Hagar and Ishmael in light of Abraham and Isaac: Reading Gen. 21:8–21 and Gen. 22:1–19 as a Dialogue

Abstract

Hagar and Ishmael in the biblical narrative are often ignored by biblical interpreters because they are usually understood as minor characters within the story. However, reading Gen. 21:8–21 and Gen. 22:1–19 in light of each other shows that Hagar and Ishmael are heroic characters, not secondary figures. As the book of Genesis carefully selects the words to draw out the parallels between Gen. 21:8–21 and Gen. 22:1–9, narrative linkage between these accounts encourages readers to understand the two accounts together rather than as separate unrelated accounts. The narrative linkage between Gen. 21:8–21 and Gen. 22:1–19 clearly indicates that Hagar and Abraham are narratively bound together as parents who have to see the life-threatening trial of their sons. The book of Genesis portrays Hagar and Ishmael’s suffering in the wilderness as equally significant as Abraham and Isaac’s suffering on the mount of Moriah.

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