Devine Scripture

Genesis 17:18

What does Genesis 17:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 17:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 17:18 means

Following his internal thought of disbelief, Abraham expressed his human preference and affection by pleading with God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!" This reveals Abraham's deep love for his thirteen-year-old son, Ishmael, and his understandable desire for God's blessings to continue upon him. He essentially wished that Ishmael could be the promised heir, the one through whom God's covenant would be established. This plea underscores the tension between human desires and God's sovereign, specific plan, even as Abraham still revered God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Abraham said to God, If only Ishmael's life might be your care!

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abraham saith unto God, `O that Ishmael may live before Thee;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to God: O that Ismael may live before thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham said toGod, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!

Context

This plea from Abraham directly follows his laughter and disbelief concerning Sarah's ability to bear a child at her age (v. 17). It shows his immediate, fatherly concern for Ishmael, presenting a human alternative to God's miraculous plan. This interjection by Abraham provides a crucial moment of tension and sets up God's firm and clear response in the next verse, explicitly distinguishing the covenant line from Ishmael while still affirming a blessing upon him. It is a moment of humble submission and faith, despite his human preference.

v.17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

v.18This passage

v.19And God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 2:39

    For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

  • Psalms 4:6

    Many there are that say, Who will show us any good? Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

  • Isaiah 59:2

    but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.

  • Genesis 4:12

    when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.

  • Psalms 41:12

    And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, And settest me before thy face for ever.

  • Genesis 4:14

    Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the ground; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.

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