Zimran

October 21, 2014

The descendents of Abraham by Keturah (1 Chr 1:32-1:33)

“These are the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine. She bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the descendants of Keturah.”

This section is based on Genesis, chapter 25. Keturah is like the 3rd wife of Abraham, but she is only called a concubine. There is no indication of a time frame, after Sarah’s death or during her lifetime. If after her death he would have been over 137 years old when he had these 6 children. Somehow he was more fertile with Keturah. In fact, there may have been other concubines. Abraham gave everything to Isaac, who was lucky since he had a hard time with Ishmael. Abraham gave these children of Keturah gifts and sent them away from Isaac to the east country. We might call these people the wandering Arabs. This was an attempt to show how other Arab tribes can be traced to Abraham. Three of these children are only mentioned here and nowhere else except in the Genesis, (1) Zimran, (2) Medan, and (3) Ishbak. The name (4) Shuah appears elsewhere in biblical literature. However, only 2 of the 6 children are mentioned as having further children. (5) Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. Earlier Raamah, a descendent of Cush, had 2 sons with these exact names. There are at least 4 different people named Sheba in the biblical literature. Then Dedan’s sons are mentioned. Perhaps there is a link to Cush because 2 of his grandson sons were named Sheba and Dedan. However, Dedan’s 3 sons Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim, are only mentioned here and nowhere else. The descendents of (6) Midian became important in the western territory between Canaan and Egypt. In fact, Moses went to their territory and married the daughter of a Midian priest. Of the 5 people mentioned as descendents of Midian, there are at least 3 people named Ephah and Epher in biblical literature, while this is the only mention of Abida and Eldaah. There was another Hanoch who was the first son of Reuben.

December 28, 2013

The descendants of Keturah (Gen 25:1-25:6)

“Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.  She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.  Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.  The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.  Abraham gave all he had to Isaac.  But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, while he was still living, and he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.”

Now we find out about another wife of Abraham.  Wow, number 3 after Sarah and Hagar. There is no indication of a time frame, after Sarah’s death or during her lifetime.  If after her death he would have been over 137 years old when he had these 6 children.  In fact, there may have been other concubines. Abraham gave everything to Isaac, who was lucky since he had a hard time with Ishmael. Abraham gave these children of Keturah gifts and sent them away from Isaac to the east country.  We might call these people the wandering Arabs. This is an attempt to show how other Arab tribes can be traced to Abraham.

Three of these children are only mentioned here  and nowhere else except in the Chronicles: Zimran, Medan, and Ishbak.  The name Shuah appears elsewhere in biblical literature.  However, only two are mentioned as having further children.  Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan.  There are at least 4 different people named Sheba in the biblical literature.  Then Dedan’s sons are mentioned.  Perhaps there is a link to Cush since one of his sons was named Dedan.  However, Dedan’s sons Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim, are only mentioned here and nowhere else. The descendents of Midian become important on the western territory between Canaan and Egypt.  In fact, Moses will go to their territory and marry the daughter of a Midian priest.  There are at least 3 people named Ephah and Epher, while this is the only mention, except for Chronicles, of  Abida and Eldaah.