Genesis 25:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.

NIV: Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah.

NASB: Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.

CSB: Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah,

NLT: Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah.

KJV: Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

NKJV: Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

Bible interpreters disagree about when Abraham married Keturah, his "other wife." Does the text mention this marriage here because it came after Sarah's death, as has been traditionally understood? This is possible, but ancient literature was not written in the same chronological sense as modern history. The other, more likely possibility is that Abraham married Keturah before Sarah died. Given that Abraham had six children with Keturah, it seems more likely that theirs was an ongoing relationship, not one which did not even start until Abraham was nearly 140 years old (Genesis 23:1–2; 17:17).

The text is not clear as to which of these two options is the truth. In 1 Chronicles 1:32, Keturah is described as Abraham's concubine. In any case, the following verses will reveal that Abraham had six sons with Keturah. None of them were included in the covenant promises given by God to Abraham and then Isaac.

Genesis 25:1–18 adds details before describing the deaths of Abraham and then Ishmael. Abraham has taken another wife, other than Sarah, and has six sons with her. He gives them gifts but sends them all away to the east. Isaac will be his sole true heir. Still, when Abraham dies and is buried at the age of 175, Ishmael joins Isaac for the funeral. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with a description of the region their tribes settled in. Finally, Ishmael dies, as well, at the age of 137.

Genesis 25 is packed with information. Abraham marries another wife, most likely before Sarah died, and has six sons with her. Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried by both Isaac and Ishmael at the family-owned cave where Sarah was buried. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with the region their tribes settled in, to the east of what would later become Israel. And, finally, God grants Isaac's prayer for Rebekah to become pregnant by giving the couple twins: the feuding Jacob and Esau.

The previous chapter tells the story of how Abraham's servant found a wife for Isaac from among Abraham's people. This chapter rushes to fill in the details of the end of Abraham's life before beginning the story of Isaac's years as patriarch. Abraham marries another woman and has six sons with her, eventually sending them all away from Isaac. Abraham dies and is buried with Sarah. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, and then his death is recorded, as well. Finally, Isaac's twin boys are born in response to his prayer to the Lord.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 9/7/2024 8:05:31 PM