ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

Ishmael, “twelve princes” and a great nation: Kedar, Nebaioth, Tema (Genesis 17:20; 25:13-16)

Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, artist’s impression by Gustave Doré (1866 Bible): the scene in which the promise of “a great nation” is repeated (Gen 21:18).
Artist’s impression Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, artist’s impression by Gustave Doré (1866 Bible): the scene in which the promise of “a great nation” is repeated (Gen 21:18). — Gustave Doré, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

○ Written after the events, according to historians; tradition dates it before

Written c. 1406 BC according to tradition; 550–450 BC according to historians. Event: 745–631 BC.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. In the book of Genesis, attributed to Moses by tradition and dated to the 6th-5th centuries BC by historians, God promises Abraham that his son Ishmael will have twelve princes as descendants and will become a great nation. The book then gives their names, including Nebaioth, Kedar and Tema.

What happened. In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, inscriptions of the kings of Assyria name the “land of Qedar”, the Nabayateans, Tema, Masʾa and the Idibaʾilu tribe. Several “sons of Ishmael” therefore correspond to real Arab tribes of northern Arabia.

What is still debated. according to historians, this passage was written after these inscriptions and describes tribes the author already knew, rather than announcing them.

What would be striking if the text came first

The list is accurate: Assyrian enemies knew these tribes, where Genesis places them. Its value as a prediction depends on its date, and historians place these chapters in the 6th century BC or later, so after these annals.

Main objection (in French for now)

C’est une liste ethnographique, pas une prédiction : la critique attribue Gn 17 et 25:12-16 à l’écrit sacerdotal (VIe–Ve s.), donc après les attestations assyriennes. Le rédacteur décrit des tribus qu’il connaît.

The text (World English Bible)

As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

Gen 17:20

These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations.

Gen 25:13-16

Sources