Genesis 25:12-18

Ishmael's Posterity and Death.

Genesis 25:12 is from P; Genesis 25:18 is a fragment of J, but its original context is uncertain. Twelve tribes are said to be descended from Ishmael. The identification of Nebaioth (Genesis 28:9; Genesis 36:3; Isaiah 60:7) with the Nabatæ ans, famous in the period after the Exile, is now generally given up. It and Kedar (Isaiah 21:16 f. *, Isaiah 42:11; Isaiah 60:7; Jeremiah 2:10; Jeremiah 49:28; Psalms 12:05 *) lay probably to the E. of Edom. The other tribes are of less importance. Tema was a N. Arabian tribe about 250 miles to SE. of Edom, coupled with Dedan in Isaiah 21:13 f., Jeremiah 25:23, and with Sheba in Job 6:19. The problems raised by Genesis 25:18 are too complicated to be discussed here.