaac.
- Mecca is located in the region inhabited by the Ishmaelites.
- The prophecy about Ishmael said “He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him” (Genesis 16:12). Some see this fulfilled in the warfare and strife associated with early Islam.
- The Angel of the Lord told Hagar about Ishmael “he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen” (Genesis 16:12). Muhammad taught separation from unbelieving kinsmen.
- The angel described Ishmael as living “before all his brothers” (Genesis 16:12), which Muhammad interpreted to mean they would conquer all other nations.
Thus, the origins and conflicts of the Ishmaelites in Genesis foreshadowed the later emergence and spread of Islam in the Arab world. Yet the Bible affirms God’s covenant passed through Isaac, not Ishmael.
Ishmael and the Abrahamic Covenant
Though Ishmael received God’s blessing, the Abrahamic covenant passed through Isaac:
- God promised Abraham: “I will establish my covenant with Isaac” (Genesis 17:21).
- Isaac was the “son of promise” through whom came the covenant line (Galatians 4:28; Romans 9:7-9).
- Ishmael was blessed to become a great nation, but was not the heir of the covenant.
- God affirmed Sarah as Abraham’s true wife and thus Isaac as the heir (Isaiah 51:1-2).
- Muhammad claimed the covenant promises for Ishmael and Arabs based on corrupted oral traditions.
- The Bible affirms the covenant passed through Isaac and Israel, not Ishmael.
Though Ishmael received blessings from God, including fruitfulness and prosperity, the Messianic covenant promises were specifically established through the line of Isaac and Jacob.
Lessons from the Story of Ishmael
The account of Ishmael provides several important lessons:
- God is merciful – He heard Hagar and Ishmael in affliction and rescued them (Genesis 16:7-12; 21:14-21).
- God keeps His promises – Ishmael had 12 sons and became a great nation as promised (Genesis 25:12-18).
- Be careful manipulating outcomes – Sarah giving Hagar to produce an heir led to long-term family strife.
- Wait on God’s timing – Trying to make God’s promises happen leads to more harm than good.
- God cares for the rejected – He blessed Hagar and Ishmael though Abraham sent them away.
- Focus on reconciliation – Hostility between Muslims and Christians and Jews must give way to grace.
Rather than conflict, God desires that the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael be reconciled through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-18).
The Heritage of Ishmael Today
The descendants of Ishmael remain numerous today. Though scattered across many Middle Eastern nations, the regions of greatest Ishmaelite population include:
- Saudi Arabia
- Jordan
- Iraq
- Syria
- Lebanon
- United Arab Emirates
- Yemen
- Egypt
Arabs comprise most of the population in these nations. While genealogies cannot be proven, tradition affirms these peoples lived in the same regions associated with Ishmael’s offspring.
Of course, the greatest legacy of Ishmael’s line is the rise of Islam beginning in the 7th century AD. About 1.9 billion Muslims live throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. They trace their religious heritage and ethnolinguistic roots back to Ishmael through history, genealogy, and tradition.
Conclusion: Ishmael’s Significance for Today
In conclusion, the story of Ishmael still has great relevance today:
- It explains the origin and nature of Arab nations descended from him.
- It helps explain the conflict between Jews and Arabs over history.
- It provides background to understand the theological claims of Islam.
- It shows God’s desire to reconcile Jews, Christians, and Muslims through faith in Christ.
Understanding Ishmael and his descendants provides helpful insight into the modern Middle East and Muslim world. It also reminds us that only through Christ can the ancient divisions between these families be healed.