Ishmael

Ishmael is a significant figure in Abrahamic religions, prominently featured in the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament, and the Quran. The name Ishmael is derived from the Hebrew name ישמעאל (Yishma'el), which means "God has heard" or "God will hear." In Arabic, the name is إسمايل (Ismā'īl), and in Greek, it is Ἰσμαήλ (Ismaēl). Ishmael is traditionally regarded as the first son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian handmaid. According to the biblical narrative, Abraham's wife Sarah, initially barren, gave Hagar to Abraham to bear a child on her behalf. After the birth of Ishmael, tensions arose between Sarah and Hagar, leading to Hagar and Ishmael's expulsion. Ishmael is considered the ancestral father of the Ishmaelites and is traditionally believed to be the progenitor of the Arab people. In Islamic tradition, Ishmael is revered as a prophet and is closely associated with the Kaaba in Mecca, which he is said to have helped build with his father Abraham.