King James Version

What Does Genesis 17:20 Mean?

Genesis 17:20 in the King James Version says “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exc...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly ; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.”

Genesis 17:20 · KJV

Context

18

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

19

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

20

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly ; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

21

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

22

And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

Read Genesis 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and w... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל֮1 of 18

“And as for Ishmael”

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ֒2 of 18

“I have heard thee”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הִנֵּ֣ה׀3 of 18
H2009

lo!

בֵּרַ֣כְתִּי4 of 18

“Behold I have blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֹת֗וֹ5 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְהִפְרֵיתִ֥י6 of 18

“him and will make him fruitful”

H6509

to bear fruit (literally or figuratively)

אֹת֛וֹ7 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י8 of 18

“and will multiply”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

אֹת֖וֹ9 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מְאֹ֑ד10 of 18

“him exceedingly”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

מְאֹ֑ד11 of 18

“him exceedingly”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

שְׁנֵים12 of 18
H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֤ר13 of 18

“twelve”

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

נְשִׂיאִם֙14 of 18

“princes”

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

יוֹלִ֔יד15 of 18

“shall he beget”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וּנְתַתִּ֖יו16 of 18

“and I will make him”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְג֥וֹי17 of 18

“nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

גָּדֽוֹל׃18 of 18

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 17:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 17:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 21:18Genesis 21:13Genesis 25:12-18Genesis 16:10-12

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