The Hebrew name Zimrân, represented by H2175, means musical and identifies a son of Abraham. The name appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, placing him within the genealogical records of the patriarch Abraham's descendants through his wife Keturah.
Zimran is exclusively mentioned in two parallel genealogical lists. In Genesis, he is named as the first son that Keturah bare H3205 to Abraham, followed by his brothers Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah Genesis 25:2. The book of 1 Chronicles reiterates this lineage, identifying Keturah as Abraham's concubine H6370 and listing Zimran as the first of her sons H1121 1 Chronicles 1:32. These entries establish his identity as a progenitor of one of the tribes descending from Abraham.
Several related words help define Zimran's place within the biblical narrative:
- H85 ʼAbrâhâm (father of a multitude; Abraham): Zimran's father, the patriarch from whom many nations descended 1 Chronicles 1:32.
- H6989 Qᵉṭûwrâh (perfumed; Keturah): Zimran's mother and a wife of Abraham, identified as his concubine in the Chronicles account 1 Chronicles 1:32.
- H3370 Yoqshân (insidious; Jokshan, an Arabian patriarch): Zimran's brother, who is listed alongside him in both genealogical accounts and whose own sons were Sheba and Dedan (Genesis 25:2, 1 Chronicles 1:32).
- H1121 bên (a son): This word is used to define Zimran's relationship to Keturah and, by extension, to Abraham 1 Chronicles 1:32. The term is fundamental to establishing lineage throughout scripture.
- H6370 pîylegesh (a concubine): This term describes Keturah's status and clarifies the standing of her sons, who received gifts from Abraham but were sent away from Isaac, the son of the covenant Genesis 25:6.
The theological significance of H2175 is tied to his role in Abraham's lineage.
- Fulfillment of Promise: Zimran's birth is part of the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham H85 a "father of a multitude." He and his brothers represent the expansion of Abraham's descendants beyond the primary covenant line.
- Genealogical Distinction: The scriptures make a distinction between the sons of wives and the sons of concubines H6370. While the sons of Keturah were part of Abraham's household, they were sent eastward, away from Isaac, to establish their own peoples Genesis 25:6.
- Historical Record: The inclusion of Zimran in the detailed genealogies of both Genesis and 1 Chronicles underscores the importance of historical and tribal identity, tracing the origins of various groups in the ancient Near East back to a common ancestor.
In summary, H2175 Zimrân is a genealogical figure whose importance lies in his identity as a son of Abraham through Keturah. Though he has no narrative role, his name is recorded in scripture to document the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and to provide a historical account of the origins of the peoples who descended from him.
TRV