Kedar

Kee´duhr; Heb., “dark”

A confederation of Arab tribes based in the north Arabian desert. In (Gen 25:13 and 1Chr 1:29) Kedar is one of the twelve sons of Ishmael. In the Bible the military might of the Kedarites is indicated by reference to their archers and warriors (Isa 21:16-17). Thus, although they dwelt in the eastern desert in dark tents (Isa 42:11; Jer 2:10; Jer 49:28; Ps 120:5; Song 1:5) and were herders (Isa 60:7; Jer 49:29), their “princes” traded with Tyre, which lay on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea far to the north and east (Ezek 27:21).