ישמעאל

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Hebrew

Etymology

From יִשְׁמַע (yishmá', yišmaʿ) +‎ אֵל ('él, ʾēl), literally "God will listen".

Pronunciation

Proper noun

יִשְׁמָעֵאל (yishma'élm

  1. (Abrahamism, biblical) Ishmael
  2. (Medieval Hebrew) the Muslim world, the Muslims
    • 1140, Yehuda HaLevi, “1:6”, in Judah ben Saul ibn Tibbon, transl., Sefer Kuzari:
      אַחַר כָּךְ אָמַר הַכּוּזָרִי בְלִבּוֹ, אֶשְׁאַל אֱדוֹם וְיִשְׁמָעִאל, כִּי אֶחָד מִשְּׁנֵי הַמַּעֲשִׂים הוּא הַנִּרְצֶה מֵאֵין סָפֵק.
      After this the Khazar said to himself, I will ask the Christians and the Muslims, for one of these two is undoubtedly God's will.
      (literally, “After this the Khazar said in his heart, I will ask Edom and Ishmael, for one of these two actions must be that which is wanted, without a doubt.”)

Coordinate terms

  • אדום (term referring to Christian countries)