Lexical Summary Nebayoth: Nebaioth Original Word: נְבָיוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nebaioth, Nebajoth Or Nbayoth {neb-aw-yoth'}; feminine plural from nuwb; fruitfulnesses; Nebajoth, a son of Ismael, and the country settled by him -- Nebaioth, Nebajoth. see HEBREW nuwb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nabat Definition oldest son of Ishmael, also his desc. NASB Translation Nebaioth (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְבָּיוֺת proper name, of a people (Nabataean נבטו = Nabataean and Nabataeans, EutNab 1.4 and often, compare נבט of Jewish tradition NöZMG xxiv. 1871, 124, נבט ᵑ7Isaiah 60:7 (on form of name, and on ט = ת compare LagBN 51 f.); in Assyrian Nabaitai, etc., SchrCOT Genesis 25:13; KGF 99 ff.. DlPar 296 f.); — as (eldest) son of Ishmael (brother of Kedar) Genesis 25:13; Genesis 28:9; Genesis 36:3 (all P), 1 Chronicles 1:29; people ("" Kedar) Isaiah 60:7, compare Nabataei + Cedrei PlinNH v. 11, 65; ᵐ5 Ναβαιωθ; Greek Ναβαταῖοι. — See further NöZMG xxiv. 1871, 122 f. EutNab p.78 GASmGeogr. 547-629 pass. Topical Lexicon Genealogical Foundations Nebaioth is introduced as the first-born son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29). As the eldest, he stands at the head of the twelve tribal chieftains promised to Ishmael (Genesis 17:20). His appearance in the canonical genealogies anchors the Ishmaelite lines firmly within the wider Abrahamic family tree, underlining that every branch, even those that flourish outside the promised land, exists by the sovereign design of God. Alliance with Esau and Edom Nebaioth’s name resurfaces through his sister Mahalath (also called Basemath), whom Esau marries after perceiving his parents’ displeasure with Canaanite unions (Genesis 28:9; Genesis 36:3). This marriage forges a blood-bond between the houses of Ishmael and Esau, two lines often dwelling on the margins of the chosen line yet destined to interact with it. The alliance testifies that the wider family of Abraham remains intricately connected, whether in cooperation or tension, throughout redemptive history. Desert Dynasty and Possible Nabataean Identity Post-patriarchal history places Nebaioth’s descendants among the Arabian steppe tribes, renowned for pastoral wealth and caravan trade. Classical sources trace the later Nabataeans—masters of Petra and the spice routes—to Nebaioth’s line, a plausible etymological and geographical connection. Whether or not the identification is exact, Scripture consistently depicts Nebaioth’s heritage as nomadic, prosperous, and influential across the desert corridors linking Egypt, Edom, and Mesopotamia. Prophetic Role in Isaiah 60:7 Isaiah casts Nebaioth—paired with his brother Kedar—into an eschatological vision of global worship: “All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on My altar, and I will adorn My glorious house.” (Isaiah 60:7) Here, the wealth of the desert peoples is pictured streaming to Zion. Nebaioth’s rams symbolize the submission of Gentile abundance to the Lord and the incorporation of once-distant tribes into covenant worship. The prophecy anticipates the inclusion of every nation in the kingdom of the Messiah, a theme fulfilled in the Gospel’s advance (Acts 1:8; Revelation 7:9). Theological and Ministerial Implications 1. Divine Faithfulness: Nebaioth embodies God’s promise that Ishmael would father twelve leaders (Genesis 17:20). The accuracy of that promise reinforces confidence in every word God has spoken. Practical Reflections for Contemporary Faith • Pray for and engage with peoples of the Middle East, many of whom trace cultural memory to ancient desert tribes; God’s heart is toward them. Nebaioth’s brief scriptural footprint broadens into a rich testimony: a firstborn son, a desert nation, and finally a prophetic sign of nations streaming into the light of Zion. Forms and Transliterations נְבָי֔וֹת נְבָי֖וֹת נְבָי֛וֹת נְבָיֹ֔ת נְבָיֽוֹת׃ נביות נביות׃ נבית nə·ḇā·yō·wṯ nə·ḇā·yōṯ nəḇāyōṯ nəḇāyōwṯ nevaYotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:13 HEB: בְּכֹ֤ר יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ נְבָיֹ֔ת וְקֵדָ֥ר וְאַדְבְּאֵ֖ל NAS: in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn KJV: of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, INT: the firstborn of Ishmael Nebaioth and Kedar and Adbeel Genesis 28:9 Genesis 36:3 1 Chronicles 1:29 Isaiah 60:7 5 Occurrences |
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