The Ishmaelites are called Midianite traders (that is, traders from Midian). Ishmaelites were descendants of Abraham through Hagar (16:5). Midianites were descendants of Abraham through Keturah (25:1–2). The term Ishmaelite may have been used more generally for desert tribes (nomadic groups who move from place to place). The Midianites may also have been traveling with a separate group of Ishmaelite traders (37:27).
Kidnapping (taking a person by force) is mentioned in 40:15. Later, it became a capital offense (a crime punished by death) in Israel’s law (see Exodus 21:16).