Kedar

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Listen from:
Son of Ishmael, and founder of an important tribe inhabiting the north-west of Arabia, though the name is probably also employed for Arabs generally (Gen. 25:1313And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, (Genesis 25:13); 1 Chron. 1:2929These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, (1 Chronicles 1:29)). The Psalmist desired peace, for he had been dwelling in the tents of Kedar, with those who “hated peace” (Psalm 120:5-65Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! 6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. (Psalm 120:5‑6)). The bride in Song of {s 22221}Solomon 1:55I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. (Song of Solomon 1:5) was black, or dark, like the black tents of Kedar. The references to lambs, rams, goats, flocks, camels, tents, and tent-curtains, show that a nomadic people are spoken of, though their “villages” are also mentioned. Judgments were pronounced against them (Isa. 21:16-1716For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: 17And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it. (Isaiah 21:16‑17); Isa. 42:1111Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. (Isaiah 42:11); Isa. 60:77All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. (Isaiah 60:7); Jer. 2:1010For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing. (Jeremiah 2:10); Jer. 49:2828Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the Lord; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east. (Jeremiah 49:28); Ezek. 27:2121Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants. (Ezekiel 27:21)).