Interesting Facts

• Chadad is listed as one of the eight sons born to Ishmael by his wife Malchuth.
• The sons of Chadad are recorded as Azur, Minzar, and Ebedmelech.
• Chadad is identified as one of the sons of Ishmael who became twelve princes according to their nations.

Genealogy

• Chadad was a son of Ishmael.
• Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid.
• Chadad’s mother was Malchuth, Ishmael’s wife from the land of Canaan.
• His brothers, according to this lineage, were Nishma, Dumah, Masa, Tema, Yetur, Naphish, and Kedma.
• Chadad had three sons: Azur, Minzar, and Ebedmelech. These are listed as families of the children of Malchuth, the wife of Ishmael.

Historical Context

The emergence of Chadad within the genealogical records of Ishmael’s offspring by Malchuth occurs against the backdrop of the divine promises made to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed through both Isaac and Ishmael. The enumeration of Ishmael’s sons, including Chadad, and their subsequent designation as twelve princes signifies the fulfillment of the aspect of this promise pertaining to Ishmael. This development reflects the societal structures of the ancient Near East, where lineage and the establishment of families were paramount for the formation of tribal entities and the assertion of territorial claims. The separation of Ishmael and his descendants, including Chadad, to dwell in the east indicates a divergence from the central lineage of Abraham through Isaac, setting the stage for distinct historical trajectories for these related peoples. The cultural context underscores the patriarchal emphasis on the father figure and the significance of wives in producing offspring to ensure the continuity and expansion of the family name and influence.

Narrative

Chadad’s place within the overarching narrative of the patriarchal age is primarily that of a genealogical marker. He appears in the lists detailing the sons of Ishmael through his Canaanite wife, Malchuth, and is further noted as the progenitor of the families of Azur, Minzar, and Ebedmelech. As one of the twelve sons who became princes, Chadad contributes to the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Ishmael fathering a great nation. The sources provided do not ascribe any specific actions, dialogues, or personal narratives to Chadad himself. His importance lies in his inclusion within the documented expansion of Abraham’s extended family, demonstrating the early diversification of his descendants. Chadad, therefore, functions as a foundational figure within the Ishmaelite lineage, contributing to the broader tapestry of the ancestral narratives that shape the identity and origins of the peoples mentioned in these ancient texts.