"And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Ishmael Meaning in the Bible
Ishmael
boy
Ishmael means "God hears; God will hear", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Ishmael appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 16:11 is the passage most often tied to it. Ishmael declares that God hears the forgotten, the outcast, the abandoned — no cry escapes His attention.
Is Ishmael in the Bible?
Yes — Ishmael appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 16:11.
Pronunciation:/ISH-may-el/
OriginHebrew
MeaningGod hears; God will hear
What does Ishmael mean?
Ishmael is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "God hears; God will hear". Ishmael was Abraham's firstborn son through Hagar. When Hagar fled into the wilderness, God found her and promised that her son would become a great nation. He named the child 'God hears' because He heard her affliction.
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What does Ishmael mean in the Bible?
Ishmael means "God hears; God will hear" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Ishmael appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Ishmael is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 16:11. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven."
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Which books of the Bible mention Ishmael?
Ishmael is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Ishmael?
Ishmael declares that God hears the forgotten, the outcast, the abandoned — no cry escapes His attention.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Ishmael:
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What names are related to Ishmael?
Names like Ishmael
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "God hears; God will hear" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Ishmael
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Ishmael
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Ishmael name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Ishmael appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 16:11.
Ishmael means "God hears; God will hear." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 16:11, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Ishmael comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "God hears; God will hear." It appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 16:11.
Common questions about the name Ishmael
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Ishmael?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Ishmael?
You can read every verse where Ishmael appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.