Ishmael’s Lineage and Death: Since Abraham had great affection for Ishmael and since he played a major role in two different episodes, the tradition includes his lineage and obituary. As elsewhere in Genesis, the genealogy of the nonelect occurs before that of the elect (chs. 4, 36).

25:12–16 Ishmael’s genealogy (toledoth) is given. His sons numbered twelve like Nahor’s (22:20–24), Esau’s (36:9–14; cf. commentary on that text), and Jacob’s (35:22b–26). Twelve represents a complete tribal unit; thus all of these groups were blessed by God in reaching this fullness. The tribes of Ishmael, headed by princes, lived in unfortified villages.

25:17–18 Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. The number of his so…