These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, These are the namesThe phrase "These are the names" introduces a genealogical record, a common literary form in the Old Testament. In Hebrew culture, names were not merely labels but carried significant meaning and often reflected the character or destiny of the individual. This introduction emphasizes the importance of lineage and heritage, particularly in the context of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants. of the sons of Ishmael
Ishmael, the first son of Abraham through Hagar, is a significant figure in biblical history. His descendants, the Ishmaelites, are traditionally considered the ancestors of many Arab tribes. The mention of Ishmael's sons underscores God's faithfulness to His promise to Abraham that Ishmael would also become a great nation (Genesis 21:13). This highlights the theme of God's providence and the unfolding of His plans through various lineages. listed in order of their birth
The order of birth is significant in biblical genealogies, often indicating the rights and responsibilities of the firstborn. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the firstborn son typically held a place of prominence and received a double portion of the inheritance. This detail reflects the structured nature of family and societal roles during biblical times. Nebaioth was the firstborn
Nebaioth, as the firstborn of Ishmael, would have held a position of leadership among his brothers. His name, possibly meaning "heights" or "fruitfulness," suggests a sense of prominence or abundance. Nebaioth is later mentioned in Isaiah 60:7, indicating the enduring legacy of Ishmael's descendants and their inclusion in the prophetic vision of God's kingdom. then Kedar
Kedar is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a nomadic tribe known for their tents and flocks (Isaiah 21:16-17, Jeremiah 49:28-29). The name Kedar may mean "dark" or "mighty," reflecting either the physical characteristics or the strength of the tribe. Kedar's descendants played a significant role in the trade and cultural exchanges of the ancient Near East, illustrating the interconnectedness of the biblical world. Adbeel
Adbeel, whose name might mean "disciplined by God" or "miracle of God," is less frequently mentioned in the biblical text. However, his inclusion in this genealogy highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to Ishmael. Each name in this list serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the diverse ways His promises manifest through different peoples and cultures. Mibsam
Mibsam, possibly meaning "sweet smell" or "fragrance," is another son of Ishmael whose name carries a sense of pleasantness or blessing. The mention of Mibsam, like the other sons, underscores the theme of God's blessing extending beyond the immediate family of Abraham to encompass a broader range of nations and peoples, fulfilling the promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). Persons / Places / Events 1. IshmaelThe firstborn son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. Ishmael is considered the ancestor of several Arab tribes. 2. NebaiothThe firstborn son of Ishmael. His descendants are believed to have settled in the region that is now part of modern-day Saudi Arabia. 3. KedarThe second son of Ishmael. The Kedarites were a nomadic tribe known for their flocks and tents, often mentioned in the context of trade and warfare. 4. AdbeelThe third son of Ishmael. Little is known about Adbeel, but his name is included in the genealogical records of Ishmael's descendants. 5. MibsamThe fourth son of Ishmael. Like Adbeel, not much is detailed about Mibsam, but he is part of the lineage that fulfills God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesGod's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael is fulfilled through the listing of his sons. This demonstrates God's faithfulness and reliability in keeping His word. Significance of GenealogiesThe genealogies in the Bible are not mere lists of names but are crucial for understanding God's unfolding plan and the fulfillment of His promises. Legacy and InfluenceIshmael's descendants, though not part of the covenant line through Isaac, still play a significant role in history, showing that God's plans encompass all peoples. Understanding Our Spiritual HeritageJust as the descendants of Ishmael are part of God's broader account, believers today are encouraged to understand their place in God's account and live out their faith accordingly. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the listing of Ishmael's sons in Genesis 25:13 reflect God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:20? 2. In what ways do the genealogies in the Bible, such as the one in Genesis 25:13, help us understand God's faithfulness and plan? 3. How can the account of Ishmael and his descendants encourage us to trust in God's promises, even when we are not the primary focus of His covenant? 4. What lessons can we learn from the legacy of Ishmael's descendants about the impact of our own spiritual heritage? 5. How can we apply the understanding of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to our personal lives and challenges today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 17:20This verse records God's promise to Abraham that Ishmael would be blessed and become the father of twelve rulers, leading to a great nation. Genesis 25:13 begins the fulfillment of this promise by listing Ishmael's sons. Isaiah 60:7This passage mentions the flocks of Kedar, highlighting the wealth and significance of Ishmael's descendants in the context of future blessings and the gathering of nations. 1 Chronicles 1:29-31This genealogy reiterates the descendants of Ishmael, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises through generations. People Abraham, Abida, Abidah, Adbeel, Aram, Asshurim, Asshurites, Bethuel, Dedan, Dumah, Eldaah, Enoch, Ephah, Epher, Ephron, Esau, Hadad, Hadar, Hagar, Hanoch, Havilah, Heth, Hittites, Isaac, Ishbak, Ishmael, Jacob, Jetur, Jokshan, Kedar, Kedemah, Keturah, Laban, Letushim, Letushites, Leummim, Leummites, Mamre, Massa, Medan, Mibsam, Mishma, Naphish, Nebaioth, Nebajoth, Rebekah, Sarah, Shuah, Tema, Zimran, Zoar, ZoharPlaces Assyria, Beer-lahai-roi, Egypt, Machpelah, Mamre, Paddan-aram, Shur DesertTopics Adbeel, Birth, Births, Firstborn, First-born, Generations, Ishmael, Ish'mael, Ishmael's, Kedar, Listed, Mibsam, Named, Names, Nebaioth, Neba'ioth, Nebajoth, Order, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 25:13 5688 firstborn Genesis 25:12-18 5078 Abraham, significance Library Pottage Versus Birthright
Esau despised his birthright'--GENESIS xxv. 34. Broad lessons unmistakable, but points strange and difficult to throw oneself back to so different a set of ideas. So I. Deal with the narrative. Not to tell it over again, but bring out the following points:-- (a) Birthright.--What? None of them any notion of sacred, spiritual aspect of it. To all, merely material advantages: headship of the clan. All the loftier aspects gone from Isaac, who thought he could give it for venison, from Esau, and from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jacob and Esau
(Second Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxv. 29-34. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Every Believer's Birthright.
On every hand a lack of something is being felt and expressed by God's people. Their Christian experience is not what they expected it would be. Instead of expected victory, it is oft-recurring, dreaded defeat; instead of soul satisfaction, it is soul hunger; instead of deep, abiding heart rest, it is disquiet and discontent; instead of advancing, it is losing ground. Is this all Christ meant when He said, "Come unto Me"? Is this life of constant disappointment the normal life of the Bible Christian? …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 25:13 NIVGenesis 25:13 NLTGenesis 25:13 ESVGenesis 25:13 NASBGenesis 25:13 KJV
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