Genesis 25:4

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:4 meticulously records the five sons of Midian—Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah—thereby detailing a significant branch of Abraham's extensive lineage through his later wife, Keturah. This precise genealogical entry not only underscores the historical veracity of the biblical narrative but also powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises of multiplying Abraham's descendants into a vast multitude.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 25 opens with Abraham's marriage to Keturah and the birth of six sons, establishing a new branch of his family alongside Isaac's lineage. Verses 1-4 provide a concise genealogy of Keturah's offspring, with verse 4 specifically listing the sons of Midian. This section serves to complete the record of Abraham's immediate family before the narrative shifts to his death and burial in verses 7-11, and then to the descendants of Ishmael in verses 12-18. The inclusion of these genealogies, though seemingly dry, is crucial in Genesis, as they systematically trace the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific family lines, demonstrating the fulfillment of divine promises and setting the stage for the emergence of various nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, genealogies were far more than mere family trees; they were vital historical documents that established identity, inheritance rights, tribal affiliations, and national origins. They served as a record of a people's past, validating their claims to land, status, and covenantal blessings. For Abraham, a patriarch whose descendants were promised to become a great nation, the meticulous recording of all his offspring, even those not in the direct line of promise (like Ishmael's and Keturah's sons), reinforces the magnitude of God's blessing and the literal fulfillment of His word. The Midianites, descended from the sons listed in this verse, would become a prominent nomadic people, interacting significantly with Israel in later biblical history, often as adversaries, highlighting the ancient world's complex tribal dynamics.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within the broader narrative of Abraham's life and legacy, contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it powerfully reiterates the theme of **Divine Faithfulness to Covenant Promises**. God had promised Abraham countless descendants, and even in his old age, through Keturah, Abraham's family continued to expand, fulfilling the divine decree found in passages like [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise of Innumerable Descendants") and [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "The Blessing of Multitude"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Genealogical Precision and Historical Veracity**, highlighting the Bible's commitment to recording accurate historical records as a foundation for its theological claims. This meticulous detail underscores the reality of God's work in history through specific individuals and families. Lastly, it touches upon the **Formation of Peoples and Nations**, showing how Abraham's seed branched out to form various distinct ethnic groups, such as the Midianites, whose future interactions with Israel would become part of God's sovereign plan for the nations, as seen in the accounts of [Exodus 2:15-21](/exodus/2-15-21 "Moses in Midian") and [Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1-6 "Midianite Oppression of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên_):** H1121, 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.). This word emphasizes the role of these individuals in continuing the family line and building up the lineage, a concept central to ancient Near Eastern societies and Abraham's covenant.
* **Midian (Hebrew, _Midyân_):** H4080, the same as מִדְיָן; Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants. This name refers not only to Abraham's son but also to the significant people group and geographical region that would bear his name, highlighting the direct link between the individual and the collective identity of a nation.
* **Keturah (Hebrew, _Qᵉṭûwrâh_):** H6989, feminine passive participle of קָטַר; perfumed. Keturah, a wife of Abraham. Her name, meaning "perfumed," might allude to her status or perhaps a characteristic, but more importantly, she represents a distinct branch of Abraham's family, through whom God's promise of numerous descendants continued to unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Midian;":** This clause introduces the specific genealogical focus of the verse, narrowing the scope from Keturah's six sons (mentioned in [Genesis 25:2](/genesis/25-2 "Keturah's Sons")) to the offspring of one particular son, Midian. It sets up the enumeration of his direct descendants, emphasizing the generational continuity and expansion of Abraham's family.
* **"Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah.":** This is a precise enumeration of Midian's five sons. The naming of each individual underscores the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, which served as vital records for tribal identity and historical lineage in the ancient world. These individuals are the progenitors of the Midianite clans, who would later play a significant role in Israel's history.
* **"All these were the children of Keturah.":** This concluding statement serves as a reiteration and confirmation of the familial connection. It clarifies that while these five individuals are the sons of Midian, they are ultimately part of the larger family of Abraham through Keturah, reinforcing the expansive nature of Abraham's progeny and the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply his seed.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 25:4 is **Genealogy**, which is a pervasive feature throughout the book of Genesis. This verse, like many others, functions as part of a larger genealogical record, meticulously tracing the lineage of key figures and the origins of various peoples. The use of **Enumeration** is also evident, as the verse explicitly lists the five sons by name. This precise listing serves to establish historical accuracy and to provide a clear record of the family's expansion. While seemingly straightforward, these devices are crucial for the biblical narrative's foundational claims, demonstrating the fulfillment of divine promises and establishing the historical context for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific family lines.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 25:4, though a brief genealogical entry, carries profound theological weight, reinforcing the unwavering faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. The meticulous recording of Abraham's diverse progeny, extending even through Keturah, demonstrates God's commitment to fulfilling His word to multiply Abraham's descendants beyond measure, a promise made when Abraham was childless and old. This verse highlights that God's plan is comprehensive, encompassing not only the direct line of promise through Isaac but also the broader family of Abraham, from whom many nations would emerge. It underscores the historical reality of the biblical narrative, where divine promises are concretely manifested in the formation of real peoples and tribes, providing a tangible foundation for the unfolding of redemptive history.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Make Abraham a Great Nation")
* [Romans 4:16-18](/romans/4-16-18 "Abraham, Father of Many Nations Through Faith")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "God Determines the Times and Boundaries of Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Even in what might appear to be a simple list of names, Genesis 25:4 offers rich ground for reflection. It reminds us that God's faithfulness is not limited to the grand, dramatic moments of salvation history, but extends to the meticulous details of lineage and the quiet unfolding of His promises over generations. This verse underscores the value God places on every individual and every family line, demonstrating His sovereign hand in orchestrating the origins of nations and peoples. It challenges us to see the divine purpose in seemingly ordinary or overlooked aspects of life, recognizing that God works through diverse means to accomplish His overarching plan. Just as God meticulously recorded the descendants of Abraham, He is intimately involved in the details of our lives, faithfully guiding and fulfilling His purposes for us, even when we cannot fully discern them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed nature of biblical genealogies, like Genesis 25:4, deepen your trust in the historical reliability of Scripture and God's meticulous providence?**
* **In what ways does this verse, by showing God's faithfulness to Abraham's numerous descendants, encourage you about God's faithfulness to His promises in your own life?**
* **How can recognizing God's sovereign hand in the formation of diverse nations (even those who later became adversaries of Israel) shape your perspective on global events and the diversity of humanity?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible include such detailed genealogies for seemingly minor figures?**

