Arabian living at the time of the Patriarchs
Nebaioth, the firstborn son of Ishmael, was the ancestor of a tribe known for their flocks and mentioned in Isaiah's prophecy of future blessing.
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Also known as Nebajoth
Nebaioth was the firstborn son of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar (Gen.25.13; 1Ch.1.29). As a descendant of Abraham through Ishmael, Nebaioth became the ancestor of a nomadic tribe that bore his name.
The Nebaioth tribe was known for their large flocks of sheep and goats, which were highly prized for their wool and hair. In Isa.60.7, the prophet foretells a time of future blessing and restoration for Israel, mentioning that the flocks of Nebaioth will be gathered to Jerusalem and offered on the altar, finding acceptance with God.
Nebaioth is also mentioned in connection with Esau, the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Israel (or 'Jacob'). According to Gen.28.9 and Gen.36.3, Esau married Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth, in addition to his other wives. This marriage alliance may have strengthened the ties between the Edomites (descendants of Esau) and the Ishmaelite tribes.
As a nomadic tribe, the descendants of Nebaioth likely inhabited the regions of northern Arabia and the Negev desert. They were part of the larger group of Ishmaelite tribes that played a significant role in the trade and commerce of the ancient Near East.
While little is known about Nebaioth as an individual, his legacy as the ancestor of a prominent tribe reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants through Ishmael would also become great nations (Gen.17.20). The inclusion of the Nebaioth tribe in Isaiah's prophecy suggests that they will have a place in God's future plans for Israel and the nations.
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Height. (1.) Ishmael’s eldest son (Gen. 25:13), and the prince of an Israelitish tribe (16). He had a sister, Mahalath, who was one of Esau’s wives (Gen. 28:9; 36:3). (2.) The name of the Ishmaelite tribe descended from the above (Gen. 25:13, 18). The “rams of Nebaioth” (Isa. 60:7) are the gifts which these wandering tribes of the desert would consecrate to God.
words; prophecies; buds
NEBA'IOTH, Isa 60:7, or NEBA'JOTH (heights). Gen 25:13, the first-born, 1 Chr 1:29, son of Ishmael, whose descendants are supposed to have settled in Arabia, and to have been the Nabatheans of Greek and Roman history. They were a pastoral people, Isa 60:7. whence the beautiful figure of the prophet above cited respecting the gathering of the Gentile nations to the sceptre of the Messiah. Petra was their chief city.
NEBA'IOTH, Isa 60:7, or NEBA'JOTH (heights). Gen 25:13, the first-born, 1 Chr 1:29, son of Ishmael, whose descendants are supposed to have settled in Arabia, and to have been the Nabatheans of Greek and Roman history. They were a pastoral people, Isa 60:7. whence the beautiful figure of the prophet above cited respecting the gathering of the Gentile nations to the sceptre of the Messiah. Petra was their chief city.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
5 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H5032
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abrahamʼs son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.
and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.