King James Version

What Does Genesis 25:3 Mean?

Genesis 25:3 in the King James Version says “And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.”

Genesis 25:3 · KJV

Context

1

Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

2

And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.

3

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

4

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

5

And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

Read Genesis 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן1 of 12

“And Jokshan”

H3370

jokshan, an arabian patriarch

יָלַ֔ד2 of 12

“begat”

H3205

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

אֶת3 of 12
H853

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

שְׁבָ֖א4 of 12

“Sheba”

H7614

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

וְאֶת5 of 12
H853

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

דְדָ֔ן6 of 12

“and Dedan”

H1719

dedan, the name of two cushites and of their territory

וּבְנֵ֣י7 of 12

“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

דְדָ֔ן8 of 12

“and Dedan”

H1719

dedan, the name of two cushites and of their territory

הָי֛וּ9 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם10 of 12

“were Asshurim”

H805

an ashurite (collectively) or inhabitant of ashur, a district in palestine

וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ם11 of 12

“and Letushim”

H3912

letushim, an arabian tribe

וּלְאֻמִּֽים׃12 of 12

“and Leummim”

H3817

leummim, an arabian

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Genesis 25:3 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 Genesis 25:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 25:13Ezekiel 27:6Jeremiah 49:8Job 6:19Ezekiel 27:201 Kings 10:1

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