Genesis 25:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes.

NIV: These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps.

NASB: These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes.

CSB: These are Ishmael’s sons, and these are their names by their settlements and encampments: twelve leaders of their clans.

NLT: These twelve sons of Ishmael became the founders of twelve tribes named after them, listed according to the places they settled and camped.

KJV: These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

NKJV: These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations.

The previous verses listed the twelve sons of Ishmael. Here we're told their names also become the names of their villages and encampments, each son a "prince" over his own tribe. Together, the twelve tribes of Ishmael's sons may have been a formidable force in the region. This fulfills a promise made to Hagar, the mother of Ishmael and a concubine of Abraham (Genesis 16:1–4; Genesis 21:8–14). Despite being removed from Abraham's family, Ishmael would be blessed with success, exactly as God had promised (Genesis 16:10–12).

Genesis 25:1–18 adds details before describing the deaths of Abraham and then Ishmael. Abraham has taken another wife, other than Sarah, and has six sons with her. He gives them gifts but sends them all away to the east. Isaac will be his sole true heir. Still, when Abraham dies and is buried at the age of 175, Ishmael joins Isaac for the funeral. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with a description of the region their tribes settled in. Finally, Ishmael dies, as well, at the age of 137.

Genesis 25 is packed with information. Abraham marries another wife, most likely before Sarah died, and has six sons with her. Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried by both Isaac and Ishmael at the family-owned cave where Sarah was buried. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with the region their tribes settled in, to the east of what would later become Israel. And, finally, God grants Isaac's prayer for Rebekah to become pregnant by giving the couple twins: the feuding Jacob and Esau.

The previous chapter tells the story of how Abraham's servant found a wife for Isaac from among Abraham's people. This chapter rushes to fill in the details of the end of Abraham's life before beginning the story of Isaac's years as patriarch. Abraham marries another woman and has six sons with her, eventually sending them all away from Isaac. Abraham dies and is buried with Sarah. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, and then his death is recorded, as well. Finally, Isaac's twin boys are born in response to his prayer to the Lord.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 11/8/2024 8:55:02 PM