Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

I
I
PROVISIONS FOR POSTERITY 2 3 : 1-2 f : 1 8
the blessings of the covenant, was acknowledged by God
as the son of Abraham by a distinct blessing (17:20), and
was thus elevated above the sons of Keturah” (ibid., 263).
It is significant that both sons shared in the service of
interment. “Funerals of parents are reconciliations of chil-
dren (3 5 :29) , and differences of contending religionists
are often softened at the side of a grave” (PCG, 314).
What a glorious setting of the sun on an ineffably glorious
pilgrimage of faith! After Abraham’s death, the divine
blessing was transferred to Isaac who returned to his abode
by Hagar’s well (cf. 17:20).
(4) The Line of Ishmael (vv. 12-18),
12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abra-
hain’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid,
bare unto Abraham: 13 and these are the names of the
sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their genera-
tioizs: the first-boriz of Ishmael, Nebaioth; and Kedar, a d
Adbeel, and Mibsam, 15 and Misbina, and Dumah, and
Massa, 1 5 Hadad, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, aizd Kedemah:
16 these are the sons of Isbwael, aizd these are their numes,
by their villages, and by their eizcainpmeizts; twelve princes
according to their nations. 17 And these are the years of
the life of Ishmael, a hundred aizd thirty aizd seven years:
and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered wnto
his people. 18 Aiid they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur
that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: he
abode over against all his brethren.
The usual procedure of the inspired historian is re-
peated here: the future of Abraham’s eldest son is traced
briefly before proceeding with the primiry theme-the
Messianic Line-as continued in the line of the Child of
Promise. The one name in this line which may be of
significance is Nebaioth, v. 13. “Nabajoth was the pro-
genitor of the Nabathaeans, who, about four centuries
483