The Ishmaelites, also referred to as the Hagarenes, are a group of people descended from Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. The narrative of Ishmael's birth and the subsequent promise of God concerning his descendants is found in the Book of Genesis. According to Genesis 16:10-12 , the Angel of the Lord prophesied to Hagar: "I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count... 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."

The Ishmaelites are traditionally considered to be the ancestors of various Arab tribes. Genesis 25:12-18 provides a genealogical account of Ishmael's descendants, listing twelve sons who became tribal leaders. These tribes settled in the region stretching from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as one goes toward Assyria.

In the biblical narrative, the Ishmaelites are often associated with trade and commerce. In Genesis 37:25-28 , they are depicted as a caravan of traders traveling from Gilead to Egypt, carrying spices, balm, and myrrh. It was to these Ishmaelite traders that Joseph's brothers sold him, leading to his eventual rise to power in Egypt.

The term "Hagarenes" is used interchangeably with Ishmaelites in some biblical texts, highlighting their descent from Hagar. Psalm 83:6 mentions the Hagarenes in a list of nations conspiring against Israel: "the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites."

Throughout the Old Testament, the Ishmaelites are depicted as both distant relatives and adversaries of the Israelites. Their interactions with the Israelites are marked by both kinship ties and conflict, reflecting the complex relationships between the descendants of Abraham.

The legacy of the Ishmaelites is significant in biblical history, as they represent the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Their account is a testament to the intricate tapestry of relationships and events that shape the biblical narrative.Psalm 83:6
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm LXXXIII.
... "Tyre" in Hebrew is called Sor; which ... are thus enumerated in the Psalms: "The
tabernacles of the Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagarenes, Gebal, and ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

Jehoshaphat
... 22:8. Jehoshaphat was firm in his request that the man of God be called; and upon ...
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; Of Moab, and the Hagarenes; ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... Hagarenes, [472]398. ... Ishmaelites, [587]398; type of worldly seeking Christians,
[588]590 ... Israel, "seeing God," [589]356; Christians called by this name, [590]550 ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar
... Ye Hagarenes! ... The Ishmaelites are generally the strongest, and they can give us
desperate ... call them "baits for popularity." (See the so-called FREEMAN Newspaper ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the allegories of sarah and.htm

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