from קָדַר; dusky (of the skin or the tent); Kedar, a son of Ishmael; also (collectively) Bedouin (as his descendants or representatives); Kedar.
Transliteration:Qêdâr
Pronunciation:kay-dawr'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term *Qêdâr* (`{{H6938}}`) is derived from the root *qādar* (`{{H6937}}`), which means "to be dark," "to be gloomy," or "to mourn." This etymological connection gives *Qêdâr* its foundational semantic range, encompassing:
1. **Dusky/Dark-skinned:** Referring to the complexion of individuals, as seen in the simile "black as the tents of Kedar" applied to skin color in [[Song of Solomon 1:5]].
2. **Dark (tent):** Alluding to the characteristic black goat-hair tents used by nomadic peoples, which absorb sunlight and provide shade.
3. **Proper Noun:** Primarily, Kedar, the second son of Ishmael, as listed in [[Genesis 25:13]].
4. **Collective Noun:** By extension, the descendants of Kedar, who formed a significant and widespread nomadic Arab tribal confederation, often synonymous with Bedouin peoples. This collective sense also refers to the territory they inhabited.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
*Qêdâr* appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible, offering various insights into its usage and the people it represents:
* **Genealogical Origin:** The first mention is in [[Genesis 25:13]], where Kedar is identified as the second of Ishmael's twelve sons. This establishes his lineage and connection to the broader Abrahamic narrative through Hagar.
* **Poetic and Prophetic Contexts:**
* **Isaiah:** The prophet Isaiah frequently references Kedar. [[Isaiah 21:16-17]] foretells the swift downfall of Kedar's glory, indicating a powerful military force that would be humbled. [[Isaiah 42:11]] calls upon the wilderness and its cities, the villages of Kedar, to rejoice, suggesting their widespread presence and the universal scope of God's praise. Most significantly, [[Isaiah 60:7]] speaks of the flocks of Kedar being gathered to Jerusalem as offerings, symbolizing the future inclusion of Gentile nations, including these nomadic peoples, in the worship of Yahweh.
* **Jeremiah:** Jeremiah also addresses Kedar. [[Jeremiah 2:10]] uses "the tents of Kedar" as a well-known geographical marker, emphasizing their nomadic lifestyle. [[Jeremiah 49:28-33]] details a severe judgment against Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, depicting them as a wealthy, secure, yet vulnerable people dwelling in the desert, whose flocks and tents would be plundered and their land desolated. This passage highlights their pastoral economy and perceived invulnerability.
* **Psalms:** In [[Psalm 120:5]], the psalmist laments dwelling among the "tents of Kedar," implying a place of hostility, alienation, or spiritual darkness, contrasting with the desired peace of Zion.
* **Song of Solomon:** [[Song of Solomon 1:5]] famously uses the simile "black as the tents of Kedar" to describe the beloved's dark complexion, directly linking the name to its primary etymological meaning and the appearance of their iconic dwellings.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H6937}}` *qādar*:** The foundational root, meaning "to be dark," "to be gloomy," or "to mourn." This provides the core semantic underpinning for *Qêdâr* as "dusky" or "dark."
* **Ishmaelites/Arabs:** As a son of Ishmael, Kedar and his descendants are part of the broader Ishmaelite lineage, often used interchangeably or in conjunction with "Arabs" (e.g., "Arabs and all the princes of Kedar" in [[Jeremiah 49:28]]).
* **Nomadic Lifestyle:** The recurring imagery of "tents of Kedar" ([[Song of Solomon 1:5]], [[Jeremiah 2:10]]) and "flocks of Kedar" ([[Isaiah 60:7]]) firmly associates them with a semi-nomadic, pastoral existence in the desert regions.
* **Desert/Wilderness:** Their dwelling place is consistently described as the wilderness or desert (e.g., [[Isaiah 42:11]], [[Jeremiah 49:28]]), reflecting their geographical domain.
* **Wealth and Power:** Passages like [[Jeremiah 49:28-33]] suggest that the people of Kedar possessed considerable wealth ("much cattle," "camels") and military strength, making them a formidable regional power.
* **Other Arab Tribes:** Kedar is sometimes mentioned alongside other contemporary tribal groups, such as Hazor ([[Jeremiah 49:28]]), indicating their interconnectedness within the broader Arabian landscape.
### Theological Significance
The appearances of *Qêdâr* carry several theological implications:
* **Divine Sovereignty Over Nations:** The prophecies against Kedar (e.g., [[Isaiah 21:16-17]], [[Jeremiah 49:28-33]]) underscore God's absolute sovereignty not only over Israel but over all nations, even those seemingly remote or powerful. Their judgment is part of God's wider plan for justice and the unfolding of His will on the global stage.
* **Inclusion of Gentiles in Redemption:** The vision in [[Isaiah 60:7]], where the flocks of Kedar are brought as offerings to Jerusalem, is highly significant. It symbolizes a future time when even these "outsider" nations, representing the broader Gentile world, will be drawn to Yahweh and participate in His worship. This foreshadows the New Covenant's expansion beyond ethnic Israel to include all peoples.
* **Human Condition and Spiritual Alienation:** The lament in [[Psalm 120:5]] ("Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!") can be interpreted as a spiritual longing to escape an ungodly or hostile environment. The "darkness" associated with Kedar might, in this context, symbolize spiritual alienation or opposition to God's people and His ways.
* **Cultural Context of Beauty:** In [[Song of Solomon 1:5]], the "tents of Kedar" serve as a natural and culturally resonant simile for dark beauty, indicating that dark skin was not inherently viewed negatively in this ancient Near Eastern context.
### Summary
*Qêdâr* (`{{H6938}}`) is a multifaceted Hebrew term, rooted in the concept of "darkness" or "dusky." It functions as both a proper noun for the second son of Ishmael ([[Genesis 25:13]]) and a collective noun for his prominent nomadic Arab descendants. Biblically, the "tents of Kedar" are iconic for their black goat-hair dwellings and nomadic lifestyle in the desert ([[Song of Solomon 1:5]], [[Jeremiah 2:10]]). Prophetic passages depict Kedar as a powerful, wealthy nation subject to divine judgment ([[Isaiah 21:16-17]], [[Jeremiah 49:28-33]]), yet also destined for future inclusion in God's redemptive plan, symbolizing the ingathering of Gentile nations to worship Yahweh ([[Isaiah 60:7]]). The term also conveys a sense of a hostile or spiritually dark environment in the Psalms ([[Psalm 120:5]]). Overall, *Qêdâr* encapsulates a significant people group, their cultural identity, and their integral place within the unfolding tapestry of God's interaction with humanity and the nations.
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