What is the meaning of Genesis 25:1? Now • The word signals a transition from the events surrounding Isaac’s marriage (Genesis 24) to a fresh detail about Abraham’s life. • Scripture often uses “now” to knit together narratives, reminding us that God’s story moves forward with purpose (compare Ruth 1:1; Acts 9:1). • It cues readers that Abraham’s journey did not end with Isaac’s birth; God’s covenant blessings keep unfolding (Genesis 22:17–18). Abraham had taken • The phrase points to a completed action: Abraham, late in life, chose to marry again. • His initiative highlights ongoing vitality and responsibility even in advanced age, echoing how Caleb remained active at eighty-five (Joshua 14:10–11). • God’s promises to Abraham encompassed more than Isaac; other offspring would also play roles in shaping nations (Genesis 17:4–6). another wife • Scripture distinguishes Keturah from Sarah, underscoring that this marriage occurred after Sarah’s death (Genesis 23:2). • Polygamy appears descriptively in the patriarchal era (Genesis 16:3; 29:30), yet God’s redemptive plan still advances through imperfect human choices. • The children from this union form tribes in the Arabian region, fulfilling the word, “Many nations will come from you” (Genesis 17:6). named Keturah • Naming confirms her historical reality, rooting the narrative in concrete people rather than legend. • Her sons—Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah (Genesis 25:2)—become ancestors of peoples later interacting with Israel (Exodus 2:15; Judges 6:1). • Midian’s lineage through Keturah anticipates both opposition (Numbers 31:7) and blessing, as Moses’ wife Zipporah comes from Midian (Exodus 2:21). summary Genesis 25:1 shows that after Sarah’s passing, Abraham intentionally entered a new marriage with Keturah. This brief verse reminds us that God’s covenant promises to Abraham extended beyond Isaac, producing additional nations and setting the stage for future interactions with Israel. Even in old age, Abraham’s life remained fruitful, demonstrating the faithfulness of God to fulfill every detail of His word. |
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