Lexical Summary Yoqshan: Jokshan Original Word: יָקְשָׁן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jokshan From yaqosh; insidious; Jokshan, an Arabian patriarch -- Jokshan. see HEBREW yaqosh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yaqosh Definition a son of Abraham and Keturah NASB Translation Jokshan (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָקְשָׁן proper name, masculine son of Abraham and Keturah Genesis 25:2,3= 1 Chronicles 1:32 (twice in verse); ᵐ5 Ιεξαν; ᵐ5L Genesis 25:2,3Ιεκταν. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences Genesis 25:2 first introduces Jokshan as one of six sons born to Abraham by Keturah after Sarah’s death: “and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah”. His name reappears immediately in Genesis 25:3 and twice in the Chronicler’s genealogy (1 Chronicles 1:32), providing continuity between the Torah and the historical books. Genealogical Context Jokshan stands in the middle position among Keturah’s sons. Scripture notes two sons born to him—Sheba and Dedan—who themselves became progenitors of influential Arabian tribes. While Isaac alone received the covenant line (Genesis 17:19), Jokshan and his brothers are still called “sons of Abraham,” underscoring the breadth of Abraham’s physical posterity and God’s kindness in granting Abraham “many nations” (Genesis 17:5). Geographical and Ethnological Insights Ancient writers and modern archaeologists place Jokshan’s descendants in north-western Arabia, between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The names Sheba and Dedan appear repeatedly in passages dealing with trade caravans, incense, gold, and precious stones (for example, Isaiah 60:6; Ezekiel 27:20). These connections suggest that Jokshan’s line contributed to the flourishing commercial networks that linked the Near East and Africa. Theological and Covenantal Significance Although Jokshan does not participate directly in the redemptive line, his inclusion in Genesis emphasizes that God keeps every detail of His promise to multiply Abraham’s seed. Abraham “gave gifts” to the sons of Keturah and “sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east” (Genesis 25:6), illustrating a purposeful separation between covenant inheritance and temporal blessing. Jokshan’s record therefore reinforces two complementary truths: God’s elective purpose through Isaac and His universal benevolence toward all the patriarch’s offspring. Prophetic Resonances Centuries later, Sheba and Dedan appear in prophetic oracles concerning end-time judgments and the final ingathering of nations (Ezekiel 38:13). Because these tribes trace back to Jokshan, his brief appearance in Genesis forms an indispensable thread linking Abraham’s household to eschatological events. The prophets rely on the historical reality of Jokshan’s lineage to frame their visions of God’s global dealings. Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Faithfulness in Small Details: Jokshan illustrates how seemingly minor names in Scripture serve a larger narrative, encouraging careful, respectful study of every verse. Thus, Jokshan’s four brief mentions draw a line from Abraham’s tent to the trade routes of Arabia and on to the prophetic horizon, demonstrating that every recorded life fits coherently within God’s unfolding plan. Forms and Transliterations וְיָקְשָׁ֛ן וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן ויקשן יָקְשָׁ֔ן יָקְשָׁ֖ן יקשן veyakeShan wə·yā·qə·šān wəyāqəšān yā·qə·šān yakeShan yāqəšānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:2 HEB: זִמְרָן֙ וְאֶת־ יָקְשָׁ֔ן וְאֶת־ מְדָ֖ן NAS: to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan KJV: him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, INT: bore Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian Genesis 25:3 1 Chronicles 1:32 1 Chronicles 1:32 4 Occurrences |
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