And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: [and] he died in the presence of all his brethren.
Verse 18. They dwelt from Havilah unto Shur] The descendants of Ishmael possessed all that country which extends from east to west, from Havilah on the Euphrates, near its junction with the Tigris, to the desert of Shur eastward of Egypt; and which extends along the isthmus of Suez, which separates the Red Sea from the Mediterranean.
As thou goest toward Assyria] “These words,” says Calmet, “may refer either to Egypt, to Shur, or to Havilah. The desert of Shur is on the road from Egypt to Assyria in traversing Arabia Petraea, and in passing by the country of Havilah. I know not,” adds he, “whether Ashshurah in the text may not mark out rather the Asshurim descended from Keturah, than the Assyrians, who were the descendants of Asshur the son of Shem.”
He died in the presence of all his brethren] The original will not well bear this translation. In Ge 25:17 it is said, He gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered to his people. Then follows the account of the district occupied by the Ishmaelites, at the conclusion of which it is added al peney col echaiv naphal, “IT (the lot or district) FELL (or was divided to him) in the presence of all his brethren:” and this was exactly agreeable to the promise of God, Ge 16:12, He shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren; and to show that this promise had been strictly fulfilled, it is here remarked that his lot or inheritance was assigned him by Divine Providence, contiguous to that of the other branches of the family. The same word, naphal, is used Jos 23:4, for to divide by lot.
On the subject of writing the same proper name variously in our common Bibles, the following observations and tables will not be unacceptable to the reader.
“Men who have read their Bible with care,” says Dr. Kennicott, “must have remarked that the name of the same person is often expressed differently in different places. Indeed the variation is sometimes so great that we can scarcely persuade ourselves that one and the same person is really meant. A uniform expression of proper names is diligently attended to in other books: perhaps in every other book, except the Old Testament. But here we find strange variety in the expression, and consequently great confusion: and indeed there is scarcely any one general source of error which calls for more careful correction than the same proper names now wrongly expressed. I shall add here, from the Pentateuch, some proper names which are strangely varied: first, twenty-three names expressed differently in the Hebrew text itself, and seventeen of them in our English translation; and then thirty-one names expressed uniformly in the Hebrew yet differently in the English.
| SAME NAMES DIFFERING IN THE HEBREW | ||||
| 1 | Ge 4:18 | Mehujael | Mehijael | in the same verse. |
| 2 | Ge 10:3 | Riphath | Diphath | 1Ch 1:6 |
| 3 | Ge 10:4 | Tarshish | Tarshishah | 1Ch 1:7 |
| 4 | Ge 10:4 | Dodanim | Rodanim | 1Ch 1:7 |
| 5 | Ge 10:23 | Mash | Meshech | 1Ch 1:17 |
| 6 | Ge 10:28 | Obal | Ebal | 1Ch 1:22 |
| 7 | Ge 32:30-31 | Peniel | Penuel | in the next verse. |
| 8 | Ge 36:11 | Zepho | Zephi | 1Ch 1:36 |
| 9 | Ge 36:23 | Shepho | Shephi | 1Ch 1:40 |
| 10 | Ge 36:39 | Pau | Pai | 1Ch 1:50 |
| 11 | Ge 36:40 | Alvah | Aliah | 1Ch 1:51 |
| 12 | Ge 46:10 | Jemuel | Nemuel | Nu 26:12 |
| 13 | Ge 46:10 | Jachin | Jarib | 1Ch 4:24 |
| 14 | Ge 46:10 | Zohar | Zerah | Nu 26:13, 1Ch 4:24 |
