A Portrait of Yishmael/2

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Yishmael – Overview

Exegetical Approaches

Neutral to Positive

Yishmael is a neutral character.  He does not actively sin nor behave negatively in any way, but neither does he do any exemplary deeds.

Sources:Jubilees17:6-18About Jubilees, Ibn EzraBereshit 16:12Bereshit 21:9About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RadakBereshit 16:12Bereshit 17:20,25Bereshit 21:9,11,17,20,21Bereshit 25:9, 12About R. David Kimchi, AbarbanelBereshit 16Bereshit 17Bereshit 21About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel
Prophecy to Hagar
Avraham's plea: "לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ"
"מְצַחֵק"
Why did Sarah want Yishmael expelled?
Why did Hashem reject Yishmael?
Why is Avraham "upset about his son"?
Polemical Motivations?

Mildly Negative

Yishmael has several negative traits, but he is not completely wicked.

Prophecy to Hagar
Avraham's plea: "לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ"
"מְצַחֵק"
Why did Sarah want Yishmael expelled?
Why did Hashem reject Yishmael?
Why is Avraham "upset about his son"?
Polemical Motivations?

Extremely Negative

The character of Yishmael is evil, and he commits the most heinous of crimes, including the threesome of idolatry, murder and illicit relations.

Sources:Jubilees17:6-18About Jubilees, Ibn EzraBereshit 16:12Bereshit 21:9About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RadakBereshit 16:12Bereshit 17:20,25Bereshit 21:9,11,17,20,21Bereshit 25:9, 12About R. David Kimchi, AbarbanelBereshit 16Bereshit 17Bereshit 21About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel
Prophecy to Hagar
Avraham's plea: "לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶיךָ"
"מְצַחֵק"
Why did Sarah want Yishmael expelled?
Why did Hashem reject Yishmael?
Why is Avraham "upset about his son"?
Polemical Motivations?
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