Girl Old Testament Rare
Keturah
that makes the incense to fume
קְטוּרָה qe.tu.rah
Keturah (Hebrew: קְטוּרָה, qe.tu.rah) means “that makes the incense to fume”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 4 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 28 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Around 3,541 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abida in 1 Chronicles 1.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Keturah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 4 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 28 | Falling |
| All-time total | 3,541 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 96 in 1992 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | PA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 25:1 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 1:33 |
| Cross-references | 40 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Midian co-occurrence Appears with Midian in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Abida co-occurrence Appears with Abida in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Hanoch co-occurrence Appears with Hanoch in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Ephah co-occurrence Appears with Ephah in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Epher co-occurrence Appears with Epher in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Eldaah co-occurrence Appears with Eldaah in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Ishbak co-occurrence Appears with Ishbak in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Dedan co-occurrence Appears with Dedan in 1 Chronicles 1.
Origin & meaning
A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.1; married to Abraham (H0085);
mother of: Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744)
§ Keturah = "incense"
wife of Abraham after Sarah's death
Keturah was the concubine Abraham took after the death of Sarah, and she bore him six sons.
The biblical story
Keturah is mentioned in Gen.25.1, 4 and 1Ch.1.32, 33 as the concubine Abraham took after the death of Sarah. She is described as Abraham's concubine, which in the context of the ancient Near East, was a secondary wife with legal rights and status.
Keturah bore Abraham six sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah (Gen.25.2; 1Ch.1.32). These sons became the ancestors of various tribes and nations, expanding Abraham's descendants beyond the primary line of Isaac and Ishmael.
Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Keturah and sent them away to the east, separating them from his son Isaac to avoid conflict over the inheritance (Gen.25.6). This action ensured that Isaac, the child of promise, would be the primary heir of Abraham's legacy and covenant blessings.
The mention of Keturah and her sons in the genealogies of Abraham demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham a father of many nations (Gen.17.4-6). It also highlights the complexity of family relationships and the importance of preserving the line of Isaac as the chosen heir of the covenant promises.
Key verses
Keturah appears in 4 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
Genesis 25:1 -
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
Genesis 25:4 -
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.
1 Chronicles 1:32 -
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah.
1 Chronicles 1:33
Show all 4 references
Genesis (2)
- Genesis 25:1
- Genesis 25:4
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 1:32
- 1 Chronicles 1:33