Genesis 17:20

17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. 1  I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. 2  He will become the father of twelve princes; 3  I will make him into a great nation.

1 sn The Hebrew verb translated “I have heard you” forms a wordplay with the name Ishmael, which means “God hears.” See the note on the name “Ishmael” in 16:11.

2 tn Heb “And I will multiply him exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.

3 tn For a discussion of the Hebrew word translated “princes,” see E. A. Speiser, “Background and Function of the Biblical Nasi’,” CBQ 25 (1963): 111-17.