The text starts by connecting the name of Ishmael’s son, Kedar, directly to the people known as the "sons of Kedar." It’s a seemingly straightforward connection. The verse cited from Jeremiah (49:28) – "Of Kedar, and of the kingdoms of Hazor" – seems to solidify this link. Names, after all, often carry the legacy and identity of a people.
But then, things get a bit more intriguing. The text brings up another of Ishmael's sons, Kedemah (Genesis 25:15). According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, this is where we get the "sons of Ḳedem." Now, Kedem itself signifies "eastward" or "ancient times," adding another layer of meaning.
And here's where it gets really interesting. The passage then shifts to the "sons of Cain." Wait a minute… weren’t all of Cain’s descendants wiped out by the Flood? That's what we generally believe, isn't it?
Well, Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer offers a fascinating explanation: the "sons of Cain" are called that not because of direct lineage, but because they dwelt in the territory that once belonged to Cain. It's about geographical association. It's as if the land itself imprints a kind of identity upon those who live there.
The text supports this with a verse from Numbers (24:22): "Nevertheless Cain shall be wasted, as long as Asshur shall dwell in thy place." Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer interprets this to mean that Cain will be "wasted away" by fire – specifically, through the seed of Ishmael. And furthermore, that this seed of Ishmael will ultimately cause the kingdom of Assyria to cease. It's not just about bloodlines; it’s about the land, the history, the echoes of past deeds shaping the present and the future. The text suggests that even after the Flood, the legacy of Cain, through the land he once inhabited, continues to exert an influence. And that the descendants of Ishmael, paradoxically, become instruments of this legacy's unwinding.
What does this tell us? Perhaps it’s a reminder that history isn't just a collection of dates and names. It's a living, breathing force that shapes our identities, our destinies, and even the very ground beneath our feet. It is a complex interplay of lineage, location, and consequence. And it's a story that continues to unfold, generation after generation.