# Abram was

This introduces background information about Abram's age when these things happened. Your language may have a special way to mark background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# bore [Ishmael](rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/ishmael) to Abram

This means "gave birth to Abram's son, [Ishmael](rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/ishmael)." The focus is on Abram having a son.