King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 1:32 Mean?

1 Chronicles 1:32 in the King James Version says “Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.”

1 Chronicles 1:32 · KJV

Context

30

Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,

31

Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.

32

Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.

33

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah.

34

And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine (בְּנֵי קְטוּרָה פִּילֶגֶשׁ אַבְרָהָם)—after Sarah's death, Abraham married קְטוּרָה (Qeturah, 'incense' or 'fragrance'), producing six sons including Midian. Though legitimate sons, Genesis 25:6 specifies Abraham gave them gifts and sent them eastward, reserving Isaac's inheritance. Midian's descendants became the Midianites, both trading partners (Genesis 37:28) and enemies (Numbers 25, Judges 6-8) of Israel.

This demonstrates God's blessing extended beyond Isaac while maintaining covenant exclusivity. Abraham's fruitfulness fulfilled God's promise to make him 'father of many nations' (Genesis 17:5), yet the covenant line ran singularly through Isaac and Jacob—foreshadowing salvation's particularity through Christ while God's common grace extends universally.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Abraham remarried after Sarah's death at age 127 (Genesis 23:1), when he was 137. He lived another 38 years (died at 175), making Keturah's sons contemporaries of Jacob's youth. The Midianites settled east of Jordan and northwest Arabia, trading in spices and controlling caravan routes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's blessing of Keturah's sons alongside covenant promises to Isaac reflect His common grace while maintaining particular election?
  2. What does Abraham's provision for all his children while preserving Isaac's unique inheritance teach about God's justice and mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּבְנֵ֥י1 of 16

“And the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קְטוּרָ֜ה2 of 16

“of Keturah”

H6989

keturah, a wife of abraham

פִּילֶ֣גֶשׁ3 of 16

“concubine”

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

אַבְרָהָ֗ם4 of 16

“Abraham's”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

יָֽלְדָ֞ה5 of 16

“she bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

אֶת6 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

זִמְרָ֧ן7 of 16

“Zimran”

H2175

zimran, a son of abraham by keturah

יָקְשָׁ֖ן8 of 16

“and Jokshan”

H3370

jokshan, an arabian patriarch

וּמְדָ֥ן9 of 16

“and Medan”

H4091

medan, a son of abraham

וּמִדְיָ֖ן10 of 16

“and Midian”

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

וְיִשְׁבָּ֣ק11 of 16

“and Ishbak”

H3435

jishbak, a son of abraham

וְשׁ֑וּחַ12 of 16

“and Shuah”

H7744

shuach, a son of abraham

וּבְנֵ֥י13 of 16

“And the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יָקְשָׁ֖ן14 of 16

“and Jokshan”

H3370

jokshan, an arabian patriarch

שְׁבָ֥א15 of 16

“Sheba”

H7614

sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district

וּדְדָֽן׃16 of 16

“and Dedan”

H1719

dedan, the name of two cushites and of their territory

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 1:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 1:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 25:1-41 Kings 10:1Jeremiah 25:23Ezekiel 27:20Jeremiah 49:8Psalms 72:10

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