THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM
Chapter 25:1 to 11
Keturah, which means“incense”, is called “Abraham's concubine” in 1 Chronicles 1:32, and was the second wife of Abraham, presumably after the death of Sarah.
She had six of his children, giving rise to nations and tribes, some of which appear later in the Bible, like Midian and Sheba. Just as he did with Ishmael, Abraham before death separated them from Isaac his heir: he sent them eastward, after giving them gifts.
Abraham died at one hundred seventy-five years old, having spent a century in the land of Canaan.The Bible says he was “gathered to his people”, referring to his soul. He was buried by Isaac, who was now 75 years old, and Ishmael who was 90, in the cave of Machpelah which Abraham had bought for the burial of Sarah.
Thus ends the biblical account of Abraham's life, which had a profound influence on the ancient world, there being references to him in almost all religious traditions of the people of the east. He is called the“friend of God” (James 2:23), the“believing Abraham” (Galatians 3:9) and the“father of us all” (Romans 4:16).
God blessed Isaac, Abraham's son who inherited his lineage leading to Jesus Christ two millennia later.
R David Jones
1 Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
4 And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.
6 But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.
7 This is the sum of the years of Abraham's life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years.
8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite,
10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.
11 And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.
Genesis chapter 25