Genesis 25:15

Genesis 25:15, in plain English

The list continues with Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah—the remaining sons of Ishmael, completing the count of twelve.

Why it's here

Tema appears in later biblical texts and in ancient inscriptions—it was a real Arabian oasis and trading post. These weren't mythical names; they were genuine tribal founders. The specificity of the genealogy adds credibility to the whole account.

Who's speaking

The Genesis narrator

Where it sits in the story

By carefully listing all twelve sons, the narrator is underlining that God kept His word to Ishmael completely. Even though Ishmael's line doesn't carry the covenant, it carries God's blessing and grows into a significant nation.

The scholarly reading

The genealogy concludes its enumeration of Ishmael's sons with Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

Language and setting

Tema (תֵימָא, tēmā') appears in later inscriptional evidence as a significant Nabataean settlement, further confirming the genealogy's historical rootedness in attested Arabian geography. The complete enumeration now reaches twelve—a number reflecting tribal completeness and implicitly paralleling Israel's own twelve-tribe structure. The formulaic conclusion signals transition to the aggregate assessment that follows.

Voice

The genealogical compiler

Significance

The full list of twelve sons establishes Ishmael's legitimate tribal organization, granting him a genealogical dignity that does not contradict his covenantal subordination—a nuanced biblical presentation that later Islamic tradition would develop in directions the Hebrew text does not explicitly authorize.

13These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

14Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

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

16These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes.

17Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.

Read all of Genesis 25 — Abraham dies. Isaac and Rebekah have twins who struggle before they're even born. The younger will carry the promise — and buy it for a bowl of stew.