Genesis 25:13 kjv
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,
Genesis 25:13 nkjv
And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Genesis 25:13 niv
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Genesis 25:13 esv
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Genesis 25:13 nlt
Here is a list, by their names and clans, of Ishmael's descendants: The oldest was Nebaioth, followed by Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Genesis 25 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 16:10 | The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot..." | Promise to Hagar about Ishmael's innumerable offspring. |
| Gen 17:20 | And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful...twelve princes." | God's specific promise to bless Ishmael and make him a father of twelve princes. |
| Gen 21:13 | And I will make a nation of the son of the bondwoman also, because he is your offspring." | God's promise to Abraham that Ishmael will become a great nation. |
| Gen 21:18 | "Arise, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation." | Angel's words to Hagar reiterating the promise for Ishmael. |
| Isa 60:7 | All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you... " | Prophecy linking Nebaioth and Kedar as powerful, wealthy tribes. |
| Jer 49:28 | Concerning Kedar and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor... arise, go up against Kedar, and destroy..." | Kedar as a significant desert tribe targeted by prophecy. |
| Ezek 27:21 | "Arabia and all the princes of Kedar, they were your favored dealers in lambs, rams, and goats..." | Kedar as a trading power among Arabian tribes, rich in livestock. |
| Ps 120:5 | "Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!" | Kedar as representing distant, hostile desert dwellers. |
| 1 Chron 1:29-31 | These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam... " | Chronological reiteration of Ishmael's sons. |
| Gen 10:32 | These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations..." | General emphasis on genealogies tracing nations. |
| Gen 35:23-26 | The sons of Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun... Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali... Asher. | Parallel structure of listing sons of Abraham's other offspring. |
| Gen 36:1-3 | Now these are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom). Esau took his wives from the daughters..." | Esau's (Isaac's son) detailed genealogy for a separate nation. |
| Num 1:44-46 | These are the ones who were listed by Moses and Aaron... of the people of Israel, their fathers' houses..." | Importance of lineage for tribal identity and organization in Israel. |
| Mt 1:1 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." | New Testament opening emphasizes the significance of genealogies to establish messianic claims. |
| Lk 3:23-38 | Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph..." | Detailed New Testament genealogy demonstrating Christ's lineage. |
| Rom 9:7-8 | Nor is it all the children of Abraham who are children of God, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." | Highlights that spiritual lineage is distinct from physical, though God's promise still blessed Ishmael. |
| Heb 11:18 | Of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." | Reinforces the line of promise through Isaac, distinguishing it from Ishmael's line. |
| 2 Sam 7:12-16 | When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you..." | Divine promise about a lasting lineage, underscoring God's faithfulness to His word. |
| Deut 32:8 | When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the children of men..." | God's sovereignty over the formation and placement of all nations, including Ishmael's descendants. |
| Neh 13:2-3 | ...they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them..." | Historical context where different tribes interacted with Israel, sometimes hostilely. |
| Jude 1:1 | Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father..." | The significance of identity and origin as foundational for understanding a person's role. |
Genesis 25 verses
Genesis 25 13 Meaning
Genesis 25:13 identifies the initial four of Ishmael's twelve sons, listed specifically by their names, commencing with his firstborn, Nebaioth, followed by Kedar, Adbeel, and Mibsam. This verse marks the beginning of the genealogical record of Ishmael's lineage, fulfilling God's promise regarding his multitude of descendants and their future status as "princes."
Genesis 25 13 Context
Genesis chapter 25 details significant family transitions, most notably the deaths of Abraham and his wife Keturah. Prior to these accounts, and directly following Abraham's burial by Isaac and Ishmael (Gen 25:9), the narrative shifts focus to the lineages of both Isaac (the chosen line) and Ishmael. This verse, Gen 25:13, marks the beginning of Ishmael's family record (toldot Yishma'el), outlining the foundational names of the tribes that would descend from him. This context establishes the origins of nations neighboring ancient Israel, fulfilling divine promises of multiplication for Abraham's son, Ishmael, even though the covenant line continued through Isaac. It serves as an accounting of God's faithful hand in all His plans, for Isaac and Ishmael alike, setting the geopolitical stage for future biblical interactions.
Genesis 25 13 Word analysis
- These (אֵלֶּה, elleh): A demonstrative pronoun, serving as an emphatic introduction to a list or description, often signifying "these are indeed."
