“a wild donkey of a man.” This “description” has both positive and negative connotations. Desert donkeys were tough and survivors. On the other hand, they were stubborn and contentious. Throughout history, the Arab tribes have been both.

“nearby.” This phrase in Hebrew has two meanings. It is literally more like, “over against,” and it means either “in close proximity to,” or “in hostility to,” or both. It seems from history that both meanings are meant, and that is certainly the way the history of the Arab tribes has played out. They usually live quite close to each other, and they have been at war off and on throughout history (cp. commentary on Gen. 25:18).