Footnote 3 – The Exodus of Abraham

While Ishmael is Abraham’s firstborn son by Hagar, Isaac is Abraham’s firstborn by Sarah, Abraham’s first wife. Isaac is also the one through whom, according to Genesis 21:12 and 26:2–5, God’s promises to Abraham would be fulfilled. Ishmael’s forced departure in Genesis 21:14 further emphasizes Isaac’s formal position as Abraham’s “firstborn” and explains, in part, why God later refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only son” (Genesis 22:1).