Lexical Summary Yishmeeli: Ishmaelite Original Word: יִשְׁמָעֵאלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ishmaelite Patronymically from Yishma'e'l; a Jishmaelite or descendant of Jishmael -- Ishmaelite. see HEBREW Yishma'e'l NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Yishmael Definition desc. of Ishmael NASB Translation Ishmaelite (2), Ishmaelites (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי adjective, of a people of ׳יִשׁ 1; — singular with article ׳הַיִשׁ 1 Chronicles 2:17 + "" 2 Samuel 17:25 (so read for. ׳הַיִּשְׂרָאֵלִ, see Commentaries); הַיִּשְׁמְעֵלִי 1 Chronicles 27:30; plural (הַ)יִשְׁמְעֵאלִים Ishmaelites Genesis 37:25,27; Genesis 35:28; Genesis 39:1; Judges 8:24; Psalm 83:7. Topical Lexicon Identity and Origin Descended from Ishmael, the firstborn of Abraham through Hagar (Genesis 16:11-12; 25:12-18), the Ishmaelites quickly grew into a large, semi-nomadic people. Scripture portrays them as dwelling in the deserts east and south of Canaan, traversing the trade routes that linked Gilead, the Arabah, and the Nile Valley. Geographical and Cultural Profile The Ishmaelites are consistently associated with caravan commerce. Genesis 37 locates them “coming from Gilead” and headed “down to Egypt” (Genesis 37:25), while Psalm 83:6 places them among the neighboring peoples who opposed Israel. Their lifestyle combined animal husbandry (notably camels) with profitable long-distance trade in spices, balsam, and myrrh. Such economic mobility positioned them both as useful intermediaries and occasional adversaries to Israel throughout her history. Ishmaelites in the Joseph Narrative The first canonical appearance occurs in the sale of Joseph: “Then they sat down to eat a meal. When they looked up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead—their camels bearing spices, balsam, and myrrh, on their way down to Egypt” (Genesis 37:25). Joseph’s brothers reason, “Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites” (Genesis 37:27). Genesis 37:28 records the transaction for twenty shekels of silver, and Genesis 39:1 notes that these traders sold Joseph to Potiphar in Egypt. The episode highlights: Relationship to Midianites Genesis 37 uses “Midianite” and “Ishmaelite” almost interchangeably (Genesis 37:28, 36), and Judges 8:24 connects Midianites with “the earrings of the Ishmaelites.” This overlap suggests either intermarriage, confederation, or loose ethnic boundaries among desert tribes descended from Abraham through Keturah and Hagar (Genesis 25:1-4, 12-18). The biblical text therefore views the two groups as distinct yet allied, sharing common economic patterns and occasionally uniting against Israel. Appearance in the Period of the Judges and Monarchy Judges 8:24 records Gideon’s request for earrings plundered from Midianite-Ishmaelite warriors, reflecting their wealth in gold and ornamentation—tangible evidence of caravan trade success. During David’s reign, Ishmaelite individuals held trusted positions: These notices reveal a movement from nomadic opposition to integration within Israel’s society, illustrating the kingdom’s centripetal pull upon surrounding peoples. Poetic and Prophetic Perspective Psalm 83:6 lists the Ishmaelites among a coalition seeking Israel’s destruction: “the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites.” Eschatologically, the psalmist petitions God to vindicate His covenant by defeating this alliance, reinforcing the enduring tension between the line of promise (Isaac) and that of Ishmael—yet ultimately underscoring divine sovereignty over all nations. Theological Themes 1. God’s sovereignty over human commerce and geopolitics: He employs Ishmaelite merchants to install Joseph in Egypt, safeguarding the covenant family. Practical Ministry Reflections • Marketplace ministry: The Ishmaelites exemplify the influence of trade networks; modern believers engaged in business can likewise become conduits for God’s purposes. Forms and Transliterations הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִֽי׃ הַיִּשְׁמְעֵלִ֑י הישמעאלי׃ הישמעאלים הישמעלי וְיִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים וישמעאלים יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים ישמעאלים לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים לישמעאלים haiyishmeeLi haiyishmeeLim hay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lî hay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm hayyišmə‘êlî hayyišmə‘êlîm laiyishmeeLim lay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm layyišmə‘êlîm veyishmeeLim wə·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm wəyišmə‘êlîm yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm yishmeeLim yišmə‘êlîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 37:25 HEB: וְהִנֵּה֙ אֹרְחַ֣ת יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים בָּאָ֖ה מִגִּלְעָ֑ד NAS: a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming KJV: and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came INT: behold A caravan of Ishmaelites was coming Gilead Genesis 37:27 Genesis 37:28 Genesis 39:1 Judges 8:24 1 Chronicles 2:17 1 Chronicles 27:30 Psalm 83:6 8 Occurrences |
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