What does Genesis 25:15 mean?
Genesis 25:13–15 lists the twelve sons of Ishmael, by birth order. Hagar was promised by God that Ishmael would father "twelve princes." Each of his children would become the head of their own powerful tribe (Genesis 17:20). Multiple cultures bearing the names of Ishmael's descendants went on to become major players in the history of the Middle East.This verse concludes the list with Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. Tema is mentioned in Job 6:19, Jeremiah 25:23, and Isaiah 21:14. The town of Tema, likely established by Tema's descendants, was located near an oasis and became an important spot on regional trade routes.
