Genesis 25:16

From OpenWordBase

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

History, Archaeology, Sociology

Ancestry, Lineage, Fortresses ^{(224) (225) (226)}

These are their names by which their descendants were called. Their towns - places of encampment in the wilderness, such as have been used by the Arabs from the remotest times. Their castles, their towers, probably [[mountain]-tops, fortified rocks, and fastnesses of various kinds in woods and hilly countries. “...by their towns, and by their castles.” The former are unwalled collections of houses or perhaps tents; the latter, fortified keeps or encampments. “Twelve princes,” one for each tribe, descended from his twelve sons. The word rendered “castles,” is supposed by some to denote here “towers,” fortified rocks, or mountain-tops, and fastnesses of various kinds in woods and hilly countries; but it rather means, “shepherds’ cots,” surrounded by sufficient enclosures to prevent the cattle from straying, signifying “a sheep-fold.”

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 of. Observe here what is said concerning his children. He had twelve sons, twelve princes they are called heads of families, which in process of time became nations, distinct tribes, numerous and very considerable. They peopled a very large continent, that lay between Egypt and Assyria, called Arabia. The names of his twelve sons are recorded. Midian and Kedar we often read of in scripture. And some very good expositors have taken notice of the signification of those three names which are put together, as containing good advice to us all, Mishma, Dumah, and Massa, that is, hear, keep silence, and bear; we have them together in the same order, James 1:19: Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. The posterity of Ishmael had not only tents in the fields, wherein they grew rich in times of peace; but they had towns and castles, wherein they fortified themselves in time of war. Now the number and strength of this family were the fruit of the promise made to Hagar concerning Ishmael, and to Abraham. Note, many that are strangers to the covenants of promise are yet blessed with outward prosperity for the sake of their godly ancestors. Wealth and riches shall be in their house.