Genesis 25 Commentary - Under Construction

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Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission

Summary Chart of The Book of Genesis
Focus	Foundation Events (Four Events) (Events Predominant)				Foundation People (Four People) (People Predominant)
Divisions	Creation (Ge 1-2)	Fall (Ge 3-5)	Flood (Ge 6-9)	Nations (Ge 10-12)	Abraham's Faith (Ge 12-24)	Isaac's Family (Ge 25-26)	Jacob's Conflicts (Ge 27-36)	Joseph's Calamity (Ge 37-50)
Topics	Beginning of the Human Race (Race As A Whole)				Beginning of the Hebrew Race (Family of Abraham)
	Faithfulness of Mankind (Noah)				Faithfulness of One Man's Family (Abraham)
	Historical				Biographical
Place	Eastward From Eden to Ur				Westward From Canaan to Egypt
Time	~2000+ Years (20% of Genesis) (~4004-2090BC)				About 300 Years 193 Yr in Canaan, 93 Yr in Egypt (80% of Genesis) (2090-1804BC)
	Primeval History of Humanity				Patriarchal History of Israel
Author	Moses

Genesis 25:1 Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.

• Ge 23:1,2 28:1 1Ch 1:32,33 

Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah.

Matthew Henry - “All the days, even of the best and greatest saints, are not eminent days, some slide on silently, and neither come nor go with observation.”

Henry Morris - Keturah.  The home and background of Keturah are unknown. Like Hagar, she is called a concubine (Genesis 25:6; 1 Chronicles 1:32) to emphasize that her sons were not to inherit the promises centered in Isaac. However, God had also promised (Genesis 17:4) that Abraham would be a father of many nations. When his body was miraculously rejuvenated at age 100 to father Isaac, he remained "young" for many more years, eventually begetting six more sons by Keturah.

Ryrie -  Keturah was a concubine (cf. v. 6; 1 Chron. 1:32), suggesting to some that Abraham may have married her while Sarah was still living. 

Matthew Henry Concise - Ge 25:1-10. All the days, even of the best and greatest saints, are not remarkable days; some slide on silently; such were these last days of Abraham. Here is an account of Abraham's children by Keturah, and the disposition which he made of his estate. After the birth of these sons, he set his house in order, with prudence and justice. He did this while he yet lived. It is wisdom for men to do what they find to do while they live, as far as they can. Abraham lived 175 years; just one hundred years after he came to Canaan; so long he was a sojourner in a strange country. Whether our stay in this life be long or short, it matters but little, provided we leave behind us a testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord, and a good example to our families. We are told that his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him. It seems that Abraham had himself brought them together while he lived. Let us not close the history of the life of Abraham without blessing God for such a testimony of the triumph of faith. 

