Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son ,.... Or the genealogy of his posterity; and which is given to show that the Lord was not unmindful of his promise made to Abraham, concerning the multiplication of his seed, Genesis 16:10 , whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham ; see Genesis 16:1 . read more
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael ,.... After mentioned: by their names, according to their generations; which were imposed upon them at their birth, and are recited according to the order in which they were born, as follows: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth : mentioned in Isaiah 60:7 ; and from whence a people of the Arabs are called Nabathaeans, and their country Nabathaea. Josephus F9 Antiqu. l. 1. c. 12. sect. 4. says, that all the country from Euphrates to... read more
These are the generations of Ishmael - The object of the inspired writer seems to be to show how the promises of God were fulfilled to both the branches of Abraham's family. Isaac has been already referred to; God blessed him according to the promise. He had also promised to multiply Ishmael, and an account of his generation is introduced to show how exactly the promise had also been fulfilled to him. read more
Nebajoth - From whom came the Nabatheans, whose capital was Petra, or, according to Strabo, Nabathea. They dwelt in Arabia Petraea, and extended themselves on the east towards Arabia Deserta. Kedar - The founder of the Cedreans, who dwelt near to the Nabatheans. The descendants of Kedar form a part of the Saracens. Adbeel, and Mibsam - Where these were situated is not known. read more
Verse 12 12.Now these are the generations of Ishmael. This narration is not superfluous. In the commencement of the chapter, Moses alludes to what was done for the sons of Keturah. Here he speaks designedly more at large, for the purpose of showing that the promise of God, given in the seventeenth chapter (Genesis 17:1,) was confirmed by its manifest accomplishment. In the first place, it was no common gift of God that Ishmael should have twelve sons who should possess rank and authority over... read more
The line of blessing. Although Abraham has many descendants, he carefully distinguishes the line of the Divine blessing. His peaceful end at 175 years set the seal upon a long life of faith and fellowship with God. His two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, met at their father's grave, although living apart. The influence of such a character as Abraham's is very elevating and healing, even in the sphere of the world. Ishmael is not entirely forgotten, but Isaac, as the true heir of Abraham, hands on... read more
§ 8. THE GENERATIONS OF ISHMAEL ( Genesis 25:12-18 ). EXPOSITION Now these are the generations of Ishmael ,—the opening of a new section (cf. Genesis 2:4 ), in which the fortunes of Abraham's eldest son are briefly traced before proceeding with the main current of the history in the line of Isaac (cf. 1 Chronicles 1:29-31 )— Abraham's son ,—because of his relation to Abraham it was that Ishmael attained subsequent historical development and importance ( vide Genesis... read more
The generations of Ishmael, or the biography of a prince. I. THE PRINCE 'S NAME . Ishmael. 1. The significance of his name. "God hears.' It was thus a perpetual reminder to its bearer of a grand religious truth, that God is essentially a hearer of prayer, and that he is never far from any of his intelligent and needy creatures. 2. The occasion of his getting it. 3. The verification of his name. When he lay beneath the shrub God heard the voice of his distressful cry... read more
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth;— "Heights;" the Nabathaeans , a people of Northern Arabia, possessed of abundant flocks ( Isaiah 9:7 ), and, according to Diodorus, living by merchandise and rapine (Gesenius). From Petraea they subsequently extended as far as Babylon (Keil)— and Kedar ,—"Black Skin;" the Cedrei of Pliny (Gesenius, Keil, Rosen-mailer); characterized as good bowmen ( ... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:11-18
Immediately after the account of Abraham's death, Moses begins the story of Isaac (Gen. 25:11), and tells us where he dwelt and how remarkably God blessed him. Note, The blessing of Abraham did not die with him, but survived to all the children of the promise. But he presently digresses from the story of Isaac, to give a short account of Ishmael, forasmuch as he also was a son of Abraham, and God had made some promises concerning him, which it was requisite we should know the accomplishment... read more