In brief
Keturah is the woman Abraham takes after the account of Sarah’s death and Isaac’s marriage. She bears him six sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah, ancestors of peoples of the East, including the Midianites. Genesis 25 presents her as a wife, 1 Chronicles 1 as a concubine. Abraham gives gifts to her sons but sends them away from Isaac, the only heir of the promise. Her story takes a few verses and shows that Abraham’s blessing overflows to many, while the promise passes through one son.
What does the name Keturah mean?
Keturah is generally linked to a Hebrew root connected with incense or rising perfume. The Bible gives no explanation of her name. It calls her “wife” in Genesis 25:1 and “concubine” in 1 Chronicles 1:32.
The story of Keturah
A new wife for Abraham
Genesis 25:1-2After Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah, the account notes: “Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.” She bears him six sons. Nothing is said of her origin, her age or her feelings. She enters the story through her children, at a time when Abraham, old and blessed in everything, continues to live fruitfully.
A numerous line
Genesis 25:3-4The text lists Keturah’s grandsons, notably through Jokshan and Midian, and concludes: “All these were the children of Keturah.” Midian gives his name to the Midianites, a people met again with Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, and later as an adversary of Israel in Gideon’s time. The promise that Abraham would be father of nations takes shape.
Gifts, but not the inheritance
Genesis 25:5-6“Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines.” While he still lives, he sends these sons away from Isaac, to the east country. Abraham draws a clear line between generosity toward all his children and the inheritance of the promise, reserved for the son God gave him through Sarah.
Remembered in the genealogies
1 Chronicles 1:32-33Centuries later, the Chronicler repeats the list: “The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine.” The same six names, the same grandsons. Then he moves on: “Abraham became the father of Isaac.” Keturah is not forgotten, but the thread of the biblical story continues through Isaac, Jacob and the tribes of Israel.
What Keturah teaches us
- God’s blessing on a life can overflow far beyond what was promised.
- Being generous to everyone does not prevent you from recognizing what God has reserved for one alone: the promise cannot be shared out.
- You can have a quiet place in God’s story without being at the center of his promise, and still matter.
- God keeps his word to the letter: Abraham became the father of a multitude of peoples.
Key verses
Abraham takes Keturah as a wife and she bears him six sons. A sober verse that opens a numerous line outside the line of the promise.
All the goods go to Isaac, gifts to the other sons, who are sent to the east. Abraham keeps the distinction between general blessing and promised inheritance.
The Chronicler calls Keturah “Abraham’s concubine” and lists her sons, then returns to Isaac: Israel’s memory keeps her name without placing her at the center.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Keturah
Frequently asked questions
Was Keturah Abraham’s wife or his concubine?
Both words are used. Genesis 25:1 says Abraham “took another wife, and her name was Keturah,” and Genesis 25:6 speaks of “Abraham’s concubines.” 1 Chronicles 1:32 calls her “Abraham’s concubine.” In the biblical world, a concubine is a secondary wife whose sons do not inherit like the principal son.
What does the name Keturah mean?
The name Keturah is generally linked to a Hebrew root connected with incense or rising fragrant smoke. The Bible does not comment on the name and says nothing of Keturah’s origin. So we cannot go further than this kinship of words, nor draw conclusions about her person.
Where can I find the story of Keturah in the Bible?
Keturah appears in Genesis 25:1-6, just before Abraham’s death, with the list of her six sons and their descendants. 1 Chronicles 1:32-33 repeats this list in Abraham’s genealogy. The Bible tells no other episode of her life.