Genesis 25:3

KJV

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jokshan {H3370} begat {H3205} Sheba {H7614}, and Dedan {H1719}. And the sons {H1121} of Dedan {H1719} were Asshurim {H805}, and Letushim {H3912}, and Leummim {H3817}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yokshan fathered Sh'va and D'dan. The sons of D'dan were Ashurim, L'tushim and L'umim.

Berean Standard Bible

Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.

American Standard Version

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:3 meticulously records the immediate descendants of Jokshan, one of Abraham's sons through Keturah, specifically naming Sheba and Dedan. It then further details the tribal groups that emerged from Dedan: Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim, thereby continuing the biblical account of the proliferation of Abraham's seed and the origins of various ancient Near Eastern peoples, underscoring the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 25 opens a new phase in the patriarchal narrative, transitioning from the life and death of Abraham to the subsequent generations. Following the account of Abraham's death and burial alongside Sarah in [Genesis 25:7-10](/genesis/25-7-10 "Abraham's Death and Burial"), the chapter first details Abraham's marriage to Keturah and the children born to them in [Genesis 25:1-4](/genesis/25-1-4 "Abraham's Descendants Through Keturah"). This immediately precedes the focus on Isaac, the son of promise, and his lineage. The genealogies of Abraham's other sons, like Jokshan mentioned in this verse, serve to complete the record of Abraham's direct descendants, demonstrating the vastness of his progeny, even as the narrative narrows its focus to the covenant line through Isaac and Jacob. This verse, therefore, functions as a bridge, acknowledging the broader family tree while setting the stage for the primary narrative of the covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, genealogies were not merely historical records; they were crucial for establishing identity, land rights, tribal alliances, and social status. The peoples mentioned in Genesis 25:3, such as Sheba and Dedan, were historically significant Arabian tribes known for their extensive trade networks, particularly in spices, incense, and gold. They inhabited regions in what is modern-day Saudi Arabia and Yemen. These tribes, as descendants of Abraham, would have shared a common ancestry with the Israelites, though not the same covenantal destiny. Their inclusion highlights the Bible's awareness of the broader geopolitical landscape and the origins of peoples with whom Israel would later interact, often commercially or militarily, as seen in prophetic books like [Isaiah 21:13](/isaiah/21-13 "Prophecy concerning Dedan") and [Ezekiel 27:22](/ezekiel/27-22 "Tyre's Trade with Sheba and Raamah").

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis. Foremost is the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Promises**, specifically the promise to Abraham that he would become the "father of many nations" ([Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "God's Covenant with Abraham")). The enumeration of these non-covenantal descendants demonstrates the literal, extensive fulfillment of this promise, even beyond the chosen line of Isaac. It also underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty in Human History**, showing how God orchestrates the formation and distribution of peoples across the earth. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of **Ancestral Origins and Identity**, providing a foundational understanding of the relationships between various ancient Near Eastern peoples, which would be crucial for understanding later biblical narratives concerning Israel's interactions with its neighbors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **begat (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to bear young; causatively, to beget." This term highlights the act of procreation and the continuation of lineage, central to biblical genealogies. It emphasizes the divine blessing of fruitfulness, even outside the direct covenant line, contributing to the promise of Abraham becoming the father of many nations.
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," referring to a son as a builder of the family name. In the widest sense, it can refer to literal offspring, descendants, or even collective groups like nations or tribes. Here, it signifies the emerging tribal entities from Dedan, indicating a proliferation of distinct peoples.
* **Leummim (Hebrew, _Lᵉʼummîym'_):** A plural form meaning "communities" or "nations." This name itself is significant, suggesting a numerous or diverse collection of groups that descended from Dedan, reinforcing the idea of the proliferation of Abraham's seed into many distinct peoples, fulfilling the broad scope of God's promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan."**: This initial clause establishes the direct progeny of Jokshan, one of Abraham's sons through Keturah. It identifies Sheba and Dedan as his immediate offspring, setting the stage for the further branching of Abraham's family tree. This highlights the ongoing fulfillment of God's promise of numerous descendants for Abraham, even through lines not directly tied to the covenant of promise.
* **"And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim."**: This second clause narrows the focus to Dedan's lineage, specifying three distinct tribal groups or clans that emerged from him. The use of "sons" (Hebrew: _bên_) in this context refers to collective entities rather than individual direct male offspring, indicating the formation of distinct peoples. These names—Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim—represent the specific tribal identities that would later populate regions of ancient Arabia, demonstrating the detailed and meticulous nature of biblical genealogies in tracing the origins of nations.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 25:3 primarily employs **Genealogy** and **Enumeration**. The entire verse serves as a genealogical record, meticulously tracing the lineage from Jokshan to his direct sons, Sheba and Dedan, and then further detailing the tribal descendants of Dedan. This **enumeration** of names is not merely a dry list but functions to demonstrate the literal fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding his numerous progeny. The specific naming of tribes like Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim (which itself means "peoples" or "nations") emphasizes the proliferation and diversification of Abraham's descendants into distinct national and tribal entities, reinforcing the theme of God's faithfulness in expanding Abraham's seed beyond the covenant line.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 25:3, though a brief genealogical entry, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a tangible demonstration of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the pledge to Abraham that he would be the "father of many nations" ([Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "God's Covenant with Abraham")). The inclusion of these non-covenantal lines underscores the vastness and literal fulfillment of this promise, showing Abraham's progeny extending far beyond the chosen line of Isaac. It also provides crucial insight into the origins of various ancient Near Eastern peoples, such as the Shebans and Dedanites, who would later interact with Israel, thereby laying a historical and geographical foundation for future biblical narratives. The meticulous detail, even for lineages outside the direct messianic line, highlights God's sovereign hand in the formation and distribution of all humanity, reflecting His comprehensive plan for all peoples.

