John Gill's Exposition on Genesis 21:13

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, etc.] A great nation, as is promised, (<011720>Genesis 17:20); and such the Ishmaelites and Saracens have been, and the Turks now are, the descendants of Ishmael. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, a people of thieves, or a thieving people; as were the Saracens, and who are thought to have that name from the Arabic word “sarac” f1220, to thieve; though they would have it derived from Sarah: but it is not agreeable to the promise of God to Abraham, that when for his comfort he is told that his son Ishmael and his descendants should become a great nation, that they should be described as a company of thieves and robbers; and especially when the reason of the promise is given, because he [is] thy seed; or thy son; here the word “seed” is again used of a single individual; (see <010425>Genesis 4:25 <480316>Galatians 3:16).

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