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Ishmael

Region
Ancient Near Eastern narrative traditions

Son of Hagar and Abraham in Genesis; later Muslim interpretation identified him with the unnamed son in Qur'an 37's sacrifice scene.

George Richmond's Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness, 1829–33, The Met 2002.119a,b. Later artistic reception of Genesis, not a historical likeness
George Richmond's Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness, 1829–33, The Met 2002.119a,b. Later artistic reception of Genesis, not a historical likenessThe Metropolitan Museum of Art / Open Access · Public domainObject record

Metadata

These are descriptive fields, not conclusions.

Edition
3

Text

Ishmael is the son of Hagar and Abraham in Genesis 16:15. Genesis 21 narrates Hagar and her son's departure from Abraham's household and their survival in the wilderness. That story does not make Ishmael the son named in Genesis 22, which explicitly names Isaac. [1][2]

Qur'an 37:99–113 does not name the son within its sacrifice scene. Many Muslim interpreters preferred Ishmael, though al-Tabari preserved both views and favored Isaac, whereas Ibn Kathir preferred Ishmael. This is a history of interpretation, not a difference in the Qur'anic scene's wording. [3][4][5] George Richmond's 1829–1833 drawing of Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness is later artistic reception. [6]

References and notes

  1. Son's name and parentage in Genesis. Genesis 16:15, Hagar bears Ishmael; read 14 October 2026. Return to the text ↑
  2. Hagar and son's departure and survival in the wilderness. Genesis 21:9–21, Hagar and son leave and survive; relevant passage consulted. Return to the text ↑
  3. The Qur'anic scene leaves the son unnamed; later identification varies. Qur'an 37:99–113; sacrifice scene read 14 October 2026. Return to the text ↑
  4. Al-Tabari records both Isaac and Ishmael views, then prefers Isaac. Al-Tabari on Qur'an 37:107: both identifications and closing preference for Isaac; relevant sections read. Return to the text ↑
  5. Ibn Kathir identifies the boy as Ishmael in his commentary. Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 37:101: opening identification of the boy as Ishmael; relevant passage read. Return to the text ↑
  6. Later British drawing of Hagar and Ishmael, not a historical portrait. The Met 2002.119a,b, George Richmond 1829–33, Public Domain/Open Access. Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 3 · 14 October 2026 · aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

  2. Edition 2 · 14 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

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Cite this record

IL Archive, «Ishmael», Edition 3, https://ilarchive.com/en/people/ishmael