| 15 | Ge 46:11 | Gershon | Gershom | 1Ch 4:1, 1Ch 1:16 |
| 16 | Ge 46:13 | Job | Jashub | Nu 26:24 |
| 17 | Ge 46:16 | Ezbon | Ozni | Nu 26:16 |
| 18 | Ge 46:21 | Huppim | Huram | 1Ch 8:5 |
| 19 | Ge 46:21 | Ard | Addar | 1Ch 8:3 |
| 20 | Ge 46:23 | Hushim | Shuham | Nu 26:42 |
| 21 | Ex 4:18 | Jether | Jethro | in the same verse. |
| 22 | Nu 1:14 | Deuel | Reuel | Nu 2:14 |
| 23 | De 32:44 | Hoshea | Joshua | De 34:9 |
| NAMES SAME IN HEBREW YET DIFFERENT IN ENGLISH | ||||
| 1 | Ge 5:3 | Seth | Sheth | 1Ch 1:1 |
| 2 | Ge 5:6 | Enos | Enosh | 1Ch 1:1 |
| 3 | Ge 5:9 | Cainan | Renan | 1Ch 1:2 |
| 4 | Ge 5:15 | Jared | Jered | 1Ch 1:2 |
| 5 | Ge 5:18 | Enoch | Henoch | 1Ch 1:3 |
| 6 | Ge 5:21 | Methuselah | Mathushelah | 1Ch 1:3 |
| 7 | Ge 10:6 | Phut | Put | 1Ch 1:8 |
| 8 | Ge 10:14 | Philistim | The Philistines | 1Ch 1:12 |
| 9 | Ge 10:14 | Caphtorim | Caphthorim | 1Ch 1:12 |
| 10 | Ge 10:16 | Emorite | Amorites | Ge 15:16, Ge 15:21 |
| 11 | Ge 10:16 | Girgasite | Girgashites | Ge 15:21 |
| 12 | Ge 10:19, Jer 47:5 | Gaza | Azzah | De 2:23, Jer 25:20 |
| 13 | Ge 10:22 | Ashur | Asshur | 1Ch 1:17 |
| 14 | Ge 10:24 | Salah | Shelah | 1Ch 1:18 |
| 15 | Ge 14:2, Ge 14:8 | Zeboiim | Zeboim | De 29:23 |
| 16 | Ge 14:5, Ge 15:20 | Rephairns | Giants | De 2:20, De 3:11 |
| 17 | Ge 25:15 | Naphish | Nephish | 1Ch 5:19 |
| 18 | Ge 29:6 | Rachel | Rahel | Jer 31:15 |
| 19 | Ge 36:34 | Temani | The Temanites | 1Ch 1:45 |
| 20 | Ge 36:37 | Saul | Shaul | 1Ch 1:48 |
| 21 | Ge 37:25, Ge 37:28 | Ishmeelites | Ishmaelites | Jdg 8:24 |
| 22 | Ex 1:11 | Raamses | Rameses | Ex 12:37 |
| 23 | Ex 6:18 | Izhar | Izehar | Nu 3:19 |
| 24 | Ex 6:19 | Mahali | Mahli | 1Ch 6:19 |
| 25 | Le 18:21 | Molech | Moloch | Am 5:26 |
| 26 | Nu 13:8, Nu 13:16 | Oshea | Hoshea | De 32:44 |
| 27 | Nu 13:16 | Jehoshua | Joshua | Nu 14:6 |
| 28 | Nu 21:12 | Zared | Zered | De 2:13 |
| 29 | Nu 32:3 | Jazer | Jaazar | Nu 32:13 |
| 30 | Nu 33:31 | Bene-Jaakan | Children of Jaakan | De 10:6 |
| 31 | De 3:17 | Ashdoth-pisgah | Springs of Pisgah | De 4:49 |
“Nothing can be more clear than that these fifty-four proper names (at least the far greater part of them) should be expressed with the very same letters, in the places where they are now different. In the second list, instances 6, 10, and 13, have been corrected and expressed uniformly in the English Bible printed at Oxford in 1769. And surely the same justice in the translation should be done to the rest of these proper names, and to all others through the Bible; at least, where the original words are now properly the same. Who would not wonder at seeing the same persons named both Simon and Shimon, Richard and Ricard? And can we then admit here both Seth and Sheth, Rachel and Rahel? Again: whoever could admit (as above) both Gaza and Azzak, with Rameses and Raamses, should not object to London and Ondon, with Amsterdam and Amstradam. In short, in a history far more interesting than any other, the names of persons and places should be distinguished accurately, and defined with exact uniformity. And no true critic will think lightly of this advice of Origen, Contemnenda non est accurata circa NOMINA diligentia ei, qui volurit probe intelligere sanctas literas? No person who desires thoroughly to understand the sacred writings, should undervalue a scrupulous attention to the proper names.”-Kennicott’s Remarks.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria, i.e. on that part or side of Egypt which leads to Assyria.
