Question: What is the Arab perspective on Ishmael and his descendants?
Eventually they are to be made a “great Nation” by Almighty God!
The Bible verse that mentions Ishmael becoming a great Nation is Genesis 17:20:
· Genesis 17:20: "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great Nation".
In this verse, God responds to Abraham's request for his son Ishmael to live under God's blessing. God promises that Ishmael will: Be blessed, Be fruitful, Be multiplied exceedingly, Father 12 princes, and Become a great Nation.
However, God also promises that his covenant will pass to Isaac, Abraham's new son. This means that Ishmael's offspring will become a great Nation, but they will not become the covenant people of God.
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