יִשְׁמְעֵאלִי (yish.ma.e.li)
yish.ma.e.li
Ishmaelite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The noun yishmaeli refers to a member of the Ishmaelite people, descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. The name itself means "God hears," reflecting the angel’s promise to Hagar that God would see her affliction (Genesis 16:11). In the biblical narrative, these figures are often portrayed as nomadic traders or warriors moving through the desert regions surrounding Canaan.
Though Ishmael was Abraham’s firstborn, he is distinct from Isaac, the child of the promise. The sources note that yishmaeli appears in genealogies listing Ishmael’s twelve sons, such as Nebaioth and Kedar, establishing a clear tribal identity. This word helps distinguish these Arabian groups from other neighboring peoples like the Midianites or Egyptians, highlighting their specific lineage and cultural context in the ancient Near East.
Translators typically render yishmaeli as "Ishmaelite" to preserve this ethnic distinction. The term carries historical weight, marking a branch of Abraham’s family that settled outside the promised land yet remained connected to its patriarchal roots. Its usage underscores the complex web of relationships and migrations that characterized the early biblical world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term 'Ishmaelite' identifies a specific people group descended from Abraham’s son Ishmael. In the ancient Near East, these were often nomadic traders moving through desert regions, carrying valuable goods like spices and myrrh. Their presence in biblical stories highlights the complex social and economic networks of that time, showing how different tribes interacted with one another.
For believers today, this word reminds us that God’s plan extends beyond a single family line. Although Ishmael was distinct from Isaac, he was still part of Abraham’s lineage. This shows that God’s care reaches people across various cultures and backgrounds, even those living outside the immediate promised land.
Understanding these historical details helps us see the Bible as a record of real human lives. It encourages us to recognize the shared heritage of many peoples and to approach others with respect, knowing that every individual has a place in God’s broader story of redemption and connection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to the/ Ishmaelites2×
- the/ Ishmaelite2×
- the/ Ishmaelites1×
- [were] Ishmaelites1×
- Ishmaelites1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/יִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים1×
- לַ/יִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים1×
- יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים1×
- יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים1×
- הַ/יִּשְׁמְעֵלִ֑י1×
- הַ/יִּשְׁמְעֵאלִֽי\׃1×
- הַ/יִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 37:28
Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The merchants brought Joseph into Egypt.
This verse is crucial because it shows the Ishmaelites as the immediate buyers of Joseph, linking his suffering directly to their role as merchants in the ancient trade routes.
-
Judges 8:24
Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
Here the term explains the source of Gideon’s plunder, identifying the Midianites or their allies specifically as Ishmaelites due to their possession of golden earrings.
-
I Chronicles 2:17
Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
This genealogical entry shows an Ishmaelite man becoming part of Judah’s family line through marriage, illustrating the integration of different tribal groups over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word 'Ishmaelite' mean?
How are Ishmaelites different from Midianites?
Why do Ishmaelites appear in the story of Joseph?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 3 books)
Genesis 4 verses
They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from…
Genesis 37:27Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh.” His…
Genesis 37:28Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the…
Genesis 39:1Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him…