In the Old Testament, a son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid (Gen. 16: 11-16). The Lord promised both Abraham and Hagar that Ishmael would become the father of a great nation (Gen. 21: 8-21).

The covenant came through Isaac rather than Ishmael, Gen. 17: 19-21 (Gal. 4: 22—5: 1). God blessed Ishmael that he would be fruitful, Gen. 17: 20. Ishmael helped bury Abraham, Gen. 25: 8-9. Ishmael’s twelve sons were named, Gen. 25: 12-16. Ishmael died, Gen. 25: 17-18. Esau took Ishmael’s daughter, Mahalath, to be his wife, Gen. 28: 9.