דברי הימים א, פרק כ״ז, פסוק ל׳

Managing the royal wealth required a highly organized system, particularly when it came to the kingdom's livestock. Officials were carefully selected based on their unique expertise, with each person matched specifically to the type of animal placed under their care. The man appointed to oversee the royal camels, Obil, was known as an Ishmaelite. This title highlights his deep understanding of how to properly care for, raise, and guide camels [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

There are a few complementary explanations for why he held this specific title. One approach suggests that he earned the name because he lived in the land of Ishmael or among the Ishmaelite people, which is where he developed his specialized skills with these animals [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective notes that both he and the official placed in charge of the donkeys, Jehdeiah the Meronothite, were actually foreigners. The kingdom specifically hired these outsiders because they possessed vast professional knowledge and experience in herding and animal care [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].