Who are the Arabs?
There are many misconceptions regarding who the Arab people really are. This study will attempt to clear up these misconceptions, and explain where the Arab nations originated.
One false notion is that all Arabs are Muslims. There are millions of Arabs that do not adhere to the faith of Muhammad, and there are many Islamics, who are not Arabs.
One example of a non-Arab nation whose people are mostly Muslims is Indonesia. In fact, there are more Muslims in Indonesia than there are in Syria. The Indonesians are "Malays".
Another example is Iran. Most people believe the Iranians are Muslim, they are Arabs. This is a false belief...they are Persians. The official language of Iran is Persian, and up to about 1935, Iran was called Persia. The Persians were driven out of most of the Middle East by the Arabs around 1,200 years ago.
One might think that a common bond between Iran and the Arabs would be their religion. However, they're of two different Muslim traditions. The Iranians are "Shi'ites" a sect that insists that Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali was Muhammad's rightful successor.
Most of the Arabs are "Sunnis" who believe the first four "Khaliphs" (or "Caliphs", a title given to the office of the spiritual and political leader who took over after Muhammad's death) are Muhammad's legal successors.
Where do the Arabs Come From?
We find the answer to this in Genesis Chapter 10.
10:1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were son born after the flood.
We must realize at this point, that since the Great Flood destroyed all life on earth except Noah his sons, and son's wives, all are descended from one of the three sons.
2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
3 And the sons of Gomer (Probably progenitors of the Germans); Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
4 And the sons of Javan (Greeks); Elishah, and Tarshish (Spain); Kittim (Italy); and Dodanim.
5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
These are the Descendants of Japheth, who, after the flood, migrated north and west from Babylon, toward Europe and Asia.
God had told Noah and his sons to "repopulate the earth" (Gen. 9:10). In order to do this, they were to spread out over the lands, and create new civilizations. Instead, they settled in the area of Babel, started pagan beliefs, idol worship, etc, and this was when they started building the "Tower of Babel", which was a pagan temple. For this reason, God "confused their languages" so as to force them to spread out over the earth.
The Japhetic nations are Eurasian, having settled in western Asia and parts of Europe. Since America was populated mostly from these nations, most Americans of European descent would be "Japhetites".
6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, (Area south of Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia); and Mizraim, (Hebrew word for Egypt); and Phut, (Libyans); and Canaan, (the "Canaanites").
7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
(Much of the designating of nations is educated guess work, due to boundaries and names changing over the years)
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
Nimrod, of course, was the founder of Babylon.
9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
The descendants of Ham moved south into Africa, and by Solomon's time, a greatly advanced civilization had developed in Northern Africa and Southern Arabia. The Queen of Sheba ruled over an African Empire that formed an alliance with Israel and King Solomon.
The descendants of Shem stayed in the middle east, Assyria , Asia Minor, Eastern Mesopotamia, Syria and Canaan. These are the Semitic People from which both the Jews and Arabs are descended.
Now lets examine the origins of the Arab nations. We find help with this in Genesis 16.
16:1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
For whatever reason, after becoming pregnant by Abram, Hagar began to hate Sarai. The Scripture doesn't go into detail as to why this hatred came about. It may have been because of jealousy; Hagar knew that even though she carried Abram's child, she wouldn't benefit in all the blessings and inheritances that Sarai would. This is of course, speculation, but makes sense.
The child that Hagar will give birth to is Ishmael. Abram and Sarai failed to trust in God and took matters into their own hands, so to speak. Little did they know that because of this, two nations would be at war with one another almost constantly for thousands of years, resulting in millions of deaths. Oh if we only would listen to God when He speaks.
There are only two progenitors of the Arab nations, Ishmael and Esau, whom we will discuss a little later. Ishmael was the son of Abram, the Hebrew, and Hagar, an Egyptian. The Arabs are very proud to be descended from Abraham and Ishmael. They even claim it was Ishmael, not Isaac, that Abraham was going to sacrifice to the Lord. There are many such lies and twisted beliefs in the Quran.
So then the Jews and the Arabs are related; The Jews through the seed of Isaac, the Arabs through the seed of Ishmael and Esau. The Arabs have even held some of the traditions and beliefs the Jews practice.
