12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael , Abraham's son , whom Hagar the Egyptian , Sarah's maid , bore to Abraham ; 13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael , by their names , in the order of their birth : Nebaioth , the firstborn of Ishmael , and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam 14 and Mishma and Dumah and Massa , 15 Hadad and Tema , Jetur , Naphish and Kedemah . 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names , by their villages , and by their camps ; twelve e princes according to their tribes . 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael , one hundred and thirty-seven e years ; and he breathed his last and died , and was gathered to his people .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 25:12-17
Commentary on Genesis 25:11-18
(Read Genesis 25:11-18)
Ishmael had twelve sons, whose families became distinct tribes. They peopled a very large country that lay between Egypt and Assyria, called Arabia. The number and strength of this family were the fruit of the promise, made to Hagar and to Abraham, concerning Ishmael.