Genesis 25:18 kjv
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.
Genesis 25:18 nkjv
(They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.
Genesis 25:18 niv
His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Ashur. And they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them.
Genesis 25:18 esv
They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled over against all his kinsmen.
Genesis 25:18 nlt
Ishmael's descendants occupied the region from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt in the direction of Asshur. There they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives.
Genesis 25 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 16:12 | He shall be a wild donkey of a man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him... | Prophecy of Ishmael's wild, adversarial nature |
| Gen 17:20 | As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him... and I will make him into a great nation. | God's blessing and promise to Ishmael |
| Gen 21:13 | ...I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring. | God's promise regarding Ishmael's nation |
| Gen 21:20 | God was with the boy, and he grew up... and became an expert archer. | Ishmael's strength and independence |
| Gen 25:13-16 | These are the names of the sons of Ishmael... twelve tribal princes according to their settlements. | List of Ishmael's descendants forming nations |
| 1 Chr 1:28-31 | The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. These are their generations: Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel... | Confirmation of Ishmael's descendants |
| Gen 2:11 | The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah... | Mention of Havilah as a land rich in gold |
| Exod 15:22 | Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. | Wilderness of Shur location near Egypt |
| 1 Sam 15:7 | Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. | Havilah and Shur as geographic markers |
| Gen 13:6-7 | The land could not support both of them dwelling together, for their possessions were so great... Strife arose... | Conflicts over land/resources (Lot & Abram) |
| Gen 36:7 | Their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land of their sojournings could not support them... | Conflicts over land/resources (Esau & Jacob) |
| Judges 6:3-4 | For whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites and Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded them. | Descendants of Abraham in conflict (Midianites also through Keturah) |
| Psa 120:7 | I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! | Desire for peace amidst conflict |
| Isa 21:13 | An oracle concerning Arabia. In the thickets in Arabia you will lodge, O caravans of Dedanites. | Reference to Arabian tribes, often Ishmaelites |
| Jer 25:23-24 | Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who shave the edges of their beards; all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed tribes... | Further reference to Arabian tribes |
| Gal 4:22-31 | For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman... allegorically, these women are two covenants. | Allegorical distinction between Ishmael's line and Isaac's (covenant vs. flesh) |
| Rom 9:6-8 | For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel... It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise. | Spiritual vs. natural lineage in God's plan |
| Heb 11:8-9 | By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called... He went out, not knowing where he was going. | Abraham's faith underlying the lineage story |
| Num 24:19-20 | From Jacob one shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of Ir... Amalek was the first of the nations, but its end is to perish. | Prophecy of Israel's dominion over surrounding nations |
| 2 Sam 8:12 | From Syria, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer... | Historical conflicts of Israel with neighbors, including descendants of Abraham (e.g., Amalek) |
Genesis 25 verses
Genesis 25 18 Meaning
Genesis 25:18 describes the vast geographical area inhabited by the descendants of Ishmael and summarizes the enduring character of their relationships. It highlights that they spread from Havilah to Shur, extending towards Assyria, thereby establishing a widespread presence. Crucially, it characterizes Ishmael (or his descendants following his nature) as living in a state of continuous opposition or conflict with his kinsmen, specifically referencing a fulfillment of earlier prophecy regarding his wild nature.Genesis 25 18 Context
Genesis 25:18 appears shortly after the death and burial of Abraham and before the birth narrative of Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac. Chapter 25 primarily serves as a transitional chapter, closing the narrative on Abraham's immediate family and providing background for the emergence of new generations. Verses 12-16 detail Ishmael's genealogy, listing his twelve sons who would become tribal leaders. Verse 17 explicitly records Ishmael's death. Therefore, verse 18 focuses on the legacy of Ishmael's descendants, detailing their geographical settlement and the inherent nature of their relationship with surrounding peoples, specifically 'his brothers.' This verse sets the stage for understanding future interactions between the descendants of Isaac (Israelites) and Ishmael, reflecting a continuing prophetic theme. Historically, this describes the vast, semi-nomadic presence of early Arabian tribes (considered Ishmaelites) across a significant part of the Near East, positioning them as neighbors to, and often in conflict with, the burgeoning nation of Israel.Genesis 25 18 Word analysis
- They lived (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ, vayyeshvu): Derived from the verb יָשַׁב (yashav), meaning "to sit, dwell, settle." Here, it refers to Ishmael's descendants and indicates their established habitation and widespread settlement across the designated region, marking them as a distinct group with a recognized territory.
- from Havilah (מֵחֲוִילָה, mehavilah): A geographical marker, often associated with lands rich in gold (Gen 2:11) and generally located in the Arabian Peninsula, possibly in its northwestern or southwestern parts. It signifies one extremity of the Ishmaelite domain.
- to Shur (עַד-שׁוּר, 'ad Shur): Another geographical boundary, referring to the wilderness of Shur, located east of Egypt and bordering the Sinai Peninsula. This marks the western extent of their territory, illustrating a broad arc of influence from the east towards the west.
- which is east of Egypt (אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי מִצְרַיִם, asher 'al-penei Mitsrayim): Clarifies the location of Shur, meaning "that which is before the face of Egypt" or "opposite Egypt." It denotes the immediate proximity and eastern border region relative to Egypt, implying control or frequent transit through this desert area.
- as you go toward Assyria (בֹּאֲכָה אַשּׁוּרָה, bo'akhah Ashurah): Provides a directional clarification, indicating that the territorial spread of Ishmael's descendants extended eastward from the Red Sea region towards Mesopotamia, demonstrating an extensive sphere of influence and perhaps migratory patterns reaching distant regions. Assyria, a powerful empire, anchors this geographical reach.
- He lived in hostility toward (וְנָפַל עַל-פְּנֵי, ve'nafal 'al-penei): This is a crucial phrase with significant interpretive nuance.
- נָפַל (nafal): Literally means "to fall." In this context, interpretations vary: "he fell (died)" (as Ishmael died in the previous verse); "he settled" or "he camped" (implying the location of his people's settlement); or, "he fell upon/over against" implying conflict. The most widely accepted theological interpretation, strongly influenced by Gen 16:12, is "he settled (his territory) in opposition" or "he lived in hostility."
- עַל-פְּנֵי ('al-penei): Literally "upon the face of," "in the presence of," or "opposite." Combined with nafal, it implies an antagonistic presence or being situated adversely against someone. It underlines the combative or contentious nature of Ishmael's lineage.
- all his brothers (כָּל-אֶחָיו, kol-'echav): Refers broadly to the other descendants of Abraham, particularly those through Isaac (the Israelites) but also possibly sons through Keturah. This phrase explicitly confirms the prophetic statement from Gen 16:12 about Ishmael being "against every man" and sets the stage for future tribal and national conflicts between these related groups.