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We are discussing the legitimacy of the offspring in what was clearly a polygamous society. That has absolutely nothing to do with the marriage a man might have made with one, two or a dozen women, or whether or not it was considered appropriate to share one's handmaiden for purposes of procreation (only, of course)!

The children were Abram's, and that's all that counted in that society at that time. It is inappropriate to read modern understandings into events in his life.

Dead wrong!

Polygamy was NOT approved by God however people did it anyway. Just because Kings had concubines doesn't mean it meant with God's approval. It did not. It never has. It never will.

I am not reading "modern interpretation" into anything.

Perhaps you should read the Bible and see what took place before making statements.

Gen.25:5,6,11,19

[5] And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

[6] But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

[11] And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi.

[19] And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:

So again, I say Isaac was the LEGITIMATE son and received ALL the appropriate blessings for a legitimate son. If you still disagree with me, perhaps you need to argue it out with God.

Children by concubines didn't matter and that included Ishmael. YOU are reading modern day humanism into what took place in the Bible.

Something else to keep in mind if you open the Bible:

Exod.6:3,6,8

[3] And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Do you see Ishmael's name there?

[8] And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

I still don't' see Ishmael's name there.

God does keep His promises through LEGITMATE seed.