Discovery BoxGenesis 17:18 
Context17:18 Abraham said to God, “O that 1 Ishmael might live before you!” 2
Genesis 17:20
Context17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. 3 I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. 4 He will become the father of twelve princes; 5 I will make him into a great nation.
1 tn The wish is introduced with the Hebrew particle לוּ (lu), “O that.”
2 tn Or “live with your blessing.”
3 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.
4 tn Heb “And I will multiply him exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.
5 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.
