Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ הִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתִּי אֹתוֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֹתוֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֹתוֹ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר נְשִׂיאִם יוֹלִיד וּנְתַתִּיו לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל׃
English Translation
And as for Yishma᾽el 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.
Transliteration
U'leYishmael shema'ticha hinei berachti oto vehifreiti oto vehirbeiti oto bim'od m'od shneim-asar nesi'im yolid unetativ legoy gadol.
Hebrew Leining Text
וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל֮ שְׁמַעְתִּ֒יךָ֒ הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ בֵּרַ֣כְתִּי אֹת֗וֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִ֥י אֹת֛וֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י אֹת֖וֹ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֤ר נְשִׂיאִם֙ יוֹלִ֔יד וּנְתַתִּ֖יו לְג֥וֹי גָּדֽוֹל׃
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Berakhot 56b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the blessings given to Ishmael and the implications for his descendants.
📖 Sanhedrin 89b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the fulfillment of divine promises to Ishmael and his lineage.
Divine Blessing for Yishmael
The verse (Bereishit 17:20) describes Hashem's response to Avraham's plea regarding his son Yishmael. While the primary covenant is established with Yitzchak, Hashem assures Avraham that Yishmael will also be blessed. Rashi explains that this blessing was granted "בזכות אברהם"—in the merit of Avraham—demonstrating that even when Yishmael is not the chosen heir, Avraham's righteousness secures blessings for his descendants.
The Nature of the Blessing
The Torah uses the phrase "בֵּרַכְתִּי אֹתוֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֹתוֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֹתוֹ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד" ("I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly"). The Ramban notes the repetition of "מְאֹד מְאֹד", emphasizing an extraordinary multiplication, suggesting Yishmael's descendants will become numerous and powerful in the physical realm.
Twelve Princes and a Great Nation
The verse specifies that Yishmael will father "שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר נְשִׂיאִם" (twelve princes), paralleling the twelve tribes of Yisrael. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 46:11) contrasts this with Yaakov's descendants, noting that while Yishmael's offspring are called "נְשִׂיאִם" (princes), Yaakov's are called "שְׁבָטִים" (tribes), indicating a difference in spiritual stature. The Sforno adds that Yishmael's greatness is material, not covenantal.
Historical Fulfillment
The promise of twelve princes is later fulfilled in Bereishit 25:12-16, listing Yishmael's twelve sons. The Ibn Ezra observes that these nations historically held significant power, aligning with the blessing of "גּוֹי גָּדוֹל" (a great nation). However, as the Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:5-6) clarifies, only Yitzchak's lineage inherits the spiritual mission of Avraham.