These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their encampments; twelve princes according to their nations.
All Commentaries on Genesis 25:16 Go To Genesis 25
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
By their castles; or, the castles, towns, and tribes of principal note, received their names from these twelve princes, or phylarks, whose authority is still recognized among all the tribes of the Arabs. (Thevenot.) (Haydock)
The towns of these people were easily built, and more easily destroyed; for they consisted only of tents, Jeremias xlix. 31. Their castles were perhaps only sheep-folds, as the original Tiroth may signify; or they were a sort of watch-towers, to prevent the sudden attack of an invading enemy, and to serve also for a retreat. (Calmet)
