How many sons did Abraham have according to the Old Testament?
According to the Old Testament, Abraham had two sons: one by a bondmaid and the other by a free woman. Scripture records this distinction, and the context emphasizes that these two sons came from different mothers, one a servant and one free, with the promise ultimately tied to the free woman.
Les explains that the Old Testament records Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid and the other by a free woman. Most listeners know the story, but for those who have never heard it, Les goes back to Genesis. He notes that Abram had already been waiting 36 years for the promise of Genesis 12 to be fulfilled—that he would have a son, and out of that son would come a special race or nation. Sarai showed no signs whatsoever of ever being able to have a child. The context contrasts the two sons: one from the bondmaid, one from the free woman.
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.