feminine passive participle of קָטַר; perfumed; Keturah, a wife of Abraham; Keturah.
Transliteration:Qᵉṭûwrâh
Pronunciation:ket-oo-raw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma קְטוּרָה (Qᵉṭûwrâh, `{{H6989}}`) is a feminine passive participle derived from the verbal root קָטַר (qāṭar), which signifies "to burn incense," "to cause to smoke," or "to offer a sacrifice by burning." Therefore, the etymological meaning of Qeturah is "perfumed," "incensed," or "one who has been offered as a fragrant offering." In the biblical text, however, this word functions exclusively as a proper noun, identifying a specific individual. Its semantic range is thus confined to the personal name of Abraham's wife or concubine, with the underlying etymological meaning providing a subtle, perhaps symbolic, layer of understanding.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Qeturah appears in two primary biblical passages: [[Genesis 25:1-6]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:32-33]].
In [[Genesis 25:1]], she is introduced as a woman whom Abraham "again took" after the death of Sarah, stating, "Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah." The subsequent verses, [[Genesis 25:2-4]], enumerate the six sons she bore to Abraham: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah, along with their descendants. This detailed listing underscores her role in expanding Abraham's extensive lineage. [[Genesis 25:6]] further clarifies her status and the disposition of her sons, noting that Abraham "gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward, to the east country." This act highlights Isaac's unique position as the sole heir of the covenant promise. The account in [[1 Chronicles 1:32-33]] reiterates this information, explicitly identifying Keturah as Abraham's "concubine" (פִּילֶגֶשׁ, *pîlegeš*) and listing her sons, thereby confirming her status in the genealogical records. The consistent mention of her sons is crucial for tracing the origins of various tribes, such as the Midianites, who would later interact with the nation of Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root verb from which Qeturah is derived, קָטַר (qāṭar), is frequently associated with the burning of incense or sacrificial offerings that produce smoke and a fragrant aroma, often pleasing to God (e.g., `{{H6999}}`, `{{H7000}}`). Examples include the burning of incense on the altar in the tabernacle ([[Exodus 30:7-8]]) or the ascent of the pleasing aroma from burnt offerings ([[Leviticus 1:9]]). The concept of "perfume" or "fragrance" (e.g., `{{H5207}}`, `{{H7381}}`) is broadly linked to beauty, anointing, and sometimes, in negative contexts, to idolatrous practices. In Keturah's case, her name subtly connotes a pleasant or attractive quality. The term "concubine" (פִּילֶגֶשׁ, `{{H6370}}`), used in [[1 Chronicles 1:32]], is a critical related concept, delineating Keturah's legal and social standing within Abraham's household. While she bore children to Abraham, her status as a concubine differentiated her from Sarah, the primary wife, particularly concerning inheritance rights and the lineage of the covenant. Furthermore, the broader concept of "genealogy" (יוֹחֲסִין, `{{H3187}}`) is central to understanding Keturah's narrative purpose, as she serves to establish the paternal links for various peoples who would later be encountered by Israel.
### Theological Significance
Though briefly mentioned, Keturah's narrative carries several theological implications. Firstly, her existence and the birth of her numerous sons after Sarah's death serve as a testament to God's continued blessing and faithfulness to Abraham, reinforcing the divine promise to make him a "father of many nations" ([[Genesis 17:4-5]]). This demonstrates God's sustained power to grant fertility. Secondly, the explicit distinction made between Isaac and Keturah's sons, with Abraham sending the latter away with gifts ([[Genesis 25:6]]), underscores the unique and singular nature of the covenant line established through Isaac. This emphasizes that while Abraham was indeed the progenitor of many peoples, the specific promise of a chosen nation and the lineage leading to the Messiah would flow exclusively through Isaac. Thirdly, the detailed enumeration of Keturah's descendants, particularly the Midianites, provides crucial genealogical links for future interactions between Israel and these surrounding nations. This highlights the Bible's meticulous record-keeping and its comprehensive view of history, often showing the common ancestry of peoples who would later become adversaries or allies of Israel. Her name, "perfumed," though not expounded upon, may subtly connect her to themes of pleasantness or a pleasing offering, echoing the language of worship, even if not directly implying a cultic role for her.
### Summary
Qeturah (`{{H6989}}`), meaning "perfumed" or "incensed," is a pivotal figure in the patriarchal narratives, identified as Abraham's wife or concubine following Sarah's passing. Her biblical appearances in [[Genesis 25:1-6]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:32-33]] are significant primarily for her role as the mother of six sons, who became the progenitors of various tribes, most notably the Midianites. While her presence affirms God's ongoing blessing on Abraham's fertility, the narrative meticulously distinguishes her lineage from that of Isaac, thereby emphasizing the exclusive nature of the covenant promise through Isaac. Her name, derived from the root קָטַר (qāṭar), subtly evokes concepts of pleasantness and offerings, linking her etymologically to themes of fragrance and worship, even as her primary function within the biblical text is to establish critical genealogical connections.
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