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

1 CHRONICLES 1:33KJV
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1 Chronicles 1:33 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 1:33 mean?

1 Chronicles 1:33 lists the sons of Midian—Ephah, Epher, Henoch, Abida, and Eldaah—and states that all these were the sons of Keturah. This verse is part of a genealogy showing the descendants of Abraham through his wife Keturah.

This verse appears in a section where the writer of 1 Chronicles is recording family lines, likely for the returned exiles of Israel to understand their heritage. The focus is on tracing the descendants of Abraham, not just through Isaac and Ishmael, but also through Keturah, highlighting the broader family connections in Israel’s early history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 1:33

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means "sons" or "descendants." Its use here emphasizes that these named individuals are direct descendants of Midian.
  • קְטוּרָה (qəṭurāh, H6989): This is the name "Keturah," Abraham’s wife after Sarah. Mentioning her by name underlines her important role in Abraham’s family tree.

Why 1 Chronicles 1:33 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Abraham had other descendants besides Isaac and Ishmael, which is important for understanding the wider family networks in the ancient Near East.
  • By naming Keturah and her sons, the Chronicler connects Israel’s story to neighboring peoples, many of whom trace their roots to these individuals.
  • Including these genealogies helps the reader see the scope of Abraham’s legacy and the fulfillment of God’s promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations.

Where else these words appear

“Abida” Hebrew H28 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

“Eldaah” Hebrew H420 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

“Epher” Hebrew H6081 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.

“Keturah” Hebrew H6989 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 25:1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
  • Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:32 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.