Answer: Genealogies like [Genesis 25:4](/genesis/25-4 "The Sons of Midian") serve several crucial purposes. They establish historical accuracy and verify the fulfillment of God's promises, particularly regarding Abraham's numerous descendants, as promised in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's Promise of Innumerable Descendants"). They also trace the origins of various nations and tribes, providing essential context for their later interactions with Israel, such as the Midianites' encounters with Moses in [Exodus 2:15](/exodus/2-15 "Moses Flees to Midian") and Gideon in [Judges 6:1](/judges/6-1 "Israel Oppressed by Midian"). Ultimately, these meticulous records meticulously trace the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, affirming the historical reality of God's redemptive plan.

**Who were the Midianites and what was their significance?**

Answer: The Midianites were a nomadic people descended from Abraham through his son Midian, whose sons are listed in [Genesis 25:4](/genesis/25-4 "The Sons of Midian"). They were significant because they frequently interacted with Israel throughout biblical history. Sometimes they were allies, as seen with Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, in [Exodus 3:1](/exodus/3-1 "Moses and Jethro"). However, they often acted as adversaries, notably oppressing Israel during the time of the Judges before being decisively defeated by Gideon, as recounted in [Judges 7:16-25](/judges/7-16-25 "Gideon Defeats Midian"). Their story illustrates God's sovereign control over all nations and their roles in His unfolding plan for His chosen people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 25:4 focuses on a branch of Abraham's descendants not directly in the Messianic line, it powerfully contributes to the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, which ultimately culminates in Christ. The meticulous recording of Abraham's vast progeny, even through Keturah's sons, underscores the historical reality and divine precision with which God prepared the world for the coming of the Savior. It demonstrates God's capacity to bring forth a multitude from one man, foreshadowing the spiritual multitude of believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language who would be brought into God's family through Christ. As the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, Jesus fulfills the promise that through Abraham, all the families of the earth would be blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Through faith in Him, both Jew and Gentile become spiritual descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise, as articulated in [Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Those of Faith are Sons of Abraham") and [Romans 4:16-17](/romans/4-16-17 "Abraham, Father of Many Nations"). Thus, this seemingly minor genealogical detail points to the expansive, global reach of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ, the true and final fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.

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

Isaiah 60:6

The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.