Genesis 17:18

Context
17:18 Abraham said to God, “O that¹ Ishmael might live before you!”²

Genesis 17:20

Context
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.

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

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

[17:20] ³sn 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] ⁴tn Heb “And I will multiply him exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.

[17:20] ⁵tn 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.