Genesis 17:18

17:18 Abraham said to God, “O that ¹  Ishmael might live before you!” ² 

Genesis 17:20

17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. ³  I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. ⁴  He will become the father of twelve princes; ⁵  I will make him into a great nation.

Genesis 17:25-26

17:25 his son Ishmael was thirteen years old ⁶  when he was circumcised. 17:26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the very same day.

[17:18]  ¹ tn The wish is introduced with the Hebrew particle לוּ (lu), “O that.”

[17:18]  ² tn Or “live with your blessing.”

[17:20]  ³ 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.

[17:20]  ⁴ tn Heb “And I will multiply him exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.

[17:20]  ⁵ 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.

[17:25]  ⁵ tn Heb “the son of thirteen years.”