Verse 17 reports the death but not the burial of Ishmael. This report appears to interrupt the continuity between verses 16 and 18. The form of the death report follows that of Abraham in verses 7-8. However, it is to be noted that “and died in a good old age” and “an old man and full of years” is lacking.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .