Sheba (Son of Jokshan)

Male

Sheba (Son of Jokshan) can be found in the following chapters:

Parents:

 and 

?

Lifespan:

Birth: 

Unknown, but likely around 2105 (Genesis 25:3, Jasher 25:2)

Death: 

Unknown, but likely around 2240

Marriage:

Children:

Description:

Interesting Facts

  • Sheba is identified in the sources as a son of Jokshan.
  • Jokshan was one of the six sons born to Abraham and Keturah, making Sheba a grandson of Abraham through this secondary lineage.
  • The sources mention Sheba in a genealogical context but provide no specific details about his personal actions, pronouncements, or individual life events.
  • Sheba is listed alongside his brother Dedan as the sons of Jokshan.
  • The text notes that the children of Sheba and Dedan did not dwell with their brethren in their cities but journeyed and encamped in the countries and wildernesses.

Genealogy

  • Sheba’s father was Jokshan, who was born to Abraham and his wife Keturah.
  • His grandfather was Abraham, a figure of great significance.
  • Sheba’s brother was Dedan, as they are both listed as sons of Jokshan.
  • Through his paternal lineage, Sheba was a great-grandson of Terah and a descendant of Shem and Noah [as inferred from general genealogical knowledge].
  • The provided sources contain no information regarding Sheba’s birth details, potential marital connections, or any offspring he might have had, although the text mentions the “children of Sheba and Dedan”.

Historical Context

As a grandson of Abraham through Keturah, Sheba’s life would have unfolded after Abraham’s marriage to Keturah, likely during the later years of Abraham’s life. A defining aspect of this period was Abraham’s distribution of gifts and the eastward dispersal of the sons of his concubines, including Keturah’s children, to establish themselves away from Isaac, the primary heir. Sheba, as a son of Jokshan, would have been part of this movement into the eastern regions. The cultural and societal influences on Sheba would have likely originated from the foundational teachings of Abraham, emphasizing the observance of the Lord’s way, which included principles of righteousness and neighborly conduct. However, the source indicates that Sheba and his brother Dedan and their children did not settle in the cities with their brethren but instead journeyed and encamped in the countries and wildernesses. This suggests a different mode of life, perhaps more nomadic or less settled than some of the other descendants of Keturah who built cities. The timeline suggests that Sheba’s life would have taken place as these various branches of Abraham’s family were establishing their presence and distinct ways of life in the lands east of Canaan.

Narrative

Within the narrative structure of the provided texts, Sheba’s presence is confined to a genealogical listing. He is mentioned solely as one of the two sons of Jokshan, who is himself listed among the six sons born to Abraham by Keturah. Notably, the text adds a detail regarding Sheba and his brother Dedan, stating that their children did not dwell in the cities of their brethren but journeyed and encamped in the wildernesses. This offers a slight distinction in their narrative compared to other descendants of Keturah who are mentioned as building cities. However, no specific narratives, dialogues, or personal actions are attributed to Sheba himself within the scope of these sources. His significance within the broader narrative context lies in his inclusion in the documented lineage of Abraham through Keturah, contributing to the comprehensive account of Abraham’s extended family and their dispersal into the eastern regions, distinct from the primary line of Isaac. This genealogical thread, while not providing a detailed personal story, does indicate a different pattern of settlement and lifestyle for Sheba’s lineage compared to some of his relatives.