Connecting the Dots: Isaiah 60:7, the Hajj Ritual, and the Prophecy of Ishmael’s Descendants

Some believe that Isaiah 60, verse 7, is related to the Hajj ritual, and is the fulfillment of Hagar’s prophecy regarding Ishmael in Genesis 21, verse 18. How is this interpretation presented?

This is an interesting question. The interpretation that Isaiah 60, verse 7, is related to the Hajj ritual and the fulfillment of Hagar's prophecy regarding Ishmael is based on the following assumptions:

The verse reads:

“All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you, The rams of Nebaioth will serve you; They will go up on My altar with acceptance, And I will glorify My glorious house.”

The flocks of Kedar and the rams of Nebaioth in Isaiah 60, verse 7, refer to the descendants of Ishmael, who was the son of Abraham and Hagar, and the ancestor of the Arabs. Kedar and Nebaioth were two of Ishmael's sons (Genesis 25, verse 13).

The altar and the glorious house mentioned in Isaiah 60, verse 7, refer to the Kaaba. The Kaaba is a sacred building in Mecca that has a cube shape. Muslims believe it was constructed by Abraham and Ishmael. It serves as the direction of prayer and is also the destination for the Hajj pilgrimage.

The acceptance of the offerings on the altar and the glorification of the house in Isaiah 60, verse 7, refer to Muslims performing their Hajj, known as the Feast of Sacrifice. This sacrifice is performed in remembrance of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael and as a demonstration of submission to Allah's will.

Furthermore, it is a prophecy of God's acceptance and blessing of the Ishmaelites, who worship Him at the Kaaba in sincerity and submission, as He promised Hagar in Genesis 21, verse 18, "I will make him into a great nation.".

This interpretation is presented by some Muslim scholars and commentators, who see it as a proof of the truth and validity of Islam and the Hajj ritual.

Significance of Kedar in the Bible

1. Kedar was the second son of Ishmael and grandson of Abraham (Genesis 25:13, 1 Chronicles 1:29). The name Kedar is used to refer to his descendants, a nomadic Arab tribe that lived in the northwest part of the Arabian peninsula.

2. The people of Kedar were known for their black goat hair tents, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle (Song of Songs 1:5). They were also skilled warriors and archers (Isaiah 21:16-17).

3. Kedar is mentioned several times in prophetic passages:

Isaiah uses Kedar as an example of a distant eastern country in contrast to Israel (Jeremiah 2:10).

Jeremiah and Isaiah prophesy the downfall and destruction of Kedar at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Assyrians (Jeremiah 49:28-29, Isaiah 21:16-17).

Ezekiel notes that Kedar, along with Arabia, supplied lambs, rams and goats to the merchants of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:21).

4. In some passages, Kedar serves as a symbol:

Dwelling in the tents of Kedar represents living among hostile people far from the worship of God (Psalm 120:5).

The dark tents of Kedar are a metaphor for the beauty of Solomon's bride (Song of Songs 1:5).

5. Prophetically, Isaiah looks forward to a time when Kedar will worship God and be included in His kingdom (Isaiah 42:11, 60:7), signifying the universal scope of God's salvation plan.

6. In later times, the name Kedar came to be used more broadly for Arab peoples in general. Islamic genealogies trace Mohammed's lineage back to Ishmael through Kedar.

So in summary, Kedar was a prominent ancient Arabian tribe that had interactions with Israel and its neighbors. They are featured in prophecies of judgment as well as future blessing, and symbolically represent foreign peoples who will one day be brought into the worship of the true God. The references to Kedar give insight into the nomadic Arab cultures of Old Testament times.

Abraham and the House of God in Jerusalem and Mecca

Did Moses and Abraham know that the temple would be built in Jerusalem?

The Bible does not explicitly state that Moses and Abraham knew about the future construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. However, both figures are significant in the Jewish tradition regarding the covenant with God and the eventual establishment of a central place of worship.

1. Abraham: He is often associated with the land of Canaan, which includes Jerusalem. The biblical narrative highlights that he established altars and worshiped God in various locations, symbolizing a connection to the land that would later become significant in Jewish history.

2. Moses: He led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law at Mount Sinai. His connection to the Tabernacle, a mobile sanctuary, is significant, as it laid the groundwork for central worship in the future. The establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem is often viewed as a fulfillment of the promise of a permanent dwelling place for God, but there is no direct indication that Moses was aware of the future Temple.

In Jewish tradition, the idea of a Temple in Jerusalem is connected to prophecies and promises made later in the biblical narrative, particularly during the time of King David and Solomon. Therefore, while Moses and Abraham played crucial roles in the religious history of the Israelites, there is no definitive evidence that Moses and Abraham had knowledge of the Temple's future construction.

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How is Abraham linked to the Kaaba (House of God) in Mecca in Islam?

In Islam, Abraham is deeply connected to the Kaaba in Mecca, which is regarded as the House of God. According to Islamic tradition:

1. Construction of the Kaaba: It is believed that Abraham, along with his son Ishmael, was instructed by God to build the Kaaba as a place of worship. The Kaaba is considered the first house of worship dedicated to the monotheistic belief in one God.

2. Covenant and Submission: Abraham is viewed as a key figure in Islam for his unwavering submission to God's will and his role as a prophet. His dedication to monotheism is foundational to Islamic beliefs.

3. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The Kaaba is the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims from around the world perform rituals around the Kaaba, commemorating the actions of Abraham and Ishmael.

4.Significance of the Black Stone: The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), set into the corner of the Kaaba, is said to have been given to Abraham by the angel Gabriel. It is revered by Muslims as a sacred object.

Overall, Abraham's legacy as a prophet and the father of monotheism links him to the Kaaba (House of God), reinforcing the importance of the site in Islamic faith and practice.