Ishmael, << IHSH mee uhl, >> in the Old Testament Book of Genesis, was the elder son of Abraham. Ishmael’s mother was Hagar, an Egyptian serving-maid. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, had given Hagar to Abraham because Sarah despaired of ever becoming a mother. But later, Sarah bore Abraham a son, Isaac, and God said that he, instead of Ishmael, should be Abraham’s heir (see Isaac ).
When Ishmael and Isaac were still young children, Sarah pressured Abraham to send Ishmael and Hagar away. Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the desert and would have died of thirst had not God directed them to a well. Ishmael became a mighty warrior and was the father of 12 sons. The Arabs honor him, along with Abraham, as their ancestor.
