Genesis 25:1-4
Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the text doesn't specify when Abraham married Keturah, the phrasing "Abraham added and took a wife" suggests this wasn't just a new chapter, but an act of God's promise being fulfilled again, even in Abraham's old age, showing God's faithfulness to multiply his seed. This act of taking another wife, producing more children, highlights that God's covenantal promises often extend beyond our immediate expectations and circumstances.
This verse marks the introduction of Abraham's other wife, Keturah, and their children. The placement of this information here is significant; rather than following a strict chronological order, it's presented after Sarah's death and Isaac's marriage to complete the account of Abraham's descendants before shifting focus to Isaac's line. This section also details how Abraham provided for Keturah's sons, sending them away from Isaac to secure the inheritance promised to Isaac alone.
Abraham, a man whose life was marked by incredible faith and divine encounters, takes another wife after Sarah's death. What does this reveal about his later years and God's faithfulness?
Genesis 25:1 introduces Keturah, Abraham's second wife. The wording 'Then again Abraham took a wife' can be a bit ambiguous, leading to questions about the timing. Some scholars suggest it happened before Sarah's death, while others, drawing from the flow of the narrative and Abraham's age, believe it was after. What's clear is that even in his advanced age, Abraham experienced new beginnings.
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Abraham's life yielded more than just Isaac. What is the significance of his other children, and how do they fit into God's overarching plan?
The mention of Keturah isn't just about Abraham's personal life; it's deeply connected to God's covenant promises.
Understand the original words
'ish · Hebrew Noun
A male human being or person, often used in a patriarchal context to designate a family head or progenitor. In biblical genealogy, it implies lineage, inheritance, and the passing of covenantal or tribal identity.
'ishshah · Hebrew Noun
A partner in marriage; the term signifies a legal and covenantal union between a man and a woman, established or recognized before God, often implying domestic stability and the bearing of children.
yalad · Hebrew Verb
To bring forth children; the act of giving birth, which in Scripture is often viewed as a divine blessing and the mechanism by which the covenantal promises and generational lines are fulfilled.
ben · Hebrew Noun
Male offspring; in biblical usage, it denotes genealogical succession and inheritance rights, particularly significant when distinguishing between the seed of promise and the seed of natural descent.
c. 2091 BC
Sarah Dies
Abraham's wife Sarah dies at 127 years old. This marks a significant life event for Abraham, leaving him in mourning and solitary.
c. 2087 BC
Isaac Marries Rebekah
Abraham arranges the marriage of his son Isaac to Rebekah, securing the lineage for the covenant promises.
c. 2086 BC - 2071 BC— this verse
Abraham Takes Keturah as Wife
Abraham, now around 140 years old, takes Keturah as a wife or concubine. This event is placed here in the narrative to complete the account of Abraham's descendants before his death.
c. 2071 BC
Abraham Sends Away Keturah's Sons
Abraham provides for his sons by Keturah and sends them away to the east, away from Isaac, establishing Isaac as the sole heir to the covenant promises.
c. 2068 BC
Abraham Dies
Abraham dies at 175 years old, after a life of faith and obedience, and is buried by his sons Isaac and Ishmael.
This verse sets the stage for Abraham's later marriage by detailing Isaac's marriage to Rebekah, which occurred after Sarah's death and before Abraham's marriage to Keturah. This establishes a chronological framework, highlighting that Isaac's lineage was established before Abraham took another wife.
1 Chronicles 1:32This passage directly names Keturah as Abraham's concubine and lists her sons, providing a parallel account that reinforces her role and the lineage stemming from her. It highlights the distinction between Abraham's primary heir, Isaac, and the descendants from his secondary wives.
Genesis 16:1-16This chapter details Abraham's earlier union with Hagar, Ishmael's mother. By understanding Hagar's role as a 'handmaid' and Keturah's role as a 'wife' or 'concubine,' we see a pattern in Abraham's life of having children through different women, with varying statuses and implications for inheritance.
Galatians 4:21-31This New Testament passage uses the allegorical stories of Sarah and Hagar, and by extension Isaac and Ishmael, to contrast those born 'according to the flesh' with those born 'according to the Spirit.' This commentary helps us understand the theological significance of the different lineages stemming from Abraham.
Genesis 25:5-6These verses explain that Abraham gave 'all that he had' to Isaac, while giving gifts to the sons of his concubines and sending them away. This clarifies the hierarchical distinction between Isaac as the heir and the sons of Keturah, underscoring the importance of God's covenant with Isaac's line.
clarkeGenesis 25:1: "Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah."
Then again Abraham took a wife - When Abraham took Keturah we are not informed; it might have been in the lifetime of Sarah; and the original ויסף vaiyoseph, and he added, etc., seems to give some countenance to this opinion. Indeed it is not very likely that he had the children mentioned here after the death of Sarah; and from the circumstances of his age, feebleness, etc., at the birth of Isaac, it is still more improb…
ellicottGenesis 25:1: "Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah."
XXV. ABRAHAM’S MARRIAGE WITH KETURAH. (1) Then again Abraham took a wife.—This rendering implies that Abraham’s marriage with Keturah did not take place until after Sarah’s death; but this, though probable, is far from certain, as the Hebrew simply says, And Abraham added and took a wife. This statement is altogether indefinite; but as Abraham was 137 years of age at Sarah’s death, and lived to be 175, it is quite possibl…
While the text doesn't specify when Abraham married Keturah, the phrasing "Abraham added and took a wife" suggests this wasn't just a new chapter, but an act of God's promise being fulfilled again, even in Abraham's old age, showing God's faithfulness to multiply his seed. This act of taking another wife, producing more children, highlights that God's covenantal promises often extend beyond our immediate expectations and circumstances.
This verse marks the introduction of Abraham's other wife, Keturah, and their children. The placement of this information here is significant; rather than following a strict chronological order, it's presented after Sarah's death and Isaac's marriage to complete the account of Abraham's descendants before shifting focus to Isaac's line. This section also details how Abraham provided for Keturah's sons, sending them away from Isaac to secure the inheritance promised to Isaac alone.
This verse marks the introduction of Abraham's other wife, Keturah, and their children. The placement of this information here is significant; rather than following a strict chronological order, it's presented after Sarah's death and Isaac's marriage to complete the account of Abraham's descendants before shifting focus to Isaac's line. This section also details how Abraham provided for Keturah's sons, sending them away from Isaac to secure the inheritance promised to Isaac alone.
"Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Eph…" — While the text doesn't specify when Abraham married Keturah, the phrasing "Abraham added and took a wife" suggests this wasn't just a new chapter, but an act of God's promise being fulfilled *aga…
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