Génesis 17:18

18 Así que Abraham le dijo a Dios:
—¡Que Ismael viva bajo tu bendición especial!

Génesis 17:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 17:18

And Abraham said unto God
Being told he should have a son by Sarah, that should be his heir, he is concerned for Ishmael what would become of him; and who, being grown up, had doubtless a large share in his affections, and it is highly probable he began to think he was the promised seed, since he had lived to such an age, and had no other son, and Sarah was past bearing children: but now perceiving it would be otherwise, he puts up a petition for Ishmael, whom he did not neglect upon the promise of another, and to show his love to him, and regard for his welfare:

O that Ishmael might live before thee;
he prays that his life might be preserved, and that it might be spent in the fear, worship, and service of God; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``O that Ishmael might live and worship before thee,''

and to the same sense Jarchi also; that he might enjoy the favour of God, his gracious presence and communion with him; that he might live a holy spiritual life here, acceptable and well pleasing to God, and possess eternal life hereafter: for we must take this prayer in as large a sense as we can suppose the heart of a father to be drawn forth in it for the good of his child; though it may greatly respect his sharing with the promised son in his blessings, and particularly regards the propagation of his offspring, or his living in his posterity at least; this was what the Lord took notice of, and answered him in.

Génesis 17:18 In-Context

16 Y yo la bendeciré, ¡y te daré un hijo varón por medio de ella! Sí, la bendeciré en abundancia, y llegará a ser la madre de muchas naciones. Entre sus descendientes, habrá reyes de naciones».

17 Entonces Abraham se postró hasta el suelo, pero se rió por dentro, incrédulo. «¿Cómo podría yo ser padre a la edad de cien años? —pensó—. ¿Y cómo podrá Sara tener un bebé a los noventa años?».

18 Así que Abraham le dijo a Dios:
—¡Que Ismael viva bajo tu bendición especial!

19 Pero Dios le respondió:
—No. Sara, tu esposa, te dará a luz un hijo. Le pondrás por nombre Isaac,
y yo confirmaré mi pacto con él y con sus descendientes como pacto eterno.

20 Con respecto a Ismael, también a él lo bendeciré, tal como me has pedido. Haré que sea muy fructífero y multiplicaré su descendencia. Llegará a ser padre de doce príncipes, y haré de él una gran nación;