Who was Mibsam in the Bible?

Mibsam was a son of Ishmael and a grandson of Abraham, making him part of the lineage of Abraham through Hagar. He is listed among the twelve tribal chiefs descended from Ishmael (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29).

What is the significance of Mibsam?

Mibsam's significance lies in his role as one of the founders of an Ishmaelite tribe, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that Ishmael would father twelve tribal rulers (Genesis 17:20). His inclusion in the genealogies shows the fulfillment of prophecy and the spread of Abraham's descendants.

What key events was Mibsam part of?

The Bible does not record specific events in Mibsam's life. His mention is solely genealogical, marking his birth as a son of Ishmael and his establishment as a tribal chief, as part of the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham's family.

Mibsam

Old TestamentPatriarchsMaleSon

Mibsam was a son of Ishmael and grandson of Abraham (Gen.25.13; 1Ch.1.29).

Mibsam

Biography

Mibsam was one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, Abraham's firstborn through Hagar, as recorded in Genesis 25:13 and 1 Chronicles 1:29. These twelve sons fulfilled God's promise to Abraham that Ishmael would become the father of twelve princes and a great nation (Genesis 17:20). Mibsam's name, possibly meaning 'fragrant' or 'sweet smell,' appears in the list of Ishmael's sons who became tribal chiefs, each heading a clan that settled across the vast region from Havilah to Shur, east of Egypt toward Assyria. As a grandson of Abraham, Mibsam belonged to the broader Abrahamic family even though the covenant promises were channeled through Isaac. His descendants likely formed one of the Arabian tribal groups that inhabited the desert regions south and east of Canaan.

Significance

Mibsam's place among Ishmael's twelve sons demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises that extend beyond the covenant line. God had specifically promised Abraham that Ishmael would father twelve rulers and become a great nation, and Scripture meticulously records those twelve names to confirm this word was kept. Mibsam's inclusion in this list affirms that God's blessings, though distinct from covenant election, are real and enduring. The parallel between Ishmael's twelve sons and Jacob's twelve sons who became the tribes of Israel creates a literary and theological symmetry, showing God's providential ordering of nations. Mibsam reminds readers that Abraham's influence extended far beyond Israel, shaping the broader family of nations in the ancient Near East.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherIshmaelSiblingNebaiothSiblingAdbeel

Verse Appearances (2)

Genesis

Genesis 25:13

1Chr

1Chr 1:29

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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