Jokshan
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Topical Encyclopedia
Jokshan is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is recognized as one of the sons of Abraham through Keturah, whom Abraham married after the death of Sarah. The account of Jokshan and his lineage is found in Genesis 25:1-4, which states: "Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah" .

Genealogy and Descendants

Jokshan is listed as the second son of Abraham and Keturah. His name, in Hebrew, is יָקְשָׁן (Yoqshan), which some scholars suggest may mean "snarer" or "fowler." The genealogical records in Genesis further detail that Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. Genesis 25:3 states: "Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites" .

Cultural and Historical Context

The descendants of Jokshan, particularly through his sons Sheba and Dedan, are often associated with regions and tribes in the Arabian Peninsula. Sheba is frequently linked to the Sabeans, a people known for their wealth and trade, particularly in spices and precious stones. Dedan is similarly associated with a trading community, possibly located in the northwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

The mention of Jokshan and his descendants highlights the expansion of Abraham's lineage beyond Isaac and Ishmael, indicating the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). The genealogies serve to trace the spread of Abraham's descendants and their influence across different regions.

Theological Significance

Jokshan's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the broader scope of God's covenant with Abraham. While the primary focus of the Abrahamic covenant is through Isaac, the son of promise, the mention of Jokshan and his brothers through Keturah illustrates the multiplicity of Abraham's offspring and the diverse nations that would emerge from him. This diversity is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and the unfolding of His plan for humanity.

In the broader biblical context, the descendants of Jokshan, like those of Ishmael, play a role in the unfolding history of the Near East, interacting with the Israelites and other neighboring peoples. The genealogies in Genesis serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the nations and the overarching narrative of God's redemptive work through history.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jokshan

an offense; hardness; a knocking

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jokshan

(fowler), a son of Abraham and Keturah, (Genesis 25:2,3; 1 Chronicles 1:32) whose sons were Sheba and Dedan.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Jokshan

The second son of Abraham and Keturah, ancestor of the Sabeans and Dedanites of Southern Arabia, Genesis 25:1-3.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Snarer, the second son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2, 3; 1 Chronicles 1:32).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JOKSHAN

jok'-shan (yoqshan, meaning unknown): Son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:2, 3 parallel 1 Chronicles 1:32). Tuch suggested that yoqshan = yoqTan (Genesis 10:25-29); see HDB, under the word; Skinner, Gen, 350.

Strong's Hebrew
3370. Yoqshan -- a son of Abraham and Keturah
... 3369, 3370. Yoqshan. 3371 . a son of Abraham and Keturah. Transliteration:
Yoqshan Phonetic Spelling: (yok-shawn') Short Definition: Jokshan. ... Jokshan. ...
/hebrew/3370.htm - 6k
Library

Chapter xxv
... (KS361 a, 369 m). 2-4. And she bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian
and Ishbak and Shuah. And Jokshan begat Sheba and Dedan. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Thesaurus
Jokshan (3 Occurrences)
...JOKSHAN. jok'-shan (yoqshan, meaning unknown): Son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis
25:2, 3 parallel 1 Chronicles 1:32). ...Jokshan (3 Occurrences). ...
/j/jokshan.htm - 8k

Dedan (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) A son of Jokshan, Abraham's son by Keturah (1 Chronicles 1:32). ... Genesis
25:3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. ...
/d/dedan.htm - 11k

Zimran (2 Occurrences)
... Zimran (2 Occurrences). Genesis 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian,
Ishbak, and Shuah. ... The sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. ...
/z/zimran.htm - 8k

Ishbak (2 Occurrences)
... Ishbak (2 Occurrences). Genesis 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian,
Ishbak, and Shuah. ... The sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. ...
/i/ishbak.htm - 7k

Medan (2 Occurrences)
... Medan (2 Occurrences). Genesis 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian,
Ishbak, and Shuah. ... The sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. ...
/m/medan.htm - 7k

Shuah (5 Occurrences)
... Shuah (5 Occurrences). Genesis 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian,
Ishbak, and Shuah. ... The sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. ...
/s/shuah.htm - 9k

Mid'ian (47 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:2 And she bore him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak,
and Shuah. (See RSV). ... And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. (See RSV). ...
/m/mid'ian.htm - 20k

Keturah (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 1:32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran,
and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. ...
/k/keturah.htm - 9k

Ketu'rah (4 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 1:32 And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore
Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. ...
/k/ketu'rah.htm - 7k

Sabaeans
... 28; and 25:3 respectively to have been (1) a son of Raamah, the 4th son of Cush;
(2) the 10th son of Joktan, son of Eber; (3) the 1st son of Jokshan, 2nd son ...
/s/sabaeans.htm - 9k

Resources
What is the significance of Midian in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Midianites? | GotQuestions.org

How many sons did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

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