Genesis 25:18
New International Version
His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Ashur. And they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them.

New Living Translation
Ishmael’s descendants occupied the region from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt in the direction of Asshur. There they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives.

English Standard Version
They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled over against all his kinsmen.

Berean Standard Bible
Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
(They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.

New American Standard Bible
They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt going toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.

NASB 1995
They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.

NASB 1977
And they settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they dwelt from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in the face of all his brothers.

Amplified Bible
Ishmael’s sons (descendants) settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled opposite (east) of all his relatives.

Christian Standard Bible
And they settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt as you go toward Asshur. He stayed near all his relatives.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And they settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt as you go toward Asshur. He lived in opposition to all his brothers.

American Standard Version
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: he abode over against all his brethren.

English Revised Version
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: he abode in the presence of all his brethren.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His descendants lived as nomads from the region of Havilah to Shur, which is near Egypt, in the direction of Assyria. They all fought with each other.

Good News Translation
The descendants of Ishmael lived in the territory between Havilah and Shur, to the east of Egypt on the way to Assyria. They lived apart from the other descendants of Abraham.

International Standard Version
His descendants settled from Havilah to Shur (that's near Egypt), all the way to Assyria, in defiance of all of his relatives.

Majority Standard Bible
Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

NET Bible
His descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which runs next to Egypt all the way to Asshur. They settled away from all their relatives.

New Heart English Bible
They lived from Havilah to Shur, which is near Egypt, all the way to Asshur. He settled near all his kinsmen.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they dwelt from Havilah to Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest towards Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

World English Bible
They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they dwell from Havilah to Shur, which [is] before Egypt, in [your] going toward Asshur; in the presence of all his brothers has he fallen.

Young's Literal Translation
and they tabernacle from Havilah unto Shur, which is before Egypt, in thy going towards Asshur; in the presence of all his brethren hath he fallen.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will dwell from Havilah, even to Shur, which is upon the face of Egypt, in thy going to Assyria: and he fell before the face of all his brethren.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he dwelt from Hevila as far as Sur, which looketh towards Egypt, to them that go towards the Assyrians. He died in the presence of all his brethren.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now he had lived from Havilah as far as Shur, which overlooks Egypt as it approaches the Assyrians. He passed away in the sight of all his brothers.

New American Bible
The Ishmaelites ranged from Havilah, by Shur, which is on the border of Egypt, all the way to Asshur; and they pitched camp alongside their various kindred.

New Revised Standard Version
They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria; he settled down alongside of all his people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they dwelt from Havilah as far as Shud, which extends from the border of Egypt to the gateway of Assyria; he dwelt adjacent to the lands of all his brethren.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they dwelt from Khaweela and unto Shuud that is before Egypt, which is in the entrance of Assyria; on the borders of all his brothers he had dwelt.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Asshur: over against all his brethren he did settle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he dwelt from Evilat to Sur, which is opposite Egypt, until one comes to the Assyrians; he dwelt in the presence of all his brethren.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Descendants of Ishmael
17Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

Cross References
Genesis 16:12
He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

Exodus 15:22
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water.

1 Samuel 15:7
Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt.

1 Samuel 27:8
Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.)

1 Chronicles 1:29-31
These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, / Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

Jeremiah 25:23-24
Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair; / all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert;

Ezekiel 25:13
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword.

Isaiah 21:13-17
This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites. / Bring water for the thirsty, O dwellers of Tema; meet the refugees with food. / For they flee from the sword—the sword that is drawn—from the bow that is bent, and from the stress of battle. ...

Jeremiah 49:28-33
Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. ...

Deuteronomy 2:4-5
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.

Judges 6:3
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,

1 Kings 11:14-18
Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. / Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom. ...

Psalm 83:6
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

Isaiah 60:7
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.

Ezekiel 27:21
Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, trading in lambs, rams, and goats.


Treasury of Scripture

And they dwelled from Havilah to Shur, that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brothers.

Havilah.

Genesis 2:11
The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

Genesis 10:7,29
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan…

Genesis 20:1
And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

as thou.

Genesis 13:10
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

toward.

2 Kings 23:29
In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.

Isaiah 19:23,24
In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians…

died.

