John Gill Commentary Genesis 21:13

"And also of the son of the handmaid will I make a nation, because he is thy seed." — Genesis 21:13 (ASV)

And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation ,
&c.] A great nation, as is promised, (Genesis 17:20); and such the Ishmaelites and Saracens have been, and the Turks now are, the descendants of Ishmael.

The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, a people of thieves, or a thieving people; as were the Saracens, and who are thought to have that name from the Arabic word "sarac" ^F25 , to thieve; though they would have it derived from Sarah: but it is not agreeable to the promise of God to Abraham, that when for his comfort he is told that his son Ishmael and his descendants should become a great nation, that they should be described as a company of thieves and robbers; and especially when the reason of the promise is given,

because he [is] your seed ;
or your son; here the word "seed" is again used of a single individual; see (Genesis 4:25) (Galatians 3:16) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F25: "furatus fuit, furto abstulit", Golius, col. 1167. Castel. col. 2626.