Genesis 25:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these [were] the children of Keturah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The sons of Midyan were 'Eifah, 'Efer, Hanokh, Avida and Elda'ah. All these were descendants of K'turah.

Berean Standard Bible:

The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.

American Standard Version:

And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the sons^{H1121} of Midian^{H4080}; Ephah^{H5891}, and Epher^{H6081}, and Hanoch^{H2585}, and Abida^{H28}, and Eldaah^{H420}. All these were the children^{H1121} of Keturah^{H6989}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 25:4

Genesis 25:4 is a genealogical verse that lists the sons of Midian, who was one of the sons born to Abraham through his wife Keturah after the death of Sarah. The verse is part of a passage that details the descendants of Abraham, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promise to make him the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-6).

**Themes:**
1. **Fulfillment of Promise:** The listing of Abraham's descendants through Keturah underscores the theme of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to make Abraham's offspring numerous.
2. **Genealogy and Legacy:** The verse emphasizes the importance of genealogy in the ancient world, where lineage was crucial for understanding one's identity and inheritance.
3. **Diversity of Nations:** The mention of different sons and nations born from Abraham illustrates the diversity of peoples that would emerge from the patriarch's lineage, reflecting a broader biblical theme of God's concern for all nations.

**Historical Context:**
- **Abraham's Later Life:** After Sarah's death, Abraham remarried to Keturah (Genesis 25:1). The sons born to Keturah are part of the extended family of Abraham, which includes the lineage of Midian, from which the Midianites would descend.
- **The Midianites:** The Midianites were a nomadic people who lived in the northwestern regions of the Arabian Peninsula. They play a significant role in the later narrative of the Bible, particularly in the story of Moses, who flees to Midian and marries the daughter of a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:15-21).
- **Abraham's Influence:** The verse reflects the widespread influence of Abraham, whose descendants would eventually spread throughout the ancient Near East, influencing various cultures and peoples.

In summary, Genesis 25:4 is a snapshot of the genealogical expansion of Abraham's line through his wife Keturah, highlighting the theme of God's promises being fulfilled and the historical reality of the diverse nations that traced their ancestry back to Abraham.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4080
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִדְיָן
   Transliteration: Midyân
   Pronunciation: mid-yawn'
   Description: the same as מִדְיָן; Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants; Midian, Midianite.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5891
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵיפָה
   Transliteration: ʻÊyphâh
   Pronunciation: ay-faw'
   Description: the same as עֵיפָה; Ephah, the name of a son of Midian, and of the region settled by him; also of an Israelite and of an Israelitess; Ephah.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6081
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵפֶר
   Transliteration: ʻÊpher
   Pronunciation: ay'-fer
   Description: probably a variation of עֹפֶר; gazelle; Epher, the name of an Arabian and of two Israelites; Epher.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2585
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲנוֹךְ
   Transliteration: Chănôwk
   Pronunciation: khan-oke'
   Description: from חָנַךְ; initiated; Chanok, an antediluvian patriach; Enoch.
   
6. Strong's Number: H28
   There are 1546 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲבִידָע
   Transliteration: ʼĂbîydâʻ
   Pronunciation: ab-ee-daw'
   Description: from אָב and יָדַע; father of knowledge (i.e. knowing); Abida, a son of Abraham by Keturah; Abida, Abidah.
   
7. Strong's Number: H420
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶלְדָּעָה
   Transliteration: ʼEldâʻâh
   Pronunciation: el-daw-aw'
   Description: from אֵל and יָדַע; God of knowledge; Eldaah, a son of Midian; Eldaah.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6989
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קְטוּרָה
   Transliteration: Qᵉṭûwrâh
   Pronunciation: ket-oo-raw'
   Description: feminine passive participle of קָטַר; perfumed; Keturah, a wife of Abraham; Keturah.