Genesis 17:18

And Abraham said unto God: 'Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!'

JPS TaNaKH 1917

In The King James Version

And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

In Context

17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: 'Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?'

19And God said: 'Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

Read all of Genesis 17

Cross References

Genesis 4:14Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the land; and from Thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.'

Psalms 4:6(4-7) Many there are that say: 'Oh that we could see some good!' LORD, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.

Isaiah 59:2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 17:16-23

15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? 18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 17:18