Keturah

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For the kibbutz in the far south of Israel, see Ketura (Kibbutz).

According to the Hebrew Bible, Keturah or Ketura (Hebrew: קְטוּרָה, Standard Qətura Tiberian Qəṭûrāh ; "Incense") was the woman whom Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites, married after the death of his wife, Sarah. Her nationality is unknown. Keturah bore Abraham six sons, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. (Genesis 25:1-6)

Abraham married her probably after Sarah's death (Gen 23:1). If that is correct, Abraham would have been at least 137 years of age at the time of Sarah's death^[1], and was in bad health (Gen 24:1).

Keturah is styled "Abraham's concubine" in 1Chronicles 1:32. She is described as his concubine to indicate that she was not considered to be of the same dignity as Sarah, the mother of the chosen son, Isaac. It is probably also for this reason that the sons of Abraham's concubines were separated from Isaac. There is no indication when that happened, other than during his lifetime. He died at the age of 175.^[2]. Keturah was the mother of 6 sons representing Arab tribes South and East of Palestine, so that through the offspring of Keturah Abraham became "the father of many nations", foretold in Genesis 17:4.

Midrashic legends identify Keturah with Hagar, stating that Abraham sought her out after Sarah's death.

Keturah is also the namesake of the kibbutz Ketura.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Easton's Bible Dictionary: Keturah
• I.S.B.E.

[edit] See also