יִשְׁבָּק
Jishbak, a son of Abraham
Definition
Yishbâq (Jishbak) is a proper name given to one of the six sons born to Abraham and his concubine Keturah, as recorded in Genesis 25:2 and 1 Chronicles 1:32. The name is understood to mean 'he will leave' or 'he will forsake.' As a son of Abraham, Jishbak is part of the extended lineage of the patriarch, though he and his brothers are explicitly set apart from the line of promise through Isaac (Genesis 25:5-6). His inclusion in the genealogical lists signifies his place within Abraham's physical descendants, who were sent away with gifts to the east, establishing other nations.
Biblical Usage
The name Yishbâq appears only twice in the Old Testament, exclusively in genealogical contexts. It is listed among the sons of Abraham by Keturah in Genesis 25:2 and is repeated in the parallel genealogy in 1 Chronicles 1:32. There is no narrative or dialogue associated with the name; its usage is purely for lineage documentation, connecting Abraham to various Arabian tribes.
Etymology
The name Yishbâq is derived from an unused Hebrew root corresponding to the Aramaic verb שְׁבַק (shᵉvaq, H7662), which means 'to leave, forsake, or let alone.' It is a verbal form (likely a yiphil imperfect) meaning 'he will leave.' This etymological meaning may reflect the historical reality that Jishbak and his brothers were 'left' or sent away from Isaac, the heir of the promise.
Semantic Range
While Jishbak himself is not a central theological figure, his inclusion in Scripture highlights God's faithfulness to His promise to make Abraham a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5). The separation of Jishbak and the other sons of Keturah from Isaac underscores the distinct, covenantal line through which God's redemptive plan would unfold. It illustrates the biblical theme of election and the distinction between the physical descendants of Abraham and the children of the promise.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, names often carried significant meaning related to circumstances, hopes, or character. The name 'he will leave' for a son sent away from the family inheritance aligns with the practice of naming children for their destined role or situation. As a son of Abraham sent eastward, Jishbak is traditionally associated with the origins of certain Arabian tribes, reflecting the geopolitical landscape resulting from patriarchal family divisions.
None directly applicable as a proper name. For the concept of 'leaving,' see: עָזַב (ʿāzav, H5800) — a more common Hebrew verb for forsaking or leaving.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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