“And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer.”
Genesis 21:20
BSBGo deeper on this verse (3)
- Hagar and Ishmael: Why God Heard the Boy in the Desert (Genesis 21)
Why Genesis 21 never names Ishmael
This verse gives the reason for the name Ishmael: the LORD has heard. In Genesis 21 the Hebrew never says his name. In the desert only Hagar's weeping is recorded, yet "God heard the voice of the boy" (Genesis 21:17). The son said nothing on the page, and God heard him anyway.
Read the whole studyConnection with Ishmael's archer descendants
Ishmael's sons Kedar and Tema became peoples the rest of the Old Testament knows. Isaiah speaks of "the warriors of Kedar" (Isaiah 21:17) as archers, like their father, who "became a great archer."
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How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Engage with Genesis 21:20 in a fresh way
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