Lexical Summary Qeturah: Keturah Original Word: קְטוּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Keturah Feminine passive participle of qatar; perfumed; Keturah, a wife of Abraham -- Keturah. see HEBREW qatar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as qitor Definition a wife of Abraham NASB Translation Keturah (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְטוּרָה proper name, feminine wife of Abraham, after Sarah's death, Genesis 25:1,4; 1 Chronicles 1:32,33; Χεγγόρα Topical Lexicon Identity and Role in the Patriarchal Narratives Keturah appears in the post-Sarah chapters of Abraham’s life as the woman he “took as a wife” (Genesis 25:1). Scripture presents her neither as a mere footnote nor as a rival to Sarah, but as evidence of God’s ongoing blessing on Abraham and of his continued fruitfulness “afterward.” The text’s placement of her story—immediately following Abraham’s burial of Sarah and preceding his own death—underscores the orderly transition of covenant history: the promised line through Isaac stands secure, while Keturah’s offspring broaden Abraham’s influence among the nations. Genealogical Significance Genesis 25:2–4 and 1 Chronicles 1:32–33 trace six sons through Keturah: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Their descendants populate regions stretching from Arabia to the Sinai and northeastern Africa. The Midianites, in particular, become prominent in later biblical events: Thus Keturah’s line becomes interwoven with Israel’s history, at times as benefactors, at times as adversaries, always serving God’s larger purposes. Theological and Redemptive Threads 1. Expansion of the Blessing: Through Keturah, Abraham fathers tribes that enlarge the territorial and ethnic scope of the promise, anticipating the blessing “to all nations” (Genesis 12:3). Scriptural Occurrences • Genesis 25:1 – Introduction of Keturah as Abraham’s wife. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Faithfulness Across Seasons: Abraham’s fruitful marriage to Keturah in his advanced age testifies that God’s calling endures beyond one season of life. Ministry opportunities may arise later than expected, yet remain within divine design. Historical Resonance Early Jewish tradition sometimes labels Keturah “the incense-bearing one,” a reminder that her legacy, like fragrant smoke, extends far beyond what the narrative explicitly records. Church fathers cited her to illustrate God’s sovereign use of non-covenant peoples. Missions history often draws from her account to encourage outreach to Arab and African peoples rooted in Abrahamic heritage. Summary Statement Keturah stands as a testimony to God’s expansive yet ordered blessing: distinct from but harmonious with the covenant line, her offspring become instruments in salvation history, and her account urges believers to embrace God’s ongoing purposes among all nations. Forms and Transliterations קְטוּרָ֜ה קְטוּרָֽה׃ קטורה קטורה׃ ketuRah qə·ṭū·rāh qəṭūrāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:1 HEB: אִשָּׁ֖ה וּשְׁמָ֥הּ קְטוּרָֽה׃ NAS: wife, whose name was Keturah. KJV: a wife, and her name [was] Keturah. INT: wife name was Keturah Genesis 25:4 1 Chronicles 1:32 1 Chronicles 1:33 4 Occurrences |
    |