Ish´may-uhl; Heb., “God has heard”
1 The son of Abraham by Hagar, the Egyptian handmaiden of Sarah (Gen 16; Gen 17; Gen 21:1-21). Though he is driven out as a result of Sarah’s jealousy, he and his mother are protected by an angel of the Lord (Gen 21:15-21). Although the promise of God’s covenant will pass through Sarah’s son, Isaac, God also promises to make Ishmael “a great nation” (Gen 21:18). In Gal 4:21-31, Paul uses the story of Ishmael and Isaac as an allegory for old and new covenants. 2 The son of Nethananiah, a man of royal blood and the assassin of Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed ruler of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem (2Kgs 25:25). 3 Other royal, courtly, and priestly figures (1Chr 8:38; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 23:1; Ezra 10:22).