One Example - Circumcision. Even before Mohammed, the Arabs practiced this rite, circumcising the males at the age of 13, the age of Ishmael when he was circumcised. Genesis 17:24 states:
24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
The Arabs look upon the practice as a transition from childhood to manhood. The Jews, however, circumcise their male children at the eighth day after birth. It has just been in the last century that scientist have found that a certain vitamin - vitamin "K" - is at it's highest level around the eighth day after birth. This vitamin is necessary for clotting and healing after the surgery. Isn't it strange that man is finally catching up to God, and only after 4,000 years or so.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. (This is a visit by Yeshua Himself, a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus)
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
The Angel of the Lord gives Hagar five prophecies concerning her yet to be born son, Ishmael:
10 (1) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. (This promise is repeated in Genesis 17:20): And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
This promise specifically states that, even though God will bless and multiply Ishmael's seed, His (God's) Covenant is with Isaac.
And this prophecy has come to pass: Today there are 21 Arab nations, with a combined population of over 175 million. Their land stretches out over 5.3 million square miles. Compared to Israel's 4 million packed into an area of only about 8,000 square miles. The Jews are out-numbered by a ratio of 43 to 1.
In land, they are out-numbered by a ratio of 662 to 1.
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael (God hears or God shall hear); because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
Here the Angle of the Lord gives Hagar the other 4 prophecies concerning Ishmael;
12 (2) And he will be a wild man (Lit. Hebrew: a wild donkey of a man* ); (3) his hand will be against every man**, (4) and every man's hand against him; and (5) he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
* A reference to the fact the Arabs will be Nomads, wandering the deserts like the donkeys.
** Referring to the hostile attitudes toward others.
13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi (Lit. Hebrew: Well of the Living One who sees me); behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
So the Five prophecies concerning Ishmael are as follows:
1-Great in number
2-They will be Nomads, wanderers of the desert
3-They will be hostile toward every man
4-Every man will be hostile toward them
5-They will dwell near their brethren
There can be no doubt that these prophecies have come true. The hostilities between the Arabs and the Jews are common knowledge. The Arabs will settle for nothing less then total destruction of the Jewish nation.
Within 24 hours after the birth of Israel, Egypt from the south, and Jordan from the east attacked.
The Israelis retaliated, and the fighting went on for nearly eight months before the Arabs realized they were beaten. The longer the war went on, the more territory Israel gained. When the cease-fire took effect January 1949, Israel had gained another fifty percent in territory. They captured large parts of Galilee to the north; and parts of central Palestine including the Old City of Jerusalem.
There is much talk today of Israel giving back some of the territory it captured to turn it into a Palestinian state, or homeland. In fact, some land has already been given back. The Palestinians should have a homeland but let's examine the facts: In 1923, the League of Nations placed Palestine under British control. In the 1930's, Britain laid out plans to divide this area, giving some to the Palestinians for a homeland, and part to the Jews for their homeland. This area would be separated by an area including Jerusalem and Nazareth. So both Jews and Palestinians would have a homeland.
In April, 1950, Jordan annexed the areas of Eastern and Central Palestine that had been designated a Palestinian State, it's now a part of Jordan.
Again, in 1956, Israel retaliated when Egypt sat up a blockade through the Suez Canal in an attempt to get an economic "choke-hold" on Israel. When all the smoke cleared, Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula and the East Bank of the Suez Canal.
In 1967, Egypt and Syria blocked the Gulf of Aqaba, mobilized their armies, and moved their troops into the Sinai, preparing for an attack against Israel. In this infamous "6-day war", Israel totally defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Plus Israel added another 200 percent of land to their control. This included the Golan Heights, the West Bank, The Old City of Jerusalem, the Sinai, and the East Bank of the Suez Canal.
Descendants of Esau
Now let's discuss the second progenitor of some of the Arabs. We find this history in Genesis 25.
19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:
20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21 And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.
23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau (Esau means "Hairy" )
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man (Lit. "A quiet man"), dwelling in tents.
28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Esau was Isaac's "favorite", while Jacob was Rebekah's "favorite".