Genesis 14:10
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

Psalm 78:64
Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

in the.

Genesis 16:12
And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

Jump to Previous
Asshur Assyria Country Defiance Died Direction Dwelt East Egypt Face Fallen Goes Goest Lived Opposite Presence Relatives Settle Settled Shur Tabernacle Towards
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Asshur Assyria Country Defiance Died Direction Dwelt East Egypt Face Fallen Goes Goest Lived Opposite Presence Relatives Settle Settled Shur Tabernacle Towards
Genesis 25
1. The sons of Abraham by Keturah.
5. The division of his goods.
7. His age, death, and burial.
11. God blesses Isaac.
12. The generations of Ishmael.
17. His age and death.
19. Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.
22. The children strive in her womb.
24. The birth of Esau and Jacob.
27. Their different characters and pursuits.
29. Esau sells his birthright.














His descendants settled
The phrase "His descendants settled" refers to the lineage of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. The Hebrew root for "settled" is "שָׁכַן" (shakan), which means to dwell or reside. This indicates a sense of permanence and establishment. Ishmael's descendants, though not the chosen line through which God's covenant would be fulfilled, were still given a place and a role in the unfolding biblical narrative. This settlement signifies God's faithfulness to His promise to Abraham that Ishmael would also become a great nation (Genesis 17:20).

from Havilah to Shur
"Havilah" and "Shur" are geographical markers that define the extent of the territory inhabited by Ishmael's descendants. Havilah is often associated with regions rich in resources, as mentioned in Genesis 2:11, and is thought to be located in the Arabian Peninsula. Shur is a desert region east of Egypt, indicating a vast area of settlement. The mention of these locations underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to make Ishmael's descendants numerous and prosperous, spreading across a significant expanse of land.

which is opposite Egypt
This phrase situates the territory of Ishmael's descendants in relation to Egypt, a major power in the ancient world. The Hebrew word "נֹכַח" (nokach) means "in front of" or "opposite," suggesting proximity and potential interaction or conflict. Egypt's prominence in biblical history as a place of refuge, bondage, and later, a symbol of worldly power, provides a backdrop for understanding the geopolitical dynamics at play. Ishmael's descendants living "opposite Egypt" highlights their strategic position and potential influence in the region.

as you go toward Asshur
"Asshur" refers to the region associated with the Assyrian Empire, located in what is now northern Iraq. The phrase "as you go toward Asshur" indicates a direction or path, suggesting that Ishmael's descendants occupied a corridor of land that was significant for trade and travel. This positioning would have implications for their interactions with surrounding nations and their role in the broader narrative of the ancient Near East.

And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers
The phrase "lived in hostility" is derived from the Hebrew "נָפַל" (naphal), meaning to fall or to be in conflict. This reflects the fulfillment of the prophecy given to Hagar in Genesis 16:12, where it was foretold that Ishmael would live in conflict with his relatives. This hostility can be seen as both a literal and spiritual struggle, representing the ongoing tension between the descendants of Ishmael and those of Isaac. From a conservative Christian perspective, this enmity is often viewed as a foreshadowing of the spiritual battles that would unfold throughout biblical history, emphasizing the need for reconciliation and peace through Christ.

(18) Havilah was far to the south, on the Persian Gulf. (See Genesis 10:29.)

Shur.--This was their western limit towards Egypt. (See Genesis 16:7.) In 1Samuel 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 fell--that 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 Genesis 16:12.) . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[Ishmael’s descendants] settled
וַיִּשְׁכְּנ֨וּ (way·yiš·kə·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

from Havilah
מֵֽחֲוִילָ֜ה (mê·ḥă·wî·lāh)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2341: Havilah -- a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also territories of uncertain location

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Shur,
שׁ֗וּר (šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7793: Shur -- a desert region Southwest of Palestine on eastern border of Egypt

which
אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is near
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the border
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of Egypt
מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

as you go
בֹּאֲכָ֖ה (bō·’ă·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

toward Asshur.
אַשּׁ֑וּרָה (’aš·šū·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

And they lived
נָפָֽל׃ (nā·p̄āl)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

in hostility
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

toward
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their brothers.
אֶחָ֖יו (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )


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OT Law: Genesis 25:18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 25:17
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