Genesis 25:12-18 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Ishmael's Posterity and Death.

Genesis 25:12-17 is from P; Genesis 25:18 is a fragment of J, but its original context is uncertain. Twelve tribes are said to be descended from Ishmael. The identification of Nebaioth (Genesis 28:9; Genesis 36:3; Isaiah 60:7) with the Nabatæ ans, famous in the period after the Exile, is now generally given up. It and Kedar (Isaiah 21:16 f. *, Isaiah 42:11; Isaiah 60:7; Jeremiah 2:10; Jeremiah 49:28; Psalms 12:05 *) lay probably to the E. of Edom. The other tribes are of less importance. Tema was a N. Arabian tribe about 250 miles to SE. of Edom, coupled with Dedan in Isaiah 21:13 f., Jeremiah 25:23, and with Sheba in Job 6:19. The problems raised by Genesis 25:18 are too complicated to be discussed here.

Related Commentaries of Genesis 25:12

Genesis 25:12-18

12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

15 Hadar,a and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he diedb in the presence of all his brethren.