29 And Jacob sod (was preparing) pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom (Lit. "Red").
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
In Biblical times, the "birthright" was the "right" of the First-born son. This law commanded a double-portion of blessing, and an inheritance from the father. However, in this case, it meant much more. Isaac was Abraham's son, and therefore, in line for the covenant promises made to Abraham. It would be through one of Isaac's sons that the Promises made in the Abrahamic covenant would come to pass.
Many scholars have criticized Jacob because of the seemingly unfair trade, and it was unfair, until you realize that Esau had no concept as to what this birthright really meant, Isaac did. Jacob was aware of the prophecies regarding to two brothers...one would be stronger than the other; one would serve the other; and he (Jacob) wanted to be the one to inherit these promises. He wanted God's best. Later on, he would even wrestle with God, and be renamed Israel, the progenitor of the twelve tribes.
Esau traded all the promises of God for a bowl of soup.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Esau's descendants were called "Edomites", and they settled in the area that now would be just north of the Gulf of Aqaba. This ancient kingdom included parts of Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. The ancient city of Petra was part of Edom.
As the prophecies proclaim, the descendants of these two brothers are still at odds with one another.
The following Psalm presents a type of prophecy found many times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It contains a "dual" meaning, one which refers to the time of writing, another meaning for a future time.
A Song or Psalm of Asaph.
83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people (Israel), and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
This message was referring to the nations invading Judah in the days that Asaph wrote the Psalm, after the times of Solomon. (Probably the time referred to in 2 Chronicles 20, when Judah was invaded by Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites, Arab tribes who were descendants of Ishmael and Esau, who were adamant about destroying Israel).
Unfortunately, this Anti-Semitism is alive and well today; Arafat and the PLO's main goal is the destruction of Israel. Muslim teachings specify "extra rewards" in the after-life for any Muslim that kills a Jew.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
6 The tabernacles of Edom (area north of the Gulf of Aqaba, includes parts of Egypt and southern Jordan) , and the Ishmaelites; of Moab (central Jordan), and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal (and Tyre in Lebanon), and Ammon (in Northern Jordan), and Amalek; the Philistines (in the Gaza strip; "Philistine means Palestine), with the inhabitants of Tyre
8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen (helped) the children of Lot. Selah.
We know this is a future prophecy because never in Bible times were all these peoples united against Israel at the same time. It is happening now, in our generation.
For 2,000 years, the Jews were dispersed from the land, living any many countries throughout the world. Palestine was a desert waste land. There was never an Arab state in Palestine, nor was any effort made to set one up. The Arabs who lived there considered themselves Syrians.
The Jews began returning to the land during the Zionist Movement taking place in the late 19th. And early 20th century. Jewish settlements were established, with the Jews purchasing land from the Arabs.
All of the land was bought from the Arabs, who considered the land worthless.
It took World War 1 to make the Arabs realize what was happening. When the land was transferred from the Turks to the British, it became clear a Jewish State was planned, with the help of the British. The British caved in to Arab demands, and in 1922 gave 2/3 of the land to the Arabs, which became Jordan. This left the Jews with about 8,000 square miles, compared with Jordan's 37,000 square miles. But this wasn't enough for the Arabs. We've already mentioned the attack on Israel the day after she became a Nation in 1948. In 1988, the PLO declared a Palestinian state, and this was to include Israel, the land that was bought and paid for by the Jews.
The only peace that will come to the Middle East is with the coming of Messiah to rule from Jerusalem.
Israel has never owned all of the area God promised in the Old Testament. When all the smoke clears, after the return of Messiah, Israel will cover more than 300,000 Square Miles.
It is clear that we need to pray for the peace of Israel, Jerusalem and the Jews. It is also obvious that this peace will only come at the return of Messiah. This should be every true Christian's prayer, for the rapid return of Jesus to set up His Kingdom.
(For more information and study aids, contact the Christian Jew Foundation; PO Box 345; San Antonio Texas 78292)
Or contact them on the Internet at www.cjf.org
11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
13 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
The descendants of Canaan, The sons of Shem
15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
23 And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
24 And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
26 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
28 And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
31 These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.
One language in the world, The building of Babel