There is still no link between Ishmael and all Muslims

Submitted by Maggie4Life (Australia), Sep 25, 2006 at 19:57

Abu,

there is still no link between Ishmael and all Muslims, especially Mohammed. The most interesting thing about OT Scripture is that it is not meant to be as literal as some would want us to believe. I am not denying the truth of the Scripture, just the most literal interpretation as being the only interpretation. The verse that you point out is one that shows that the Chosen People always had their enemies. All the same there is no proof provided that Ishmael is a direct ancestor of Mohammed. Here is a verse that most neglect, and from this verse we need to be able to trace the tribes and descendants of Ishmael:

"These are the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham by Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Ishmael's first born was Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Mass, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. They are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names according to their settlements and encampments, twelve chiefs of as many tribes....He lived in the territory stretching from Havilah to Shur, which is to the east of Egypt, on the way to Assyria. He set himself to defy his brothers." (Gen 25: 12-18)

The purpose here is to name the tribes associated with Ishmael, and to show that there had been animosity between them and the Hebrew. How interesting that the animosity, especially that which is found in Iraq and Syria continues to this day.

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