These Nabataean people are believed to be Ishmaelites, descendants of Ishmael's firstborn, Nebaioth, or Nebajoth.
On the banner starting from the roots, see the biblical lineage from Adam to tribes of antiquity, some of whom still recognize this ancestry to this day. All the descendants who lived in the East are indicated in yellow.
Here are the words the Lord God spoke to Abraham concerning Ishmael:
“As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year" (Genesis 17:20-21).
Ishmael was 13 years of age when the Lord God spoke this to his father, Abraham, and was circumcised. Young Ishmael was sent away from Canaan to the East after Isaac was born and was supernaturally sustained by God, learning to survive in the desert. After Sarah's death, Abraham had more children with his concubines and second wife, Ketaur, mother of the Midianites. Ishmael with his other brothers did return to Canaan to honor his father before he died. Abraham gave them gifts to show affection and gave Isaac the promised inheritance. Then Ishmael joined Isaac to bury their father before returning to the East (Genesis 25:5-10).
Ishmael and his brothers increased in their lands, becoming nations without covenantal birthright, just as God promised Abraham. Abraham's grandson, Esau son of Isaac, also, settled in the East, intermarrying with the descendants of Ishmael.
The Ishmaelites and Edomites knew God’s covenant with their cousin people, the Israelites. But what compelled them to make the journey back to the land of their father without birthright or covenant to worship Christ?