Judaism has generally viewed Ishmael as the son of Abraham. Jews and Christians (the House of Israel) maintain that Isaac, Abraham’s son by Sarah the free woman and the father of all Israel, rather than Ishmael was the true heir. This is supported in Genesis chapter 21 “in Isaac shall the seed be called”. The New Testament contains a reference to Ishmael where Paul defines the difference in Isaac and Ishmael in Galatians chapter 4. Biblically, Ishmael is used to symbolize the bondwoman – not free – Isaac symbolizes those that have freedom to choose which is found in Christianity. Islamic tradition, however, has a very positive view of Ishmael, giving him a larger and more significant role. The Qur’an views him as a prophet (although the KJV in Genesis 21 indicates that Isaac was called not Ishmael). According to the interpretation of certain early Islamic theologians whose view prevailed later, Ishmael was the actual son that Abraham was called on to sacrifice, as opposed to Isaac, however as it is written in the Bible God tested Abraham through the sacrifice of Isaac his only son and heir. The story reflects the same story as given in Genesis where there is an evil older brother and the chosen younger brother. This is evidenced again in Esau and Jacob, where Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil soup.

Both Jewish and Islamic traditions consider Ishmael as the ancestor of Arab people.

Gender: Masculine

Usage: Biblical, English

Pronounced: ISH-may-el [key]

From the Hebrew name יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yishma’el) meaning “God will hear”. In the Old Testament this is the name of a son of Abraham. He is the traditional ancestor of the Arabs.

This means,the narrator is referring to the fact that he can see the future!Ishmael was a seer.