The sacred historian, in this chapter,

I. Takes his leave of Abraham, with an account,

I. Of his children by another wife (v. 1-4).

2. Of his last will and testament (v. 5, 6).

3. Of his age, death, and burial (v. 7-10).

II. He takes his leave of Ishmael, with a short account,

1. Of his children (v. 12-16).

2. Of his age and death (v. 17, 18).

III. He enters upon the history of Isaac.

1. His prosperity (v. 11).

2. The conception and birth of his two sons, with the oracle of God concerning them (v. 19-26).

3. Their different characters (v. 27, 28).

4. Esau's selling his birthright to Jacob (v. 29-34).

Quotes from Henry on Ge 25:1-10

• “All the days, even of the best and greatest saints, are not eminent days, some slide on silently, and neither come nor go with observation.”
• “Marriage is not forbidden to old age.”
• “The strength he received by the promise still remained in him, to show how much the virtue of the promise exceeds the power of nature.”
• “Our affection and gifts should attend God’s.”
• “In many cases it is wisdom for men to make their own hands their executors, and what they find to do to do it while they live, as far as they can.”
• “Common blessings he gives to the children of this world, as to the sons of the bond-woman, but covenant-blessings he reserves for the heirs of promise.”
• “Though he lived long and lived well, though he did good and could ill be spared, yet he died at last.”
• “His life was not extorted from him, but he cheerfully resigned it; into the hands of the Father of spirits he committed his spirit.”
• “His death was his discharge from the burdens of his age.”
• “He did not live till the world was weary of him, but till he was weary of the world; he had had enough of it, and desired no more.”
• “A good man, though he should not die old, dies full of days, satisfied with living here, and longing to live in a better place.”
• “Death gathers us to our people. Those that are our people while we live, whether the people of God or the children of this world, are the people to whom death will gather us.”
• “Those that in life have been very dear to each other may not only innocently, but laudably, desire to be buried together, that in their deaths they may not be divided, and in token of their hopes of rising together.”

Genesis 25:2 She bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah.

• she bare (KJV): 1Ch 1:32,33 Jer 25:25, Zimri
• Midian (KJV): Ge 36:35 37:28,36 Ex 2:15,16 18:1-4 Nu 22:4 25:17,18 31:2,8 Jud 6:1-8:35 
• Shuah (KJV): Job 2:11 

Related Passages: 

Hebrews 11:12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. 

She bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah.

Henry Morris - Midian.  Of Keturah's six sons (all probably born early in Abraham's thirty-five year period with her), Midian is the only one whose descendants, the Midianites, are adequately identified. The others probably mixed with the various descendants of Ishmael, Lot and Esau to become the modern Arabic peoples. Abraham sent them "eastward" (Genesis 25:6) with adequate gifts to begin their own tribes, and this would correspond to Arabia.

Ryrie adds that "Many of these names have been identified with various Arab tribes, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (see 17:4)."

Genesis 25:3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim.

• Sheba (KJV): 1Ki 10:1 Job 6:19 Ps 72:10 
• Dedan (KJV): Jer 25:23 49:8 Eze 25:13 27:20 
• Asshurim (KJV): 2Sa 2:9 Eze 27:6 

Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim.

Genesis 25:4 The sons of Midian were Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

• Ephah (KJV): Isa 60:6 

The sons of Midian were Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

Genesis 25:5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac

• Mt 11:27 28:18 Joh 3:35 17:2 Ro 8:17,32 9:7-9 1Co 3:21-23 Ga 3:29 4:28 Col 1:19 Heb 1:2 Isaac typified the Son of God, "whom HE hath appointed Heir of all things."

Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac

BSB - Although Abraham had many sons, Isaac was the son of promise, and he would receive Abraham's possessions. Abraham cared for his other sons, but he dispersed them; this is further evidence of God's displeasure with polygamy and the pain associated with its practice.

Genesis 25:6 but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east.  

• concubines (KJV): Ge 25:1 16:3 30:4,9 32:22 35:22 Jud 19:1,2,4 
• gifts (KJV): Ps 17:14,15 Mt 5:45 Lu 11:11-13 Ac 14:17 
• sent (KJV): Ge 21:14 
• east country (KJV): Arabia Deserta, which was eastward of Beer-sheba, where Abraham dwelt. Judges 6:3 Job 1:1,3 

but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east.

Ryrie -  Though Abraham provided for all his children by giving them gifts (probably starter flocks and herds), he dismissed them and made Isaac his principal heir. 

Genesis 25:7 These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years.

•  Ge 12:4 

These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years.

Genesis 25:8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.

KJV   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.

NET  Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man who had lived a full life. He joined his ancestors.

NLT  and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.

ESV  Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

BGT  καὶ ἐκλιπὼν ἀπέθανεν Αβρααμ ἐν γήρει καλῷ πρεσβύτης καὶ πλήρης ἡμερῶν καὶ προσετέθη πρὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ

LXE  And Abraam failing died in a good old age, an old man and full of days, and was added to his people.

