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Ishmael

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Son of Abraham and Hagar, traditionally regarded as ancestor of Arab peoples and a figure of exile and divine providence.

Detailed Definition
Ishmael, born before Isaac, was blessed by God as a “wild donkey of a man” and father of twelve princes (Genesis 16–17, 21). In poetry, he symbolizes the rejected firstborn, divine provision for the outcast, and the complex legacy of Abrahamic lineage—often evoking themes of exile and survival.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Ishmael’s exile (Genesis 21) illustrates the pain of displacement and divine care; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Drama of Exile," Ishmael symbolizes the outcast under God’s promise; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Ishmael’s archery models survival in the wild; In John Keble’s "Lyra Innocentium," Ishmael represents the firstborn displaced by grace; In Christina Rossetti’s "Goblin Market," Ishmael’s desert prefigures the journey of the marginalized; In T.S. Eliot’s "Four Quartets," Ishmael’s well becomes a site of unexpected provision.
Additional Notes
Ishmael: Son of Abraham and Hagar; blessed by God but cast out (Genesis 16, 21). In poetry, Ishmael symbolizes the rejected firstborn, divine provision in exile (“God hears”), and the origin of Arab peoples. His archery and wilderness life offer vivid imagery—ideal for poems on displacement, sibling rivalry, or the God who cares for the outcast. Handle with sensitivity in interfaith contexts.
Also Known As
Ishmael son of Abraham Ishmael father of twelve princes
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