4591. 'That she called his name Ben-oni' means the nature of that state. This is clear from the meaning of 'calling the name' as the essential nature, often dealt with already. The state that is described here in the internal sense is a state of temptations, the nature of this state being meant by 'Ben-oni'; for in the original language Ben-oni means Son of my pain (or sorrow). In ancient times infants were given names by which states were meant spiritually, see 1946, 2643, 3422, 4298.

1946. 'And you will call his name Ishmael' means its state of life. In ancient times sons and daughters used to be given names which meant the state that their parents were passing through, especially that of their mothers at the time of conception, or while they were with child, or when they gave birth, or after their infants had been born. Names accordingly carried a meaning. The origin of Ishmael's name is explained here, namely 'because Jehovah has hearkened to your affliction', which was his mother's state. What Ishmael represents however is described in the next verse.