Interesting Facts

• Abraham took Keturah as a wife in his old age, after the death of Sarah.
• The origin of Keturah is somewhat varied in the sources, with one stating she was from Canaan and another suggesting she was from Abraham’s household servants after Hagar’s death.
• Keturah bore Abraham six sons, contributing significantly to the expansion of his descendants beyond Isaac.
• One source refers to Keturah as a “Canaanitish woman”, which could suggest a different ethnic or geographical background compared to Sarah and Rebekah.
• Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Keturah and sent them away eastward from his son Isaac while he was still living, indicating a separation of their lineages.

Genealogy

• Keturah was married to Abraham.
• She is described as being from the land of Canaan or from among Abraham’s household servants after the death of Hagar.
• Keturah bore Abraham six sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
• The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Medan were Amida, Joab, Gochi, Elisha, and Nothach. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Chanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. The sons of Ishbak were Makiro, Beyodua, and Tator. The sons of Shuach were Bildad, Mamdad, Munan, and Meban.
• The children of Zimran were Abihen, Molich, and Narim. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.

Historical Context

Keturah’s appearance in the narrative occurs after the significant event of Sarah’s death, marking a later stage in Abraham’s life, around the 43rd Jubilee, year 2089 AM according to the chronology presented. This period follows God’s abundant blessings upon Abraham. The cultural context of the time, as reflected in Abraham’s instructions to his descendants, emphasizes the importance of adhering to divine commandments and maintaining a separation from the practices of the Canaanites, which likely influenced the decisions regarding the future of Keturah’s offspring. Abraham’s act of giving gifts and sending Keturah’s sons eastward suggests a patriarchal society where the patriarch had authority over the dispersal and inheritance of his children, while also reflecting a desire to maintain the distinct lineage of Isaac as the primary heir of the covenantal promises.

Narrative

Keturah’s personal story within the provided texts is somewhat limited, primarily focusing on her role as Abraham’s wife and the mother of six sons. Her introduction into the narrative serves to expand Abraham’s lineage beyond the line of Isaac, establishing other branches of his family. The key narrative actions related to Keturah involve Abraham taking her as his wife in his old age and her bearing him multiple sons. Subsequently, Abraham’s decision to provide gifts to Keturah’s sons and send them away eastward, while he was still alive and Isaac was present, is a significant plot point. This action implies a distinction in the inheritance and the future dwelling places of Abraham’s children from different mothers. The descendants of Keturah, along with those of Ishmael, are later depicted as dwelling in the east, even mingling and becoming known as Arabs and Ishmaelites. While Keturah’s voice and personal motivations are absent from the narrative, her role in fathering a substantial portion of Abraham’s descendants contributes to the broader tapestry of Abraham’s legacy as depicted in these ancient texts.