Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. Ishmael livedThe name "Ishmael" means "God hears" in Hebrew, reflecting the divine promise and attention given to Hagar and her son. Ishmael's life, as recorded in Genesis, is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, even to those outside the covenant line of Isaac. His life was marked by God's provision and the fulfillment of the promise that he would become a great nation ( Genesis 21:18). a total of 137 years
The longevity of Ishmael's life is significant, as it reflects the blessing of God upon him. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a long life was often seen as a sign of divine favor. Ishmael's 137 years indicate that God's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael's prosperity and longevity was fulfilled. This also underscores the historical reality of the patriarchal age, where extended lifespans were common. Then he breathed his last and died
This phrase is a common biblical expression for death, emphasizing the cessation of life. The Hebrew word for "breathed his last" (gava) conveys the idea of expiring or giving up the spirit. It is a reminder of the mortality that all humans face, regardless of their status or the promises they have received. Ishmael's death marks the end of an era and the transition of his descendants into their own narrative. and was gathered to his people
This phrase is rich with cultural and theological significance. In the Hebrew context, being "gathered to his people" suggests a reunion with ancestors in the afterlife, indicating a belief in life beyond death. It reflects the continuity of the family line and the hope of being united with loved ones. This expression also highlights the communal aspect of identity in the ancient world, where one's people and lineage were central to their existence. Persons / Places / Events 1. IshmaelThe first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. Ishmael is a significant figure as the forefather of many Arab nations. 2. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmael's father, and a central figure in the Abrahamic faiths. His relationship with Ishmael is complex, marked by both love and separation. 3. HagarIshmael's mother, an Egyptian maidservant to Sarah. Her account is one of struggle and divine encounters, highlighting God's care for the marginalized. 4. Death and BurialThe event of Ishmael's death and being "gathered to his people" signifies the end of his earthly journey and a return to his ancestors, a common biblical expression for death. 5. The Wilderness of ParanWhile not mentioned in this specific verse, it is significant as the place where Ishmael settled and became an archer, indicating his life and legacy beyond his death. Teaching Points The Sovereignty of GodIshmael's life and death remind us of God's sovereign plan. Despite human actions, God's purposes prevail, and He fulfills His promises. God's FaithfulnessGod's promise to Hagar about Ishmael's future was fulfilled. This encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness in our own lives. The Reality of DeathIshmael's death is a reminder of the mortality that all humans face. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, valuing our relationship with God and others. Legacy and InfluenceIshmael's descendants became a great nation, showing that our lives can have a lasting impact beyond our years. We should consider the legacy we are leaving. Reconciliation and PeaceIshmael's account, intertwined with Isaac's, encourages us to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships, reflecting God's heart for unity. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Ishmael challenge or affirm your understanding of God's faithfulness and promises? 2. In what ways can Ishmael's life and legacy inspire you to consider the impact of your own life and actions? 3. How does the concept of being "gathered to his people" influence your perspective on life and death? 4. What lessons can we learn from the relationship between Ishmael and Isaac about handling family conflicts and seeking reconciliation? 5. How can the account of Ishmael encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 16Provides the background of Ishmael's birth and the promise God made to Hagar about Ishmael's future. Genesis 21Describes the separation of Ishmael and Hagar from Abraham's household, highlighting God's provision and promise to make Ishmael a great nation. Genesis 17God's covenant with Abraham includes a promise to bless Ishmael, showing God's faithfulness to His word. Galatians 4Paul uses the account of Ishmael and Isaac to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living by the promise, providing a theological reflection on Ishmael's life. People Abraham, Abida, Abidah, Adbeel, Aram, Asshurim, Asshurites, Bethuel, Dedan, Dumah, Eldaah, Enoch, Ephah, Epher, Ephron, Esau, Hadad, Hadar, Hagar, Hanoch, Havilah, Heth, Hittites, Isaac, Ishbak, Ishmael, Jacob, Jetur, Jokshan, Kedar, Kedemah, Keturah, Laban, Letushim, Letushites, Leummim, Leummites, Mamre, Massa, Medan, Mibsam, Mishma, Naphish, Nebaioth, Nebajoth, Rebekah, Sarah, Shuah, Tema, Zimran, Zoar, ZoharPlaces Assyria, Beer-lahai-roi, Egypt, Machpelah, Mamre, Paddan-aram, Shur DesertTopics Breathed, Died, Dieth, Expired, Expireth, Gathered, Ghost, Hundred, Ishmael, Ish'mael, Ishmael's, Kindred, Peoples, Rest, Seven, Spirit, Thirty, Thirty-sevenDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 25:17 1655 hundreds and thousands Genesis 25:12-18 5078 Abraham, significance Library Pottage Versus Birthright
Esau despised his birthright'--GENESIS xxv. 34. Broad lessons unmistakable, but points strange and difficult to throw oneself back to so different a set of ideas. So I. Deal with the narrative. Not to tell it over again, but bring out the following points:-- (a) Birthright.--What? None of them any notion of sacred, spiritual aspect of it. To all, merely material advantages: headship of the clan. All the loftier aspects gone from Isaac, who thought he could give it for venison, from Esau, and from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jacob and Esau
(Second Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxv. 29-34. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Every Believer's Birthright.
On every hand a lack of something is being felt and expressed by God's people. Their Christian experience is not what they expected it would be. Instead of expected victory, it is oft-recurring, dreaded defeat; instead of soul satisfaction, it is soul hunger; instead of deep, abiding heart rest, it is disquiet and discontent; instead of advancing, it is losing ground. Is this all Christ meant when He said, "Come unto Me"? Is this life of constant disappointment the normal life of the Bible Christian? …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 25:17 NIVGenesis 25:17 NLTGenesis 25:17 ESVGenesis 25:17 NASBGenesis 25:17 KJV
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