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Bible Encyclopedias
Kedar
The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia
or One of the sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13; 1 Chronicles 1:29). The name is also applied in Scripture to the tribe that sprang from him, and is likewise used for the Bedouins generally, whose characteristic traits are ascribed to Kedar (Song of Solomon 1:5; Isaiah 21:16, 42:11, 60:7; Jeremiah 2:10, 49:28; Ezekiel 27:21). While very little is known of Kedar, the head of the tribe, his posterity, called also the "Bene Kedar" (Isaiah 21:17), are described as barbarous tribes in connection with Mesech. "Woe is me," says the Psalmist (Psalms 120:5), "that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!" According to other passages, they appear to have been rich in flocks of sheep and goats, in which they traded with the Syrians (Ezekiel 27:21; Jeremiah 49:49). They dwelt in tents of black hair (Song of Solomon 1:5) in the midst of the wilderness of Arabia, and were known as skilful archers (Isaiah 21:17). But they also settled in villages or towns (Isaiah 42:11). According to Mohammedan tradition, Kedar ("Ḳaidhar") was the ancestor of Mohammed; and it is through him that Mohammed's descent is traced to Ishmael (Caussin de Perceval, "Essai," 1:175).
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Singer, Isidore, Ph.D, Projector and Managing Editor. Entry for 'Kedar'. 1901 The Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tje/k/kedar.html. 1901.
