Genesis 25:16

16 All of them were Ishmael's sons. They were rulers of 12 tribes. They all lived in their own settlements and camps.

Genesis 25:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 25:16

These [are] the sons of Ishmael
The twelve before mentioned, ( Genesis 25:13-15 ) : these [are] their names, by their towns and by their castles;
their towns and their castles being called after their names, some of which we are able to trace at this distance, as the above notes show: twelve princes according to their nations;
these were princes, or heads of tribes, and there were twelve of them, and continued so, see ( Genesis 17:20 ) ; where is the prophecy, and here an accomplishment of it.

Genesis 25:16 In-Context

14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.

16 All of them were Ishmael's sons. They were rulers of 12 tribes. They all lived in their own settlements and camps.

17 Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he took his last breath and died. He joined the members of his family who had already died.

18 His children settled in the area between Havilah and Shur. It was near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. Ishmael's children weren't friendly toward any of the tribes that were related to them.