CSB  He took his last breath and died at a ripe old age, old and contented, and he was gathered to his people.

NIV  Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.

• gave (KJV): Ge 25:17 35:18 49:33 Ac 5:5,10 12:23 
• good (KJV): Ge 15:15 35:28,29 47:8,9 49:29 Judges 8:32 1Ch 29:28 Job 5:26 42:17 Pr 20:29 Jer 6:11 
• gathered (KJV): Ge 25:7 35:29 49:33 Nu 20:24 27:13 Jud 2:10 Ac 13:36 

DYING A DEATH
FULL OF YEARS

Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life;

and he was gathered to his people - NLT - "age, joining his ancestors in death" Notice that Scripture does not say Abraham was merely gathered to the dead, but rather “to his people.” This expression is significant, for it suggests that although his ancestors had died physically, they had not ceased to exist. Death had ended their earthly lives, but it had not annihilated their personal existence. Moreover, Abraham was buried in the cave of Machpelah (Ge 25:9,10), far from the burial places of many of his ancestors. Thus, being “gathered to his people” cannot be explained simply as being placed in a family tomb. The expression points beyond the grave to the continuing existence of those who have departed this earthly life. This truth is consistent with Jesus' declaration that God is “not the God of the dead but of the living,” referring specifically to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Mt 22:31,32; Lk 20:37,38). Although these patriarchs had been physically dead for centuries, they were still alive to God! Similarly, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration, demonstrating their continuing conscious existence after physical death (Mt 17:1,2,3). In summary while death is the end of earthly life, it is not the end of personal existence! The biblical expression “gathered to his people” is therefore consistent with the truth that physical death does not mean annihilation. While this expression alone does not establish every detail of the intermediate state, it harmonizes with the fuller revelation of Scripture that human existence continues beyond the grave (Lk 16:19–31; Php 1:21,22,23; 2Co 5:6,7,8).

It is one thing to live a long life. It is another thing to live a long life that is also a happy (blessed) life. This obituary notice about Abraham draws attention to the fact that Abraham died not only at an elderly age but in a frame of mind filled with inner shalom and satisfaction. That is the thrust of the phrase full of years.

The New Testament places great significance on the life and legacy of Abraham. He is honored as “the friend of God” (James 2:23), identified as “our father Abraham” (James 2:21; cf. Mt 3:9), presented as a classic illustration of justification by faith (Ro 4; Gal 3), and held up as an outstanding example of living, obedient faith (Heb 11:8–19; James 2:21–23). Thus, Abraham's life provides a powerful testimony to the truth that genuine faith not only believes God's promises but also demonstrates its reality through obedience to God's Word.

Henry Morris - Abraham died at 175 years of age (Genesis 25:7), which by this time was considered a very great age, even though his father Terah had lived to 205. Human longevity had greatly declined since the Flood but was still significantly greater than in the modern world. to his people.  Since none of his people had been buried in this location, this phrase clearly indicates the belief that "his people" were still alive somewhere. In fact, this place of departed spirits was later called "Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:22).

Genesis 25:9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre,

 

Genesis 25:10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife.

 

Genesis 25:11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.

 

Genesis 25:12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maid, bore to Abraham;

 

Genesis 25:13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam

 

Genesis 25:14 and Mishma and Dumah and Massa,

 

Genesis 25:15 Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.

 

Genesis 25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes.

 

Genesis 25:17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael, one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 

 

Genesis 25:18 They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.

 

Genesis 25:19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac;

 

Genesis 25:20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

 

Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.

 

Genesis 25:22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

 

Genesis 25:23 The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”  

 

Genesis 25:24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

 

Genesis 25:25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau.

 

Genesis 25:26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.  

 

Genesis 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.

 

Genesis 25:28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 

Genesis 25:29 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished;

 

Genesis 25:30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

 

Genesis 25:31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

 

Genesis 25:32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?”

 

Genesis 25:33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

 

Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.