He died in the presence of all his brethren; his brethren surviving him, and being his neighbours, and therefore as they had conversation with him in the time of his life, so now they did him honour at his death. But this translation and interpretation may seem improbable,
1. Because his death was related, Gen 25:17, and would not be so presently repeated.
2. Because the foregoing words in this verse speak not of his death, but of his dwelling, to which these words do very well agree. For what we translated
and he died, is commonly rendered and he fell, or it fell, and is most commonly used concerning a lot whereby mens portions are designed and divided, as Lev 16:9,10; Num 33:54; Jos 16:1; and so the sense may be, it fell, i.e. that country fell to him or his; or he lay, or was stretched out, or posted himself, as the Hebrew word is used, Jdg 7:12, i.e. he dwelt
in the presence of all his brethren; and so indeed his country lay between the children of Keturah on the east, and the children of Isaac and Israel on the west.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. he diedrather, “it[their lot] fell” in the presence of his brethren (compare Ge16:12).
Ge25:19-34. HISTORY OFISAAC.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur,…. That is, the posterity of Ishmael, whose country reached from one place to the other; not from India to Chaluza, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem; but the extent is that vast desert of Arabia, which eastward was called the wilderness of Havilah, and westward the wilderness of Shur; so that they inhabited it from east to west:
that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest to Assyria; which last place was over against Egypt, and bordered on that part where lies the way to the land of Assyria:
[and] he died in the presence of all his brethren; they being present when he died, or in peace with them, in all prosperity along with them: but since his death is spoken of before, and here the situation of his posterity, the words may be read, “it fell y in the presence of his brethren”; his lot, or the habitation of his posterity fell by lot between his brethren the Egyptians on one side of him, and the Israelites on the other; or between the sons of Keturah on the east, and the posterity of Isaac on the west.
y “cecidit habitatio ipsi”, Schmidt; “cecidit sors ejus”, Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Ben Gersom, and Ben Melech.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
18. He died in the presence of all his brethren (25) The major part of commentators understand this of his death; as if Moses had said that the life of Ishmael was shorter than that of his brethren, who long survived him: but because the word נפל ( naphal) is applied to a violent death, and Moses testifies that Ishmael died a natural death, this exposition cannot be approved. The Chaldean Paraphrast supposes the word “ lot ” to be understood, and elicits this sense, that the lot fell to him, so as to assign him a habitation not far from his brethren. Although I do not greatly differ in this matter, I yet think that the words are not to be thus distorted. (26) The word נפל ( naphal) sometimes signifies to lie down, or to rest, and also to dwell. The simple assertion therefore of Moses is, that a habitation was given to Ishmael opposite his brethren, so that he should indeed be a neighbor to them, and yet should have his distinct boundaries: (27) for I do not doubt that he referred to the oracle contained in the sixteenth chapter (Gen 16:1) where, among other things, the angel said to his mother Hagar, He shall remain, or pitch his tents in the presence of his brethren. Why does he rather speak thus of Ishmael than of the others, except for this reason, that whereas they migrated towards the eastern region, Ishmael, although the head of a nation, separated from the sons of Abraham, yet retained his dwelling in their neighborhood? Meanwhile the intention of God is also to be observed, namely, that Ishmael, though living near his brethren, was yet placed apart in an abode of his own, that he might not become mingled with them, but might dwell in their presence, or opposite to them. Moreover, it is sufficiently obvious that the prediction is not to be restricted personally to Ishmael.
(25) “ Coram omnibus fratribus suis habitavit.” He dwelt in the presence of all his brethren.
(26) This is the interpretation of Vatablus, favored by Professor Bush, who says, “As Ishmael’s death has already been mentioned, and as the term ‘fall’ is seldom used in the Scriptures in reference to ‘dying,’ except in cases of sudden and violent death, as when one ‘falls’ in battle, the probability is, that it here signifies that his territory or possessions ‘fell’ to him in the presence of his brethren, or immediately contiguous to their borders.” — Bush.
(27) Calvin’s interpretation, though opposed to the Vulgate and to our own version, is supported by the Septuagint, the Targum Onkelos, the Syriac, and Arabic versions. See Walton’s Polyglott. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(18) Havilah was far to the south, on the Persian Gulf. (See Gen. 10:29.)
