Interesting Facts

• Kedma is recorded as one of the eight sons born to Ishmael through his wife Malchuth.
• The sons of Kedma are listed as Calip, Tachti, and Omir.
• Kedma is numbered among the sons of Ishmael who rose to become twelve princes according to their nations.

Genealogy

• Kedma’s father was Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, the handmaid of Sarah.
• His mother was Malchuth, a woman Ishmael took as wife from the land of Canaan.
• According to the genealogical records, Kedma’s brothers were Nishma, Dumah, Masa, Chadad, Tema, Yetur, and Naphish.
• The progeny of Kedma included three sons: Calip, Tachti, and Omir, who are accounted for among the families of Malchuth, the wife of Ishmael.

Historical Context

The emergence of Kedma within the genealogies of Ishmael’s sons by Malchuth is a testament to the fulfillment of the divine pronouncements made to Abraham concerning the proliferation of his descendants, extending not only through Isaac but also through Ishmael. The meticulous recording of Ishmael’s sons, with Kedma being one of them, and their designation as twelve princes, underscores the societal structures of the ancient Near East, where patriarchal lineage formed the basis of tribal organization and influence. The narrative consistently places Ishmael and his expanding family, including Kedma, in the eastern regions, a geographical separation from the lineage of Isaac that took root in Canaan. This separation likely fostered the development of distinct cultural practices and identities over time. The emphasis on male lineage and the role of the wife in ensuring the continuation of the familial line are significant cultural markers of this period, evident in the detailed accounts of offspring such as Kedma and his sons.

Narrative

The significance of Kedma within the unfolding narrative of the early patriarchal age rests primarily upon his inclusion in the genealogical records that trace the lineage of Ishmael through his marriage to Malchuth. As one of the eight sons born to this union, Kedma is considered a foundational ancestor of one of the twelve distinct tribal entities that claimed Ishmael as their progenitor. The texts further detail Kedma’s own contribution to this burgeoning lineage through his sons, Calip, Tachti, and Omir, thereby illustrating the continued expansion and diversification of Ishmael’s descendants. The provided sources do not ascribe any specific actions, dialogues, or personal events directly to Kedma himself. Rather, his importance lies in his position as a vital link within the genealogical framework, demonstrating the initial stages of the development of the Ishmaelite peoples as part of God’s broader plan for Abraham’s seed. Thus, Kedma serves as a noteworthy figure in the ancestral accounts that delineate the origins and early growth of the Ishmaelite tribes, as preserved within these ancient records.