Kedar

Kedar was the homeland of the Kedarites, a North Arabian people descended from Kedar, the second son of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). In the Assyrian period they ranged across the desert east of Transjordan and south-east of Damascus, around the Wadi Sirhan, which runs from Jordan into what is now northern Saudi Arabia. Kedar is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a significant, largely nomadic people known for their pastoral lifestyle and trade activities.

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Biblical Significance

Kedar is listed among the sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29), and his descendants are referenced often in poetry and prophecy: the psalmist laments dwelling "among the tents of Kedar" (Psalm 120:5), the beloved compares her dark beauty to "the tents of Kedar" (Song of Solomon 1:5), and Jeremiah's oracle against Kedar foretells the taking of their tents, flocks and camels (Jeremiah 49:28-29). In Isaiah 21:16-17, a prophecy foretells the downfall of Kedar: within a year "all the glory of Kedar will come to an end," and the remaining archers of its mighty men will be few. Isaiah 42:11 calls on "the villages that Kedar inhabits" to lift up their voice in praise to the Lord. Kedar is also noted in Isaiah 60:7, where they are mentioned as part of the nations that will bring offerings to glorify God's house, indicating their inclusion in the broader narrative of redemption and restoration.

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Historical Overview

The Kedarites were a prominent nomadic tribe during the first millennium BC, known for their skilled camel herding and trade in perfumes, spices, and livestock. Assyrian royal inscriptions from the reign of Tiglath-pileser III (738 BC) onward record Kedarite rulers paying tribute to Assyria and fighting against it, and Jeremiah 49:28 records that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon struck Kedar. Ezekiel 27:21 names the princes of Kedar among Tyre's favored dealers in lambs, rams and goats.

The Kedarites were part of the larger Ishmaelite confederation, descending from Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. This connection places them within the narrative of the patriarchs and highlights their longstanding presence in the biblical world.

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Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological evidence for Kedar is limited due to the nomadic nature of their society, which left fewer permanent structures or settlements. However, Kedar is named in Assyrian royal inscriptions and on a 5th-century BC silver bowl from Tell el-Maskhuta in Egypt's eastern Nile Delta, whose Aramaic inscription calls Qainu son of Geshem "king of Kedar." The lack of substantial archaeological finds makes it challenging to provide a comprehensive picture of their material culture, but the references in ancient texts corroborate their historical presence.

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Theological Significance

The theological significance of Kedar is primarily drawn from its prophetic mentions in the Old Testament. The prophecies concerning Kedar, such as those in Isaiah, reflect God's sovereignty over all nations, including those outside the covenant community of Israel. The inclusion of Kedar in the prophetic visions of restoration and worship underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan: the flocks of Kedar, a people descended from Ishmael, whom God promised to make a great nation (Genesis 17:20), come up with acceptance on God's altar (Isaiah 60:7).