Keturah
femalePatriarchalMeaning: “Incense; fragrance”
The wife Abraham married after Sarah’s death, who bore him six sons — ancestors of Arabian peoples including the Midianites.
Biography
Keturah is the wife Abraham took after Sarah's death (Genesis 25:1); she is also called his concubine (1 Chronicles 1:32). Through her, Abraham fathered six more sons in his old age, showing the breadth of the promise that he would be "a father of many nations."
Mother of the eastern peoples
Keturah bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah (Genesis 25:2). From these descended a cluster of Arabian and desert peoples — most notably the Midianites, with whom Israel's history would repeatedly intersect. Abraham gave gifts to these sons and sent them eastward, away from Isaac, the heir of the covenant (Genesis 25:6).
Life Timeline
Marries Abraham after Sarah’s death
Bears Abraham six sons
On the Bible timeline
Keturah belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Keturah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Keturah appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
4 verses in 2 booksGenesis2 verses
Genesis 25:1
Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
Genesis 25:4
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
1 Chronicles2 verses
1 Chronicles 1:32
Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
1 Chronicles 1:33
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah.
Frequently asked about Keturah
Who was Keturah in the Bible?
The wife Abraham married after Sarah’s death, who bore him six sons — ancestors of Arabian peoples including the Midianites.
What does the name Keturah mean?
The name Keturah means “Incense; fragrance”.
What did Keturah do in the Bible?
Keturah served as matriarch.
Who were Keturah's children?
Keturah's children include Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah.
Where does Keturah appear in the Bible?
Keturah is mentioned 4 times across 2 books: Genesis, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Keturah?
The story of Keturah touches on themes of abraham, midianites, midian, keturah — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Keturah's life.
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