Genesis 25:16

16 They were the ancestors of twelve tribes, and their names were given to their villages and camping places.

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 They were the ancestors of twelve tribes, and their names were given to their villages and camping places.

17 Ishmael was 137 years old when he died.

18 The descendants of Ishmael lived in the territory between Havilah and Shur, to the east of Egypt on the way to Assyria. They lived apart from the other descendants of Abraham.