Interesting Facts

• Epher is identified as one of the five sons of Midian.
• Midian was a son born to Abraham and Keturah. This makes Epher a grandson of Abraham.
• The provided sources do not attribute any specific actions or dialogues to Epher as an individual. His presence is within lists of descendants.
• Epher is mentioned alongside his brothers: Ephah, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah.
• The sons of Epher are recorded as Ephron, Zur, Alirun, and Medin.

Genealogy

• Epher’s father was Midian, who was one of the six sons born to Abraham and his wife Keturah.
• His paternal grandfather was the patriarch Abraham.
• His paternal grandmother was Keturah, whom Abraham married after the death of Sarah. Some accounts note she was “from the land of Canaan” or “from among the daughters of his household servants”.
• Through his father’s lineage, Epher was a great-grandson of Terah and a descendant of Shem and Noah.
• His brothers, as listed in the sources, were Ephah, Hanoch (Chanoch), Abidah, and Eldaah.
• Epher’s sons, as recorded, were Ephron, Zur, Alirun, and Medin. The sources do not provide information regarding Epher’s birth, his own marital relationships, or any daughters he may have had.

Historical Context Epher’s life would have unfolded in the era following Abraham’s union with Keturah and the subsequent increase in Abraham’s family. As a grandson of Abraham through Midian, Epher would have been part of the lineage that Abraham sent eastward with gifts, separating them from Isaac, the primary heir. The cultural and religious backdrop for Epher’s family would have been the teachings and traditions passed down by Abraham, emphasizing the “way of the Lord,” righteousness, and justice. The descendants of Midian, including Epher, are noted to have migrated to the east of the land of Cush, where they established a community and built a city, creating the land of Midian. Therefore, Epher’s life and the development of his own family would have taken place within the context of this newly formed Midianite society, influenced by Abrahamic heritage and the specific circumstances of their eastern settlement. The timeframe for these events is generally situated after the birth of Isaac and during the later years of Abraham’s life.

Narrative

Within the narrative framework of the provided texts, Epher’s presence is primarily genealogical, serving as a component in the record of Abraham’s expanding lineage through Keturah. He appears as one of the five sons of Midian, and subsequently, his own sons are also listed. This inclusion signifies his role in the establishment and continuation of the Midianite people. Unlike figures in the primary line of Isaac, whose lives are detailed with specific events and interactions, Epher remains a figure whose existence is marked by his place in the ancestral lists. His narrative contribution lies in demonstrating the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham concerning the multitude of his descendants. While the texts offer some broader details about the dwellings and eventual interactions of the Midianites, Epher himself is defined by his position within the familial structure, indicating the early branching of Abraham’s descendants into distinct groups and territories following the directives of the patriarch.