1 Chronicles 1:32

Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.

Now the sons {H1121} of Keturah {H6989}, Abraham's {H85} concubine {H6370}: she bare {H3205} Zimran {H2175}, and Jokshan {H3370}, and Medan {H4091}, and Midian {H4080}, and Ishbak {H3435}, and Shuah {H7744}. And the sons {H1121} of Jokshan {H3370}; Sheba {H7614}, and Dedan {H1719}.

The sons of K'turah Avraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, Yokshan, Medan, Midyan, Yishbak and Shuach. The sons of Yokshan: Sh'va and D'dan.

The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.

And the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 1:32

1 Chronicles 1:32 presents a concise genealogical record of Abraham's descendants through Keturah, his concubine. This verse, situated within the extensive genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles, meticulously lists the sons born to Abraham by Keturah, and then further specifies the sons of Jokshan, one of Keturah's children.

Context

The Book of 1 Chronicles begins with a sweeping historical overview, starting from Adam and tracing the lineage of humanity down to the tribes of Israel. This meticulous record-keeping served to establish the identity, heritage, and tribal connections of the Israelite people, especially after their return from Babylonian exile. Verse 32 falls within the section detailing the descendants of Abraham, highlighting not only the primary covenant line through Isaac but also his other significant progeny. Keturah is introduced in Genesis 25:1-6, where Abraham takes her as a wife (or concubine, as Chronicles terms her) after Sarah's death, and has six more sons with her.

Key Themes

  • Extensive Progeny: This verse underscores the vast number of descendants Abraham had, which is part of the broader fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make him the father of many nations. While the covenant line passed through Isaac, these other sons also established significant tribes and peoples.
  • Historical Record: The inclusion of these names emphasizes the Chronicler's commitment to providing a comprehensive and accurate historical foundation for the nation of Israel. Every individual, even those not directly in the Messianic line, played a role in the tapestry of God's unfolding plan.
  • Interconnectedness of Peoples: The sons listed here, such as Midian, Sheba, and Dedan, represent tribes and regions that would later interact with Israel, sometimes as allies, sometimes as adversaries. The Midianites, for instance, are well-known from accounts like Moses' flight to Midian and later conflicts.

Linguistic Insights

The names listed in this verse—Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah, Sheba, and Dedan—are not merely arbitrary names but represent the progenitors of distinct tribal groups and geographical regions in the ancient Near East, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula. The term "concubine" (Hebrew: pilagesh) for Keturah signifies a secondary wife, whose children might not inherit equally with those of the primary wife but were still recognized as legitimate descendants.

Practical Application and Significance

While a list of names might seem dry, 1 Chronicles 1:32 reminds us of several profound truths:

  • God's Faithfulness: God's promises are meticulously fulfilled, even in ways beyond our immediate focus. Abraham was indeed the father of many nations, extending far beyond the direct lineage of Israel.
  • The Value of Every Detail: The Bible's inclusion of seemingly minor details, like these genealogies, underscores the importance of history, lineage, and the individual lives that collectively form the grand narrative of God's interaction with humanity.
  • Understanding Biblical Geography and History: Knowing the origins of groups like the Midianites or the peoples of Sheba and Dedan helps us better understand their roles in later biblical narratives and the broader geopolitical landscape of the ancient world.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 25:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name [was] Keturah.

  • Genesis 25:4 (4 votes)

    And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these [were] the children of Keturah.

  • Psalms 72:15 (2 votes)

    And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; [and] daily shall he be praised.

  • Judges 6:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

  • Judges 6:6 (2 votes)

    And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 27:20 (2 votes)

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

  • Numbers 25:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who [were] weeping [before] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.