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Tuesday, March 07, 2023

Women of the Bible: Keturah

Keturah was a concubine, or secondary wife (Sarah/Sarai was the principal one. She gave birth to Isaac, and Jacob, founder of Israel, was her grandson.) of Abraham, and she gave birth to several children, including the ancestor of the Midianites: Genesis 25:1: Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.

1 Chronicles 1:32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. 33 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

The Midianites are mentioned in Genesis 27, where they were involved in Joseph’s captivity. In Judges 6 and 7, the Midianites conquered Israel, until God, working through Gideon, rescued them.

One other comment on Keturah's status. Genesis 25:9 says that Isaac and Ishmael buried Jacob. There's no mention of Keturah's offspring being involved in this proceeding. 

Midian's descendants achieved some prominence in Old Testament times. For example, Joseph was sold into slavery, to some Midianites, by his brothers.

 

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