קְטוּרָה

קְטוּרָה

Keturah, a wife of Abraham

Definition

Keturah is the name of a woman who became Abraham's wife after the death of Sarah (Genesis 25:1). She is described as a concubine in 1 Chronicles 1:32, a term indicating a secondary wife of lesser legal status. Through her, Abraham fathered six sons, including Midian, whose descendants became significant peoples in the biblical narrative (Genesis 25:2-4). Keturah's sons received gifts from Abraham but were sent away to the east, ensuring that Isaac remained the sole heir of the covenant promise (Genesis 25:5-6).

Biblical Usage

The name Keturah appears exclusively in genealogical contexts, specifically in Genesis 25:1-4 and the parallel genealogy in 1 Chronicles 1:32-33. In Genesis, she is introduced as Abraham's wife, while in Chronicles, she is listed among his concubines. This dual designation highlights her secondary status compared to Sarah. All four occurrences serve to trace the lineage of Abraham's descendants through this later marriage, connecting him to various Arabian tribes.

Etymology

Keturah (קְטוּרָה) is derived from the root קָטַר (qāṭar, H6999), meaning 'to burn incense' or 'to make sacrifices smoke.' It is the feminine passive participle form, meaning 'perfumed' or 'incensed.' The name likely describes someone who is fragrant or sweet-smelling, possibly alluding to incense used in ritual contexts.

Semantic Range

Keturah's story is theologically significant as it demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5). While Isaac is the child of the covenant promise, Keturah's descendants show the breadth of God's blessing through Abraham. Her narrative also illustrates the distinction between the line of promise (through Isaac) and other lines of physical descent, a theme central to understanding the biblical covenants. In the ancient Near East, taking a concubine or secondary wife after the death of a primary wife was a common practice to secure lineage and alliances. Keturah's status as both a 'wife' and later termed a 'concubine' reflects the fluidity and legal complexities of marital relationships in patriarchal societies. Sending her sons away with gifts, rather than a full inheritance, was a cultural method of providing for them while protecting the rights of the primary heir. פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pîylegesh, H6370) — The specific term for 'concubine' used for Keturah in 1 Chronicles 1:32, denoting a secondary wife with legal standing but not equal to a primary wife.

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