Bible Strands
Genesis 25:16
These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the finalized list of Ishmael’s twelve sons and their territorial settlements immediately after enumerating their individual names. This genealogical summary appears in the patriarchal narrative as the text shifts from listing descendants to recording Ishmael’s lifespan and death.
The words — The demonstrative אֵ֣לֶּה (‘E.leh) appears twice to introduce and conclude the list, literally translating to “these.” The prepositional phrase בְּ/חַצְרֵי/הֶ֖ם (be./chatz.rei./Hem) means “by their villages,” specifying the geographic markers for each tribal group.
The thread — The text explicitly notes the fulfillment of the multiplication promise made in Genesis 17:20 through the enumeration of twelve tribal princes. This structural method of documenting tribal organization by settlements and names recurs in the patriarchal genealogies that follow.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to acknowledge the historical and territorial reality of Ishmael’s lineage as a direct outworking of an earlier divine declaration. It asks for recognition that biblical genealogies function as records of fulfilled promises rather than abstract name lists.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.
Cross-references
- Genesis 17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
- Genesis 17:23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.