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Topical Bible: Ishmaelites

Topical Encyclopedia

The Ishmaelites are a significant group mentioned in the Bible, primarily recognized as the descendants of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. The narrative of Ishmael and his descendants is woven throughout the Old Testament, providing insight into their role and interactions with the Israelites.

Ancestry and Origin

The origin of the Ishmaelites is traced back to Genesis 16, where Hagar, an Egyptian servant of Sarah, bears Abraham's first son, Ishmael. The Lord's angel prophesies about Ishmael, saying, "He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers" (Genesis 16:12). This prophecy sets the stage for the future interactions between Ishmael's descendants and other groups.

Genealogy and Settlement

Ishmael had twelve sons, who became the progenitors of twelve tribes, as recorded in Genesis 25:13-16. These tribes settled in the region stretching from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as one goes toward Assyria. The Bible notes, "They lived in hostility toward all their brothers" (Genesis 25:18), indicating a history of conflict and independence.

Role in Biblical Narratives

The Ishmaelites appear in several key biblical narratives. One of the most notable is the account of Joseph. In Genesis 37, Joseph's brothers sell him to a caravan of Ishmaelites traveling to Egypt. "Then Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt" (Genesis 37:28). This event sets the stage for Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt and the subsequent migration of the Israelites.

Cultural and Historical Context

The Ishmaelites are often associated with the nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. They were known for their trade and commerce, particularly in spices, balm, and myrrh, as indicated by their caravan trade routes. The Ishmaelites' lifestyle and economic activities are reflective of the broader nomadic cultures of the ancient Near East.

Relations with Israel

Throughout the Old Testament, the Ishmaelites are depicted as both kin and adversaries to the Israelites. Their relationship is complex, marked by both familial ties and conflicts. The Ishmaelites, along with other groups such as the Midianites, often appear as adversaries in the narratives of the Judges and the early monarchy.

Legacy and Significance

The Ishmaelites hold a significant place in biblical history as the forebears of a large and influential group of tribes. Their interactions with the Israelites highlight themes of kinship, conflict, and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. The legacy of Ishmael and his descendants continues to be a subject of interest in biblical studies, reflecting the broader narrative of God's promises and the unfolding history of the nations.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ISHMAELITES

ish'-ma-el-its (yishme`e'lim): The supposed descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, whom Abraham sent away from him after the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:14-21). The sons of Ishmael are given in Genesis 25:13, 14; they were twelve in number and gave rise to as many tribes, but the term Ishmaelite has a broader signification, as appears from Genesis 37:28. 36, where it is identified with Midianite. From Genesis 16:12 it may be inferred that it was applied to the Bedouin of the desert region East of the Jordan generally, for the character there assigned to Ishmael, "His hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him," fits the habits of Bedouin in all ages. Such was the character of the Midianites as described in Judges 7, who are again identified with the Ishmaelites (8:24). These references show that the Ishmaelites were not confined to the descendants of the son of Abraham and Hagar, but refer to the desert tribes in general, like "the children of the east" (Judges 7:12).

H. Porter

Strong's Hebrew

3459. Yishmeeli -- descendant of Ishmael
... descendant of Ishmael. Transliteration: Yishmeeli Phonetic Spelling: (yish-maw-ay-
lee') Short Definition: Ishmaelites. Word Origin from Yishmael Definition desc ...
/hebrew/3459.htm - 6k

3669. Kna'aniy -- inhab. of Canaan
... Patrial from Kna'an; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar
(the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted ...
/hebrew/3669.htm - 5k

Library

Joseph, the Castaway.
... It was a company of Ishmaelites carrying costly spices down into Egypt to sell
them. Then Judah said,. ... Let us sell him to these Ishmaelites.". ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter vi joseph the castaway.htm

Joseph and his Brethren
... And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold,
a travelling company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/i joseph and his brethren.htm

Joseph Sold as a Slave by his Brothers
... Then they sat down to eat and, when they looked up, they saw a band of Ishmaelites
coming from Gilead; and their camels were loaded with spices, gum, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/joseph sold as a slave.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... within bounds, and I honoured my brethren; and through fear of them I held my peace
when I was sold, and revealed not my family to the Ishmaelites, that I was ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

