Genesis 16:12

And Ishmael, your son, he will live like a wild donkey. He will go anywhere he wants to, and he will fight against everybody, and everybody will fight against him. He will not live close to his relatives.”

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

In Context

11The angel said, “You are going to have a baby boy, and you will name him Ishmael, because that name means God listens. You see, God listened to you. He heard about your trouble, and he will help you.

13Then Hagar said to herself, “I have seen the God that sees me, and he looks after me.” So she gave God a name, she called him the God that sees me.

Read all of Genesis 16

Cross References

Genesis 21:20God kept Ishmael safe as he grew up in the desert called Paran. He learned how to use a bow and arrows properly, so he became a good hunter. And later on, Hagar got a wife for him from Egypt country.

Genesis 27:40Your tribe will always fight and steal from other people to get their food. Your brother’s tribe will be boss over your tribe. But one day, your tribe will fight back, and then your brother’s tribe will not be boss over your tribe any more.”

Matthew Henry on Genesis 16:11-15

The Promise Concerning Ishmael. ( b. c. 1911.) 10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 16:12