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among Bible scholars. The argument that doesn’t deny Ishmael’s rightful status.
only Isaac was intended to carry on the Interestingly, Hagar is also promised a
lineage of Abraham lacks biblical support. bountiful progeny from Ishmael, too
Numerous verses in the Bible suggest that numerous to count (Genesis 16: 10).
God’s blessings extend to all of God’s Covenant with Abraham and
Abraham’s descendants, including the Identity of His Beloved Son
Ishmael. For example, when Abraham In the Bible, God assures Abraham that
and Lot separate, God promises Abraham his son Isaac will be the recipient of an
abundant land and descendants, implying everlasting covenant (Genesis 19: 17).
a broad lineage (Genesis 13:15-16). Additionally, during a time of famine,
Additionally, God establishes a covenant God appears to Isaac and instructs him
with Abraham and promises a fruitful not to go down to Egypt. Instead, Isaac
future for his descendants, not limited to is to dwell in the land designated by
Isaac but encompassing all his offspring God, and he will bless him with a great
(Genesis 17: 2-7). progeny (Genesis 26: 2-3).
3. The idea that Isaac is the sole ‘seed’ Victor P. Hamilton notes that
of Abraham is disputed when examined Isaac’s name was chosen by God
through biblical verses. Many passages before birth, making him the ‘special,
speak of God's blessings for Abraham promised son’ (Hamilton, 1995, p. 73).
and his descendants, including Ishmael However, the Bible actually shows that
and Isaac. For example, after Abraham both Ishmael and Isaac received their
and Lot part ways, God promises names from God before birth,
Abraham that his descendants will contradicting Hamilton’s conclusion.
inherit the land he sees, with a bountiful Genesis 16: 11 reveals that Ishmael’s
progeny that cannot be numbered name was chosen by God before birth, just
(Genesis 13: 15-16). The covenant like Isaac’s in Genesis 17: 19. Moreover,
between God and Abraham is also we see in numerous verses of the Bible that
mentioned, along with the promise of a God promises to make a great nation of
fruitful and prosperous generation Ishmael, but these verses are deliberately
from Abraham's children, extending to ignored out of bias and prejudice for
his seeds after him (Genesis 17:2-7). Ishmael and his descendants. For instance,
Before the birth of Isaac and Hagar, Ishmael's mother, is promised of a
Ishmael, God made promises to progeny too numerous to count (Genesis
Abraham about numerous progeny. 16: 10-11).
It’s unfair to suggest that these Similarly, when Abraham is
blessings only apply to Isaac. While commanded to leave his wife Hagar and
Isaac is promised great blessings, this son Ishmael in a barren desert, God
