John Calvin Commentary Genesis 16:12

"And he shall be [as] a wild ass among men; his hand [shall be] against every man, and every man`s hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his brethren." — Genesis 16:12 (ASV)

And he will be a wild man. The angel declares what kind of person Ishmael will be. The simple meaning is (in my judgment) that he will be a warlike man, and so formidable to his enemies that none will injure him with impunity. Some interpret the word פרא (pereh) to mean a forester, and one devoted to hunting wild animals.

But the explanation, it seems, must be sought only in the context, for it follows immediately after: His hand shall be against all men, and the hand of all men against him. However, it is asked whether this should be considered among the benefits conferred by God, that he is to preserve his position in life by force of arms, since nothing is, in itself, more desirable than peace.

The difficulty may be solved in this way: that Ishmael, although all his neighbors should wage war against him, and should, on every side, conspire to destroy him, will yet, though alone, be endowed with sufficient power to repel all their attacks. I think, however, that the angel by no means promises Ishmael complete favor, but only that which is limited.

Among our chief blessings, we must desire to have peace with all men. Now, since this is denied to Ishmael, the next blessing in order is granted to him: namely, that he will not be overcome by his enemies, but will be brave and powerful enough to resist their force.

He does not, however, speak of Ishmael as an individual, but of his whole progeny, for what follows is not strictly applicable to one man. If this interpretation is accepted, no simple or unmixed blessing is promised here, but only a tolerable or moderate condition, so that Ishmael and his posterity might perceive that something was divinely granted to them for the sake of their father Abram.

Therefore, it is by no means to be considered one of the benefits given by God that he will have enemies all around him and will resist them all by violence. But this is added as a remedy and an alleviation of the evil: that he who would have many enemies should be strong enough to stand against them.

And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. Since this is properly applicable only to a nation, we therefore more easily perceive that those who restrict the passage to Ishmael as an individual are mistaken.

Again, others understand that the posterity of Ishmael was to have a fixed habitation in the presence of their brethren, who would be unwilling to allow it—as if it were said that they would forcibly occupy the land they inhabit, even though their brethren might attempt to resist them.

Others offer a contrary opinion: namely, that the Ishmaelites, though living among a great number of enemies, would nevertheless not be destitute of friends and brethren.

However, I agree with neither opinion, for the angel rather intimates that this people would be separate from others, as if he were saying, ‘They shall not form a part or member of any one nation, but shall be a complete body, having a distinct and special name.’