The Hebrew word Yishbâq, represented by H3435, is the proper name Ishbak. The name means "he will leave" and refers specifically to one of the sons of Abraham. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, placing him within the genealogical records of the patriarchs.
Ishbak is identified in Scripture as a son of Abraham born to him by Keturah Genesis 25:2. His name appears in genealogical lists that document the expansion of Abraham's family. The record in 1 Chronicles confirms this lineage, listing Ishbak among the sons of Keturah, who is identified as Abraham's concubine 1 Chronicles 1:32. He is consistently named alongside his brothers, including Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, and Shuah.
Several related words clarify Ishbak's position within the patriarchal family structure:
- H85 ʼAbrâhâm (Abraham): The patriarch, defined as "father of a multitude." Ishbak is one of his many sons 1 Chronicles 1:32.
- H6989 Qᵉṭûwrâh (Keturah): Defined as "perfumed," she was a wife of Abraham and the mother of Ishbak and his brothers 1 Chronicles 1:32.
- H1121 bên (son): This word, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name)," defines Ishbak's relationship to Abraham and is used to list his nephews, Sheba and Dedan 1 Chronicles 1:32.
- H6370 pîylegesh (concubine): This term is used to describe Keturah in the 1 Chronicles account, distinguishing her sons from Isaac, the son of promise 1 Chronicles 1:32.
The narrative significance of H3435 is tied to his place in Abraham's lineage and the distinction made among Abraham's children.
- Genealogical Record: Ishbak's inclusion in the biblical record contributes to the accounting of Abraham's descendants, showing the breadth of his family.
- Distinction of Inheritance: As a son of a concubine H6370, Ishbak was among those to whom Abraham gave gifts before sending them "away from Isaac his son... eastward, unto the east country" Genesis 25:6.
- Progenitor of Peoples: Ishbak is listed with brothers like Midian H4080 and nephews like Sheba H7614 and Dedan H1719, who became progenitors of tribes and nations, illustrating how Abraham's descendants populated the land.
In summary, H3435 Ishbak is a minor but specific figure in the Old Testament. His name is preserved exclusively in the genealogies of Abraham's family through Keturah. While not a central character, his presence in these lists is important for understanding the scope of Abraham's family and the specific administrative and covenantal distinctions God made among his sons.
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