The Descendants of Ishmael
12This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. 13These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
16These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes. 17Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.
18Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.
God blessed Ishmael, he had twelve sons, twelve princes of twelve tribes!
But why does verse 18 have varying translations? Please look at verse 18 in the parallel bible.
The Hebrew can be translated;
“Lived to the east of” or “Lived in hostility toward”.
I believe it is the later because of the Lords prediction in Genesis 16:12.
Genesis 16:12 He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
Hatred corrodes the container it’s kept in.
Ishmael hated Isaac because Isaac inherited the Promise and Abraham’s wealth. His hatred was passed on to his sons and through the following generations.
1 John 2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Are you a wild donkey of a man or Is your container corroded?
Blessings, David
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