Genesis 25:16

16 These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were the names by castles, and towns of them, (named after) [the] twelve princes of their lineages. (These were Ishmael's sons, and they were also the names of their fortresses, and towns, named after the twelve princes of their tribes.)

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 and Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

15 and Hadar, and Tema, and Jetur, and Naphish, and Kedemah.

16 These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were the names by castles, and towns of them, (named after) [the] twelve princes of their lineages. (These were Ishmael's sons, and they were also the names of their fortresses, and towns, named after the twelve princes of their tribes.)

17 And the years of [the] life of Ishmael were made an hundred and seven and thirty (years), and (then) he failed, and died, and was put to his people (and joined his ancestors).

18 Forsooth he inhabited from Havilah till to Shur, that beholdeth Egypt, as men entereth into [the] Assyrians; (and) he died before all his brethren. (And Ishmael's people dwelled from Havilah unto Shur, which is east of Egypt, on the way to Assyria; and he died in the presence of all his kinsmen.)