זִמְרָן
Zimran, a son of Abraham by Keturah
Definition
Zimran is a proper name referring to one of the six sons born to Abraham and his wife Keturah, as recorded in Genesis 25:2 and 1 Chronicles 1:32. As a son of Abraham, he is part of the lineage through which Abraham was promised to become 'the father of many nations' (Genesis 17:4-5). The biblical text provides no further narrative about Zimran himself, but his inclusion in the genealogical lists establishes him as a founder of an Arabian tribe or people group descended from Abraham, distinct from the line of Isaac and Ishmael.
Biblical Usage
The name Zimran is used exclusively in two Old Testament genealogical passages. It appears in the foundational list in Genesis 25:1-4, detailing Abraham's descendants through Keturah after Sarah's death. It is repeated in the condensed genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 1:32-33. In both contexts, the name functions solely to identify an individual within the lineage of Abraham, with no associated narrative events.
Etymology
The name Zimran (זִמְרָן) is derived from the Hebrew root זָמַר (zāmar, H2167), which primarily means 'to sing, to make music,' or 'to prune/vine-dress.' As a personal name, it is likely descriptive, meaning 'musician,' 'singer,' or 'praiser.' This connects it to a theme of celebration or cultivation. It shares this root with the word for 'psalm' (מִזְמוֹר, mizmôr).
Semantic Range
Zimran's theological significance lies in his role in fulfilling God's covenant promise to Abraham. While the primary covenant lineage flows through Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Zimran represents the fulfillment that Abraham would indeed be the father of 'many nations' (Genesis 17:4-5). His existence demonstrates the physical multiplication of Abraham's offspring, even through secondary lines, underscoring the faithfulness of God to His expansive promises. Understanding this enriches the reading of genealogies by seeing them as records of God's covenant faithfulness in action.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, names often carried meaningful descriptions or hopes. A name derived from 'to sing' or 'to prune' may have indicated a hoped-for character trait, familial trade, or connection to celebratory worship. As a son of Abraham by Keturah, Zimran would have been part of the gifts Abraham gave to his other sons before his death, sending them away from Isaac 'eastward to the east country' (Genesis 25:6). This established him as a progenitor of tribes in the Arabian peninsula, distinct from the Israelites.
None directly applicable as a proper name. For the root meaning: זָמַר (zāmar, H2167) — the root verb meaning 'to sing, praise, or prune' from which the name is derived.
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.
Full methodology & sources →