Kedar
“Dark-skinned, or possibly dusky”
Summary
The second son of Ishmael and ancestor of a powerful Arab tribe known for their nomadic lifestyle, black tents, flocks, and skill in archery.
☩Origin and Territory
Kedar was the second son of Ishmael, listed after Nebaioth in the genealogies of Genesis and Chronicles. The tribe that bore his name settled primarily in the northwestern part of Arabia, on the confines of Palestine and extending into the Syrian desert. They became one of the most prominent of all the Ishmaelite tribes, so that in later times the name "Kedar" came to be applied to the wild desert tribes in general. Rabbinical writers identify them specifically with the Arabians, and Arab tradition states that Kedar settled in the Hejaz, the region around Mecca and Medina. Through Kedar, Muslim genealogists trace the descent of Mohammed from Ishmael via the distinguished tribe of Quraish.
☩Characteristics and Lifestyle
The Kedarites were quintessential Bedouins, dwelling in black goat-hair tents that became proverbial for their dark color. The bride in Song of Solomon describes herself as "dark but lovely... like the tents of Kedar," referencing their distinctive black tent dwellings. They were wealthy pastoral people, rich in flocks of sheep and goats with which they traded with the Tyrians and Syrians. Ezekiel mentions Kedar among those who brought lambs, rams, and goats to the markets of Tyre. Despite their primarily nomadic nature, some Kedarites also dwelt in villages, combining settled and pastoral lifestyles. They were skilled warriors, particularly renowned as archers and "mighty men," fulfilling the prophecy about Ishmael that "his hand will be against every man."
☩Biblical References
Kedar appears throughout the prophetic literature as representative of the Arabian peoples. The Psalmist, longing for peace, lamented dwelling "in the tents of Kedar" among those who hate peace. Isaiah proclaimed judgment against Kedar, saying that within a year "all the glory of Kedar will come to an end" and "the survivors of the archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few." Jeremiah prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would attack "Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor," plundering their flocks and tents. Yet Isaiah also envisioned a future redemption when "the villages that Kedar inhabits" would rejoice and the flocks of Kedar would be gathered to minister acceptably before the Lord.
Related Verses11 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Kedar," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Kedar," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Kedar," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Kedar," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Kedar," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).