* [Genesis 10:6-7](/genesis/10-6-7 "Sons of Ham and Cush's Descendants")
* [1 Chronicles 1:32](/1_chronicles/1-32 "Descendants of Abraham through Keturah")
* [Isaiah 60:6](/isaiah/60-6 "Nations bringing gifts to Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Genesis 25:3 might seem like a mere historical footnote, it offers a powerful reminder of God's meticulous attention to detail and His unwavering faithfulness across generations. This verse teaches us that God's grand plan unfolds through real people, real families, and real historical connections, even those that appear peripheral to the main narrative. It underscores the biblical emphasis on lineage and identity, showing how God orchestrates the tapestry of human history with purpose and precision. For believers today, this passage serves as a testament to God's commitment to fulfilling His promises, no matter how long it takes or how intricate the process. It encourages us to trust in His sovereign hand in our own lives, recognizing that even the seemingly mundane details of our existence are part of His larger, purposeful design. We are invited to see that God's plan encompasses all of humanity, and that every person, family, and nation plays a role in the unfolding of His divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of these genealogies, even for non-covenantal lines, deepen your understanding of God's faithfulness to His promises?**
* **What does the meticulous recording of these lineages suggest about the Bible's view of history and God's involvement in it?**
* **How can recognizing God's sovereign hand in the formation of ancient nations encourage you in your own life's journey and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why are such detailed genealogies, especially of Abraham's non-covenantal descendants, included in Scripture?**

Answer: Detailed genealogies, even of those outside the direct covenant line, serve several crucial purposes. First, they demonstrate the literal fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the "father of many nations" ([Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "God's promise to Abraham to be a father of many nations")), showing the vast extent of his progeny. Second, they provide essential historical context, explaining the origins of various peoples and nations (like the Shebans and Dedanites) who populated the ancient Near East and frequently interacted with Israel throughout its history. This helps readers understand later biblical narratives, such as the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon in [1 Kings 10](/1_kings/10 "The Queen of Sheba's Visit to Solomon") or the prophetic pronouncements against Dedan in [Jeremiah 49:8](/jeremiah/49-8 "Prophecy against Dedan"). Third, they underscore the Bible's commitment to historical accuracy and God's meticulous involvement in the formation and distribution of all peoples, not just the chosen nation of Israel, showcasing His universal sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though Genesis 25:3 details a lineage outside the direct messianic line of Isaac, it nevertheless contributes significantly to the broader Christ-centered narrative by illustrating the expansive fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. God's covenant with Abraham was not only that his seed would be numerous, but also that "in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "God's promise of blessing to all nations through Abraham's seed")). These genealogies of Abraham's other descendants, forming distinct nations like Sheba and Dedan, foreshadow the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. Ultimately, the blessing promised to Abraham would culminate in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Seed, through whom salvation and blessing are offered to *all* nations and peoples, regardless of their earthly lineage. The New Testament affirms this universal call, demonstrating that in Christ, there is "neither Jew nor Gentile" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ")), and that people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" will be redeemed ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "The Lamb who redeems from every tribe")). Thus, even these seemingly peripheral lineages in Genesis point to the vastness of God's plan to redeem a people for Himself from every corner of the earth through the atoning work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 25:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.

Job 6:19

The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

1 Kings 10:1

¶ And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.

Ezekiel 27:20

Dedan [was] thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.

Jeremiah 49:8

Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time [that] I will visit him.

Ezekiel 27:6

[Of] the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches [of] ivory, [brought] out of the isles of Chittim.

Jeremiah 25:23

Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all [that are] in the utmost corners,