Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, NowThe use of "Now" serves as a transitional word, indicating a shift in the narrative. It connects the preceding events of Abraham's life, including the death of Sarah and the marriage of Isaac, to the new developments in his life. This word suggests continuity in God's plan and the unfolding of His promises to Abraham. It reminds us that God's work in our lives is ongoing, and each chapter builds upon the last. Abraham
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, known as the father of faith. His name, meaning "father of many nations," reflects the covenant God made with him. Abraham's life is a testament to faith and obedience, as he left his homeland to follow God's call. His account is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan, as he is an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Abraham's journey encourages believers to trust in God's promises, even when the path is unclear. had taken
The phrase "had taken" indicates a deliberate action by Abraham. In the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, marriage was often a strategic decision, involving family alliances and the continuation of lineage. Abraham's decision to take another wife after Sarah's death demonstrates his continued commitment to God's promise of numerous descendants. It also reflects the customs of the time, where polygamy was practiced to ensure the survival and prosperity of a family line. another wife
The mention of "another wife" highlights the practice of polygamy in the patriarchal period. While modern readers may view this through a different lens, it was a common practice in ancient times. The Bible records these practices without necessarily endorsing them, providing a realistic portrayal of human history. This phrase also underscores the importance of family and lineage in God's covenant with Abraham, as the continuation of his line was crucial to the fulfillment of God's promises. named Keturah
Keturah's name, meaning "incense" or "fragrance," suggests a sense of beauty and value. Although not much is known about her background, her role as Abraham's wife and the mother of his children is significant. Keturah's inclusion in the narrative demonstrates God's faithfulness in expanding Abraham's family, further fulfilling His promise of making Abraham a father of many nations. Her presence in the account reminds us that God often works through unexpected people and circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. At this point in Genesis, he is advanced in years and has already been blessed with Isaac, the child of promise. 2. KeturahThe woman Abraham marries after the death of Sarah. Her name in Hebrew (Qeturah) is often associated with incense or fragrance, suggesting a pleasant or significant presence in Abraham's life. 3. MarriageThe event of Abraham taking another wife signifies a continuation of his family line and God's blessings upon him, even in his old age. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness Across GenerationsAbraham's marriage to Keturah and the children born to them demonstrate God's ongoing faithfulness to His promises. Even in old age, God continues to fulfill His word. The Importance of LegacyAbraham's life shows the importance of leaving a spiritual and physical legacy. Believers are encouraged to consider how they are investing in future generations. New Beginnings in Later LifeAbraham's marriage to Keturah reminds us that God can bring new beginnings and purposes at any stage of life. It encourages believers to remain open to God's plans, regardless of age. The Role of Women in God's PlanKeturah, though not as prominent as Sarah, plays a significant role in the continuation of Abraham's lineage. This highlights the value and importance of every individual in God's plan. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abraham's marriage to Keturah reflect God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can we see God's faithfulness in our own lives today? 2. In what ways does the account of Abraham and Keturah encourage us to consider our own legacy, both spiritually and physically? 3. How can Abraham's new beginning with Keturah inspire us to embrace new opportunities and purposes in our later years? 4. What can we learn from Keturah's role in Abraham's life about the significance of seemingly lesser-known individuals in God's plan? 5. How does the account of Abraham's descendants through Keturah connect with the broader account of God's covenant with Abraham, and what implications does this have for understanding God's promises in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 17God's covenant with Abraham, promising him to be the father of many nations. Keturah's children are part of the fulfillment of this promise. 1 Chronicles 1:32-33Lists the sons of Keturah, showing the extension of Abraham's lineage and God's faithfulness to His promises. Galatians 4:22-31Paul references Abraham's sons to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living by the promise, highlighting the spiritual significance of Abraham's descendants. People Abraham, Abida, Abidah, Adbeel, Aram, Asshurim, Asshurites, Bethuel, Dedan, Dumah, Eldaah, Enoch, Ephah, Epher, Ephron, Esau, Hadad, Hadar, Hagar, Hanoch, Havilah, Heth, Hittites, Isaac, Ishbak, Ishmael, Jacob, Jetur, Jokshan, Kedar, Kedemah, Keturah, Laban, Letushim, Letushites, Leummim, Leummites, Mamre, Massa, Medan, Mibsam, Mishma, Naphish, Nebaioth, Nebajoth, Rebekah, Sarah, Shuah, Tema, Zimran, Zoar, ZoharPlaces Assyria, Beer-lahai-roi, Egypt, Machpelah, Mamre, Paddan-aram, Shur DesertTopics Addeth, Keturah, Ketu'rah, Named, Taketh, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 25:1 5672 concubines Genesis 25:1-2 5076 Abraham, life of Genesis 25:1-4 5078 Abraham, significance Library Pottage Versus Birthright
Esau despised his birthright'--GENESIS xxv. 34. Broad lessons unmistakable, but points strange and difficult to throw oneself back to so different a set of ideas. So I. Deal with the narrative. Not to tell it over again, but bring out the following points:-- (a) Birthright.--What? None of them any notion of sacred, spiritual aspect of it. To all, merely material advantages: headship of the clan. All the loftier aspects gone from Isaac, who thought he could give it for venison, from Esau, and from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jacob and Esau
(Second Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxv. 29-34. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Every Believer's Birthright.
On every hand a lack of something is being felt and expressed by God's people. Their Christian experience is not what they expected it would be. Instead of expected victory, it is oft-recurring, dreaded defeat; instead of soul satisfaction, it is soul hunger; instead of deep, abiding heart rest, it is disquiet and discontent; instead of advancing, it is losing ground. Is this all Christ meant when He said, "Come unto Me"? Is this life of constant disappointment the normal life of the Bible Christian? …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 25:1 NIVGenesis 25:1 NLTGenesis 25:1 ESVGenesis 25:1 NASBGenesis 25:1 KJV
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