The Hagrites, also known as Hagarites, are a group mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the descendants of Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Hagar bore Abraham's first son, Ishmael, and the Hagrites are traditionally considered to be Ishmael's descendants. The name "Hagrite" is derived from Hagar, indicating a lineage or tribal affiliation with her.

Biblical References

The Hagrites are mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of conflicts and interactions with the Israelites. One of the primary references is found in 1 Chronicles 5:10, where the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh waged war against the Hagrites during the reign of Saul. The passage states: "During the days of Saul, they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands. They occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the entire region east of Gilead."

Another significant mention is in 1 Chronicles 5:19-20, which describes a battle where the Israelite tribes called upon God for help and were victorious over the Hagrites: "They waged war against the Hagrites, as well as Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to Him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him."

The Hagrites are also listed among the enemies of Israel in Psalm 83:6, where they are included in a coalition of nations conspiring against God's people: "the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites."

Historical and Cultural Context

The Hagrites were likely a nomadic or semi-nomadic people, living in the regions east of the Jordan River. Their mention alongside other tribes such as Jetur and Naphish suggests they were part of a larger confederation of tribes descended from Ishmael. The biblical narrative portrays them as adversaries of Israel, often engaged in territorial disputes and warfare.

The Hagrites' connection to Hagar and Ishmael places them within the broader context of the Abrahamic family narrative, highlighting the complex relationships and tensions between the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and those through Ishmael. This familial backdrop underscores the historical and theological themes of covenant, promise, and divine intervention that run throughout the biblical text.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the Hagrites serve as a reminder of the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding his descendants. While Isaac was the child of promise through whom the covenant would be established, God also promised to make Ishmael a great nation (Genesis 21:13, 18). The presence of the Hagrites in the biblical narrative illustrates the unfolding of this promise and the broader scope of God's providence and sovereignty over all nations.

The conflicts between the Israelites and the Hagrites also reflect the ongoing spiritual and physical battles faced by God's people. The victories over the Hagrites, attributed to divine intervention, emphasize the importance of reliance on God and faithfulness to His covenant. These accounts serve as an encouragement to trust in God's deliverance and to seek His guidance in times of conflict and adversity.HAGRITES

hag'-rits (haghri'im): An Arab tribe, or confederation of tribes (1 Chronicles 5:10, 19, 20 the King James Version "Hagarites"; 1 Chronicles 27:31 the King James Version "Hagerite"; Psalm 83:6 "Hagarenes"), against which the Reubenites fought in the days of Saul. In Genesis 25:12-18 are recorded the descendants, "generations," of Ishmael, "whom Hagar the Egyptian Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham." Two, and possibly three, of these tribes, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah (25:15), appear to be identical with the 3 tribes whom the Reubenites and the other Israelite tribes East of the Jordan conquered and dispossessed (1 Chronicles 5). The correspondence of names in Genesis and 1 Chronicles leaves little doubt that "Hagrite" is a generic term roughly synonymous with "Ishmaelite," designating the irregular and shifting line of desert tribes stretching along the East and South of Palestine. Those "East of Gilead," "Jetur, Naphish and Nodah," were overcome by Reuben: "The Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them.. And they took away their cattle. they dwelt in their stead until the captivity" (1 Chronicles 5:20-22).

These along with other Arab tribes are mentioned in the inscriptions of Tiglath-pileser III (745-727 B.C.). Jetur gave his name to the Itureans of Roman times, who were famed soldiers dwelling in Anti-Libanus. Compare Curtis, Commentary on Chronicles; Skinner, "Genesis," ICC, in the place cited.

Edward Mack

1905. Hagri -- a tribe East of the Jordan, also a member of the ...
... a tribe East of the Jordan, also a member of the tribe, also an Israelite.
Transliteration: Hagri Phonetic Spelling: (hag-ree') Short Definition: Hagrites. ...
/hebrew/1905.htm - 6kHagrites (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HAGRITES. hag'-rits (haghri ... cited. Edward Mack.
Multi-Version Concordance Hagrites (5 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles ...
/h/hagrites.htm - 9k

Nodab (1 Occurrence)
... Nodab (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 5:19 They made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur,
and Naphish, and Nodab. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/n/nodab.htm - 7k

Naphish (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 5:19 They made
war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab. ...
/n/naphish.htm - 8k

Jetur (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 5:19 They made
war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab. ...
/j/jetur.htm - 7k

Waged (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 5:10 In the days of Saul, they made war with the Hagrites, who fell
by their hand; and they lived in their tents throughout all the land east of ...
/w/waged.htm - 8k

Ishmaelites (6 Occurrences)
... YLT NAS NIV). Psalms 83:6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and
the Hagrites; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/i/ishmaelites.htm - 9k

Ish'maelites (6 Occurrences)
... Psalms 83:6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites; (See
RSV). Ishmaelites, Ish'maelites. Ishmael's . Reference Bible.
/i/ish'maelites.htm - 8k

Entreaty (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered
into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the ...
/e/entreaty.htm - 10k

Allies (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered
into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the ...
/a/allies.htm - 10k

Shapham (1 Occurrence)
... are intelligible, they seem to indicate that Shapham and his chief, Joel, lived
in the time of Saul and shared in the war against the Hagrites (1 Chronicles 5:7 ...
/s/shapham.htm - 7k

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