Shur.This was their western limit towards Egypt. (See Gen. 16:7.) In 1Sa. 15:7 this same region is assigned to the Amalekites.
As thou goest toward Assyria.This does not mean that Shur was on the route toward Assyria, but gives the eastern limit of the country inhabited by the descendants of Ishmael.
He died.But the Hebrew is, he fellthat is, his lot fell; he settled there.
In the presence of.This means to the east of all his brethren. Just as Assyria was regarded as lying to the north of Palestine, because on starting the traveller journeyed in that direction, so Arabia was considered to be on the east, for a similar reason. (But see Note on Gen. 16:12.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. From Havilah unto Shur Or, as we might say, from the Arabian Gulf and the Euphrates to the border of Egypt and the Red Sea . On Havilah see Gen 10:7; Gen 10:29; and on Shur see on Gen 16:7; Gen 20:1, and Exo 15:22.
As thou goest toward Assyria One journeying most directly from Egypt to Assyria would pass through this broad Ishmaelite territory .
Died Rather, he fell, or threw himself, . This word is here used somewhat in the sense of the American word squat; he threw himself down upon, or settled in this region, between Havilah and Shur . The word is rendered lay along in Jdg 7:12, where it is said the Midianites and Amalekites and Bene-Kedem fell with their tents and cattle in the valley . That is, they dropped down, flung themselves down, intending to stay . Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Gen 16:12.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 25:18. He died in the presence In the Hebrew it is, he, or it fell: some therefore think, that it refers to the lot or inheritance of Ishmael: and his lot fell, or lay in the presence or midst of all his brethren. The LXX and Onkelos render it, he dwelt, agreeably to what is foretold, ch. Gen 16:12. to which we refer. I humbly believe the translation last mentioned is the best. Houbigant very judiciously observes, that the plural word rendered they dwelt, at the beginning of the verse, should be read in the singular, he dwelt, as the discourse is only concerning Ishmael: the Seventy have it in the singular. Thus the whole is clear, and the prophecies exactly fulfilled: Gen 25:17. Ishmael died; and when living, he dwelt from Havilah, &c. In the last clause the “and” is redundant, and is not in the Hebrew, he dwelt in the presence of all his brethren.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 25:18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: [and] he died in the presence of all his brethren.
Ver. 18. And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur. ] A large tract and territory; but nothing so large as his posterity the Saracens’, called more rightly Hagarenes, Psa 83:6 proved to be; whose name and empire notwithstanding is now swallowed up in the greatness of the Turkish empire; which laboureth with nothing more, than with the weightiness of itself. a
And he died.
a Turk. Hist.
died = had inheritance. Heb, naphal, to fall, esp. as a lot, giving inheritance (Jdg 18:1. 1Ch 1:20; 1Ch 26:14. 2Ch 15:9. Psa 16:6 (compare Jos 23:4. Hebrew caused the lot to fall). Hence, to dwell with, as in Pro 1:14. Compare Jdg 7:12, to encamp, lying along the ground. Ishmael was to dwell in the presence (Hebrew “on the face”) of his brethren, i.e. mixed up with them (Gen 16:12). See Gen 37:25, Gen 37:28, Gen 37:36; Gen 39:1, and compare Jdg 8:24. Midian, being his half-brother (Gen 15:11, Gen 15:12). Naphal never rendered “die” elsewhere.
Havilah: Gen 2:11, Gen 10:7, Gen 10:29, Gen 20:1, Gen 21:14, Gen 21:21
as thou: Gen 13:10
toward: 2Ki 23:29, Isa 19:23, Isa 19:24
died: Heb. fell, Gen 14:10, Psa 78:64
in the: Gen 16:12
Reciprocal: Gen 2:14 – toward the east of Gen 16:7 – the fountain Exo 15:22 – wilderness of Shur 1Sa 15:7 – Havilah 1Sa 27:9 – left neither 1Ch 1:23 – Havilah Eze 23:23 – the Assyrians
25:18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: [and] he died {g} in the presence of all his brethren.
(g) He means that his lot fell to dwell among his brethren as the angel promised.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes