Nebaioth
נְבָיוֹת/neh-BAY-yoth/
“Possibly 'heights' or 'fruitfulness'”
Summary
Nebaioth was the firstborn son of Ishmael and the ancestor of an Arab tribe, also called Nabateans.
☩Biblical References
Nebaioth was the eldest of Ishmael's twelve sons and the ancestor of a tribe that bore his name. His sister became the wife of Esau. The tribe of Nebaioth is mentioned in Isaiah's prophecy alongside Kedar as bringing flocks and rams to glorify God's house.
Key verses:Genesis 25:13Genesis 28:9Genesis 36:3Isaiah 60:7
☩The Nabateans
Many scholars identify the descendants of Nebaioth with the Nabateans, a powerful Arab people who later controlled much of the trade routes in the region around Petra. However, this identification is not certain, as the names differ slightly.
Key verses:Isaiah 60:7