What age was Ishmael when sent to the desert by Abraham according to Bible and Islamic tradition?

According to the Bible, Ishmael was around 14 years old when he and his mother Hagar were sent by Abraham to the desert. This event is described in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament.

In Islamic tradition, Ishmael is believed to have been a young child, possibly an infant or toddler, when he and Hagar were sent to the desert by Abraham.

This event is also mentioned in Islamic texts such as the Quran and Hadiths.

The differences in age between the two traditions can be attributed to variations in interpretations of religious texts and cultural beliefs.

Both traditions agree on the basic narrative of Ishmael being sent away with his mother by Abraham, but there are slight discrepancies in details such as his age at that time.

Is Ishmael depicted as an infant in the Hajj ritual of Sa'i when he and his mother were sent to the desert by Abraham?

In the Hajj ritual of Sa'i, Ishmael is depicted as an infant because according to Islamic tradition, he was a baby when he and his mother Hagar were sent to the desert by Abraham.

This event is known as the story of Abraham and Hagar in Islam. In this story, Abraham was commanded by God to leave Hagar and baby Ishmael in the barren desert of Mecca with only a small amount of food and water.

As their supplies ran out, Hagar desperately searched for water for her infant son Ishmael until she found the well of Zamzam miraculously provided by God.

The act of Sa'i during Hajj reenacts Hagar's frantic search for water by walking back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times.

This ritual symbolizes devotion, perseverance, trust in God's provision, and the importance of seeking help in times of need.

By depicting Ishmael as an infant during this ritual, it serves as a reminder of his vulnerability and dependence on his mother during their time in the desert.

It also highlights their resilience and faith in God's plan despite facing hardships.

Overall, depicting Ishmael as an infant in the Hajj ritual of Sa'i helps to emphasize important themes such as family bonds, trust in divine providence, perseverance through challenges, and reliance on faith during difficult times.

The Departure of Hagar and Ishmael: Analyzing Biblical Text and Midrash Interpretations

According to biblical accounts, Ishmael is described as a teenager at the time he and Hagar depart from Abraham's household. In contrast, Islamic tradition presents him as an infant or young child whom Hagar nurses as they leave Abraham's residence.
Was Ishmael placed on Hagar's shoulder by Abraham in Genesis 21 before their departure? Was Ishmael able to walk when Abraham sent him and his mother away? How does the Midrash explain it?

Midrash is a term used in Jewish tradition to refer to a method of interpreting biblical texts. It involves exploring and expanding upon the stories, laws, and teachings found in the Hebrew Bible through storytelling, commentary, and analysis. Midrashic interpretations often seek to uncover deeper meanings or lessons within the text and can vary widely in style and content.

The Midrash provides an interpretation of the events in Genesis 21. According to the Midrash, Ishmael was indeed placed on Hagar's shoulders, and this act is seen as a demonstration of Hagar's devotion to her son. However, the Midrash also acknowledges the inconsistency between Ishmael's age and his physical abilities, suggesting that the text may have been altered or fabricated to fit the narrative.

According to Rashi's commentary, Ishmael was unable to walk at the time, potentially due to an evil eye cast upon him by Sarah that caused him to become ill. Rashi suggests Abraham placed the teenage Ishmael on Hagar's shoulder along with their supplies because he was too feeble to walk on his own.

So in summary, while Rashi argues Ishmael was placed on Hagar's shoulders because he was too ill to walk, this explanation is debated given Ishmael's age and other details in the text and Midrash. The passage is ambiguous about how Hagar and Ishmael departed together. Alternative interpretations suggest Ishmael was old enough to walk, even if he required some support from his mother.

A passage from “Hard Sayings of the Bible” states:

A number of commentators have insisted on the fact that Ishmael was placed on the shoulders of Hagar when she left. This would imply that at the time the boy was a mere infant who needed to be carried by his mother. Then in Genesis 21, verse 15, he is spoken of as being cast or placed under a bush.

Now after these interpreters have reached these conclusions about Ishmael being a mere infant, they go on to declare that this assessment is in conflict with Genesis 16, verse 16, 17, verse 25, and 21, verse 5, where the boy seems to be at least thirteen or fourteen years old, and that this is the mark of multiple sources, for the texts were not edited as carefully as they should have been.

What is the explanation for this argument?

The argument you've mentioned is centered around the apparent discrepancies in Ishmael's age in different parts of the Genesis narrative. The confusion arises from the portrayal of Ishmael as both an infant and a teenager in various passages.

According to Genesis 16, verse 16, Abraham was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. By the time Isaac was born, Abraham was 100 years old, making Ishmael approximately 14 years old (Genesis 21, verse 5). The event of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away occurs after the weaning of Isaac, which could imply that Ishmael was between 17 and 19 years old at that time.

The passage you've cited suggests that some commentators interpret the text as if Ishmael were an infant during this event, based on the description of him being carried on Hagar's shoulders and placed under a bush. This interpretation could be seen as conflicting with the earlier texts that indicate Ishmael's teenage years.

The explanation for this discrepancy is a subject of debate among scholars. Some propose that it might be due to multiple sources or redactions in the text, which were not perfectly harmonized. Others suggest that the narrative is not strictly chronological or that the descriptions are figurative rather than literal. It's also possible that the term "child" or "boy" used in the text does not necessarily imply infancy but could simply refer to a son.