Overview
The Bible addresses ishmaelites, the across 32 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Judges, 1 Chronicles and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Gideon, Hagar, Midianites and Arabians. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Gideon and Ishmael.
Key Bible verses about ishmaelites, the
Old Testament
Genesis
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: Hadar: or, Hadad
Judges
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. men that: or, every one drawing a sword
And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.
And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host. discomfited: Heb. terrified
And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men. described: Heb. writ
And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. taught: Heb. made to know
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. resembled: Heb. according to the form, etc
And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks. ornaments: or, ornaments like the moon
Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
1 Chronicles
These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. valiant: Heb. sons of valour
And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
Isaiah
The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. brought: or, bring ye
For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. from the swords: or, for fear, etc: Heb. from the face, etc
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it. archers: Heb. bows
Jeremiah
Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners, that: Heb. cut off into corners, or, having the corners of the hair polled
And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,
And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,
People in the Bible and ishmaelites, the
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying ishmaelites, the for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 25:13, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Judges, 1 Chronicles and Isaiah each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Gideon and Ishmael and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Gideon, Hagar, Midianites and Arabians.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about ishmaelites, the?
The Bible addresses ishmaelites, the across 32 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Judges, 1 Chronicles and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Gideon, Hagar, Midianites and Arabians. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Gideon and Ishmael.
How many Bible verses are about ishmaelites, the?
The Bible references ishmaelites, the in 32 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention ishmaelites, the?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 25:13: “And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,”
Which people in the Bible are associated with ishmaelites, the?
Gideon and Ishmael.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on ishmaelites, the.
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