Abraham Pleads With God to Let Ishmael Live

The Midrash of Philo 18:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·March 24, 2026

Why did Abraham say to God, O may this my son Ishmael live before thee? (Genesis 17:18).-

Themes

Creation Patriarchs Abraham Humor Wit

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Book of JubileesStory of AbrahamThe Book of Jubilees, a text not found in the canonical Tanakh, but considered sacred in some Jewish traditions. It retells much of Genesis and Exodus, but with Legends of the JewsEphron Charged Abraham Four Hundred Silver ShekelsLegends of the Jews turns to Ephron Charged Abraham Four Hundred Silver Shekels. So, Sarah has passed, and Abraham needs a burial place. He approaches the Child Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelFlocks and Herds, a Great Crush of CattleWhen the Israelites finally left Egypt, they did not leave empty-handed. The Torah describes them departing with "flocks and herds, a great crush of cattle", a Midrash Eleh EzkerahHow Rabbi Ishmael Was ConceivedThey say he was so strikingly handsome, he resembled an angel. And his story, well, it begins a bit like a fairy tale. His parents, had longed for a child for m Targum OnkelosThree Angels Visit Abraham in OnkelosThe Hebrew Bible says God "appeared" to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18:1). Targum Onkelos says God "became revealed." It sounds like the same thing. I Bereshit RabbahFour Hundred Years of Slavery Foretold to Abraham"Know with certainty that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved to them and they will oppress them, four hu