Genesis 17:20
What does Genesis 17:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 17:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 17:20 means
Acknowledging Abraham's love for Ishmael, God graciously affirmed, "As for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly." While Ishmael was not the covenant heir, God promised significant blessings for him, foretelling that he would become the progenitor of "twelve princes" and a "great nation." This demonstrates God's compassion and sovereign ability to bless beyond the direct covenant line, fulfilling various divine purposes even as the central covenant promise remained distinct and focused on Isaac.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As for Ishmael, I have given ear to your prayer: truly I have given him my blessing and I will make him fertile and give him great increase; he will be the father of twelve chiefs, and I will make him a great nation.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As to Ishmael, I have heard thee; lo, I have blessed him, and made him fruitful, and multiplied him, very exceedingly; twelve princes doth he beget, and I have made him become a great nation;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as for Ismael I have also heard thee. Behold, I will bless him, and increase, and multiply him exceedingly: he shall beget twelve chiefs, and I will make him a great nation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And for Ishmael I have heard thee: behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will very greatly multiply him; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Context
Having firmly established Isaac as the covenant heir (v. 19), this verse provides God's gracious response to Abraham's concern for Ishmael. It assures Abraham that Ishmael will indeed be blessed and become a great nation, providing comfort while carefully distinguishing his future from the primary covenant path. This serves to clarify Ishmael's significant but separate destiny, setting the foundation for the final reaffirmation of Isaac's unique role in the covenant in the very next verse.
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.
v.20This passage
v.21But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 16:10
And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
- Genesis 21:13
And also of the son of the handmaid will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
- Genesis 25:12
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
- Genesis 21:18
Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand; for I will make him a great nation.
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