And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
This verse from Genesis 16:12 in the King James Version of the Bible describes the fate of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. It foreshadows Ishmael’s future as a wild man who will constantly be in conflict with others. This prophecy has been interpreted to refer to the Arab people, who are believed to be descendants of Ishmael. The phrase “his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him” signifies a life of strife and opposition.
Furthermore, the verse states that Ishmael will dwell in the presence of all his brethren. This has been understood as a reference to the Arab people’s relationships with their neighbors and the broader world. Despite the challenges and conflicts that Ishmael and his descendants will face, they are destined to be surrounded by their brethren and be a presence in the world.
Image by Ai Junkie
