And Abraham said to God, ‘Oh that Ishmael might live before You!’ … ‘As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.’ When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham…. In the very same day Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son.” Clearly,
