Genesis 25:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 25:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years. And he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years. And he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.
Genesis 25:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years. And he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years, etc.] one hundred and thirty seven years old. So that he lived forty eight years after the death of Abraham, (<012508>Genesis 25:8); and, though he did not live to be so old as he, yet it was a considerable age he attained unto, (see Gill on “<012507>Genesis 25:7”): and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people; some of the same expressions being used of him as of his father, (<012508>Genesis 25:8), have led some to conclude that he was a penitent and died a good man, and was gathered to the same people; but these phrases are used both of good and bad men.”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification