The angel of Hashem said to her: Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son; you shall call his name Yishmael, for Hashem has heard your affliction.
English of Core Text: It was taught: Yishmael is one of those for whom a name was called before they were born, as it is written “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son; you shall call his name Yishmael.”
On the daf / in context: Pre-natal naming is listed among special distinctions; the Yerushalmi associates it primarily with the righteous.
Type of Learning
Custom
What Is Learned
Yishmael’s name was fixed by Heaven before his birth.