Genesis 17:18 Parallel Translations
NASB: And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before You!" (NASB ©1995)
GWT: Then Abraham said to God, "Why not let Ishmael be my heir?"(GOD'S WORD®)
KJV: And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
ASV: And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!
BBE: And Abraham said to God, If only Ishmael's life might be your care!
DBY: And Abraham said to God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!
ERV: And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee!
JPS: And Abraham said unto God: 'Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!'
WBS: And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
WEB: Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!"
YLT: And Abraham saith unto God, 'O that Ishmael may live before Thee;'
Genesis 17:18 Cross References
XREF:Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"

Genesis 17:19 But God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. (NASB ©1995)
Commentaries and Concordances
WES: 17:18 And Abraham said, O that Ishmael might live before thee! - This he speaks nor as desiring that Ishmael might be preferred before the son he should have by Sarah, but as dreading lest he should be forsaken of God, he puts up this petition on his behalf. The great thing we should desire of God, for our children, is, that they may live before him, that is, that they may be kept in covenant with him, and may have grace to walk before him in their uprightness. God's answer to this prayer, is an answer of peace. Abraham could not say he sought God's face in vain.
MHC: 17:15-22 Here is the promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, in whom the promise made to him should be fulfilled. The assurance of this promise was the change of Sarai's name into Sarah. Sarai signifies my princess, as if her honour were confined to one family only; Sarah signifies a princess. The more favours God confers upon us, the more low we should be in our own eyes. Abraham showed great joy; he laughed, it was a laughter of delight, not of distrust. Now it was that Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day; now he saw it and was glad, Joh 8:56. Abraham, dreading lest Ishmael should be abandoned and forsaken of God, put up a petition on his behalf. God gives us leave in prayer to be particular in making known our requests. Whatever is our care and fear, should be spread before God in prayer. It is the duty of parents to pray for their children, and the great thing we should desire is, that they may be kept in covenant with Him, and may have grace to walk before him in uprightness. Common blessings are secured to Ishmael. Outward good things are often given to those children of godly parents who are born after the flesh, for their parents' sake. Covenant blessings are reserved for Isaac, and appropriated to him.
CONC:Blessing Care Ishmael Ish'mael Ishmael's O Oh Sight
PREV:Abraham Blessing Care Ishmael Ish'mael Ishmael's Live Sight
NEXT:Abraham Blessing Care Ishmael Ish'mael Ishmael's Live Sight
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