Providence
... As they are about to eat bread, some Ishmaelites came by. Why did they come there
at all? ... Why was it that the Ishmaelites wanted to buy slaves? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/providence.htm

Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty ...
... Narrative concerning the Ishmaelites and the Saracens, and their Goods; and how
they began to be Christianized through Zocomus, Their Phylarch. ...
/.../chapter xxxviii concerning mania the phylarch.htm

Chapter xxxix
... Joseph he was brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh's, captain
of the bodyguard, an Egyptian man, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxix.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... home. Scarcely was the interesting boy weeping in his prison before a caravan
of Ishmaelites, and then of Midianites, came in sight. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... East.". The larger part of northern Arabia, however, was the home of the Ishmaelites. ...
pronounced. The Ishmaelites were merchants and traders. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors
... The men who bought Joseph from his brothers were called Ishmaelites, because they
belonged to the family of Ishmael, who, you remember, was the son of Hagar ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of joseph and.htm

Thesaurus

Ishmaelites (6 Occurrences)
...ISHMAELITES. ... Such was the character of the Midianites as described in Judges
7, who are again identified with the Ishmaelites (8:24). ...
/i/ishmaelites.htm - 9k

Ish'maelites (6 Occurrences)
Ish'maelites. Ishmaelites, Ish'maelites. Ishmael's . Multi-Version
Concordance Ish'maelites (6 Occurrences). Genesis 37:25 And they ...
/i/ish'maelites.htm - 8k

Potiphar (4 Occurrences)
... Dedicated to Ra; ie, to the sun-god, the Egyptian to whom the Ishmaelites sold Joseph
(Genesis 39:1). He was "captain of the guard", ie, chief, probably, of ...
/p/potiphar.htm - 8k

Sell (58 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:27 Come, and let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand
be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him. ...
/s/sell.htm - 26k

Midianites (30 Occurrences)
... See KENITES. Again, the tribesmen are named indifferently Ishmaelites and
Midianites (Genesis 37:25, 28, 36 Judges 8:22, 24). They ...
/m/midianites.htm - 21k

Midian (60 Occurrences)
... See KENITES. Again, the tribesmen are named indifferently Ishmaelites and
Midianites (Genesis 37:25, 28, 36 Judges 8:22, 24). They ...
/m/midian.htm - 32k

Ishmeelites
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Genesis 37:28; 39:1, AV) should be "Ishmaelites," as
in the Revised Version. Int. ... ish'-me-el-its (yishme`e'li). See ISHMAELITES. ...
/i/ishmeelites.htm - 6k

Price (181 Occurrences)
... (See JPS BBE NAS). Genesis 37:27 Let us give him to these Ishmaelites for a price,
and let us not put violent hands on him, for he is our brother, our flesh. ...
/p/price.htm - 40k

Gilead (130 Occurrences)
... The soil is not now cultivated to any great extent; but it furnishes ample pasture
for many flocks and herds (Songs 6:5). The Ishmaelites from Gilead (Genesis ...
/g/gilead.htm - 56k

Lifted (466 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:25 They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked,
and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels ...
/l/lifted.htm - 36k

Resources

Who were the Ishmaelites? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Ishmael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How long was Joseph in prison? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Ishmaelites (6 Occurrences)

Genesis 37:25
They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Genesis 37:27
Come, and let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Genesis 37:28
Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Genesis 39:1
Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites that had brought him down there.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Judges 8:24
Gideon said to them, "I would make a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his spoil." (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 83:6
The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Ishmaelites

Ishmaelites: Called Midianites

Ishmaelites: Enemies to Israel

Ishmaelites: Merchants of, Buy Joseph

Ishmaelites: Region Occupied By

The Ishmaelites were the Merchants of the East

The Ishmaelites: Called: Arabians

The Ishmaelites: Called: Hagarenes

The Ishmaelites: Called: Hagarites

The Ishmaelites: Descended from Abraham's Son, Ishmael