- are the names (שְׁמוֹת, sh'mot): Plural of shem, meaning "name," "reputation," or "memorial." The listing of names is crucial for identifying progenitors and establishing the basis of lineage and tribal identity in ancient cultures.
- of the sons (בְּנֵי, b'ney): Plural construct of ben, meaning "son." Highlights the patriarchal nature of the society and the continuation of family lines through male descendants.
- of Ishmael (יִשְׁמָעֵאל, Yishma'el): Meaning "God hears" or "God has heard." A pivotal figure, Abraham's firstborn son through Hagar, blessed by God. His name connects to Hagar's experience of God hearing her distress.
- by their names (בִּשְׁמוֹתָם, bish'motam): Repetition of "names" here emphasizes specificity and clarity in the genealogical record. It’s a common ancient Hebrew stylistic device to highlight detail.
- according to their generations (תֹּלְדֹתָם, tol'dotam): Derived from toledah, meaning "generations," "lineages," "accounts of descendants." This specific Hebrew term frequently signals a significant genealogical or historical section in Genesis, establishing descent and continuity.
- the firstborn of Ishmael (בְּכֹר יִשְׁמָעֵאל, b'khor Yishma'el): Refers to Nebaioth, affirming his status as the initial male heir, which often carried privileges and responsibilities in the ancient Near East. This details the order of birth within the lineage.
- Nebaioth (נְבָיוֹת, N'vayot): Possibly meaning "high places" or "elevations." Historically, he is often associated with the Nabataeans, a significant Arabian people known for trade and stone cities.
- then Kedar (קֵדָר, Qedar): Meaning "dark" or "black." Progenitor of the Qedarites, a powerful nomadic Arab tribal confederation prominent in the ancient Near East, frequently mentioned in prophetic texts regarding their wealth and influence.
- Adbeel (אַדְבְּאֵל, Adb'el): Meaning "servant of God" or "distress of God." Little is known historically about this specific tribal group, but the name reflects ancient Near Eastern theological concepts.
- Mibsam (מִבְשָׂם, Mivsam): Meaning "fragrant" or "sweet smell." Like Adbeel, this name primarily contributes to the list of Ishmael's initial offspring.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "These are the names... according to their generations": This phrase establishes a formal, ordered list, a typical way Genesis presents lineages (toldot formula). It validates the specific details that follow, asserting accuracy and importance of these family records as foundational history.
- "the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam": This structured presentation from firstborn to subsequent sons is characteristic of biblical genealogies. It demonstrates a complete and chronological account of the direct progenitors, indicating the genesis of major Arabian tribes who would play a role in Israel's history. The selection of four names here signifies the commencement of a complete enumeration, leading into the remaining eight sons in the subsequent verses.
Genesis 25 13 Bonus section
- The naming of Ishmael's twelve sons, listed in Genesis 25:13-16, directly fulfills God's promise to Abraham in Gen 17:20, where He explicitly states, "I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation."
- The Ishmaelite tribes, specifically Nebaioth and Kedar, would become significant entities, controlling important trade routes through the Arabian deserts (e.g., incense trade). Their listing here foreshadows their future historical prominence and their frequent, sometimes complex, interactions with ancient Israel.
- While Israel's lineage traced through Isaac (and Jacob) would lead to the nation through whom the Savior would come, the meticulous recording of Ishmael's lineage reminds us that God's sovereignty extends over all peoples and nations.
Genesis 25 13 Commentary
Genesis 25:13 functions as the foundational point for understanding the lineage of Ishmael, setting out the initial four names of his twelve sons, beginning with Nebaioth. This listing is not merely a dry record but a theological statement regarding God's unwavering faithfulness. Despite Isaac being the son of the covenant, God did not abandon His promises made concerning Ishmael, ensuring his multitude and the emergence of twelve princes. The names listed, particularly Nebaioth and Kedar, connect to later historically powerful Arabian tribes, underscoring the Bible's historical accuracy and its insight into the geopolitical landscape. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding future interactions between Israel and its southern/eastern neighbors, tracing their origins back to a common ancestor, Abraham, yet distinguishing their paths. It teaches that God's plan is vast and intricate, encompassing even those not in the primary line of covenant promise, thereby displaying His expansive mercy and providential control over all nations.