Definition: And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 17:20. It's a really important passage about God’s plan for the beginning of humanity! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says God is going to create a special person named Ishmael. Here's a breakdown of each part: “And as for Ishmael…” : This tells us we’re talking about a specific individual. “…I have heard thee:” – This means God has listened to Ishmael’s voice, or his request. It’s like God acknowledging him and understanding what he wants. “Behold, I have blessed him:” – This is the key part! God has chosen to bless (favor) Ishmael. He's given him a special gift or opportunity. “…and will make him fruitful:” - God intends for Ishmael to grow and flourish. He’ll develop into something strong and capable. “And will multiply him exceedingly:” – This is the big part! God promises to make Ishmael a huge family. He’s going to have many descendants (children). “Exceedingly” means incredibly, massively, or exceptionally. He'll have a large family line! “Twelve princes shall he beget:” – This is a crucial detail. God says that 12 of Ishmael’s sons will become the ancestors of a great nation. "Prince" refers to a powerful and influential figure in the future. “…and I will make him a great nation.” - Finally, God declares that this large family will become a nation – a group of people who will be significant and influential. What’s the big idea? This verse is a foundational story about God's plan to create humanity. It shows that God wants to establish a lineage – a family – that will grow and spread across the earth. It’s essentially the beginning of the story of Israel, and it highlights God’s desire for a continuing family line. In short, Genesis 17:20 describes God’s intention to create a significant figure named Ishmael, who will become the ancestor of a large nation. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail or perhaps explore its significance in the context of Jewish tradition?