Genesis 17:20

17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. ¹  I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. ²  He will become the father of twelve princes; ³  I will make him into a great nation.

Genesis 37:18

37:18 Now Joseph’s brothers ⁴  saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Genesis 46:7

46:7 He brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, ⁵  his daughters and granddaughters – all his descendants.

¹ sn The Hebrew verb translated “I have heard you” forms a wordplay with the name Ishmael, which means “God hears.” See the note on the name “Ishmael” in 16:11.

² tn Heb “And I will multiply him exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.

³ tn For a discussion of the Hebrew word translated “princes,” see E. A. Speiser, “Background and Function of the Biblical Nasi’,” CBQ 25 (1963): 111-17.

⁴ tn Heb “and they”; the referent (Joseph’s brothers) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn The Hebrew text adds “with him” here. This is omitted in the translation because it is redundant in English style (note the same phrase earlier in the verse).