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20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you.[a] I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants.[b] He will become the father of twelve princes;[c] I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.” 22 When he finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 17:20 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.
  2. Genesis 17:20 tn Heb “And I will multiply him exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.
  3. Genesis 17:20 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.
  4. Genesis 17:22 tn Heb “And when he finished speaking with him, God went up from Abraham.” The sequence of pronouns and proper names has been modified in the translation for stylistic reasons.sn God went up from him. The text draws attention to God’s dramatic exit and in so doing brings full closure to the scene.

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers.(A) He will be the father of twelve rulers,(B) and I will make him into a great nation.(C) 21 But my covenant(D) I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you(E) by this time next year.”(F) 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.(G)

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