Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Keturah in the Torah?
A: Keturah was the woman Avraham (Abraham) married after Sarah passed away. According to Rashi (Genesis 25:1), some opinions in the Midrash say that Keturah was actually Hagar, Sarah's maidservant, who was given a new name ('Keturah,' meaning 'pleasant' or 'bound') because her deeds were as pleasant as incense (ketoret).
Q: Why did Avraham marry Keturah after Sarah's death?
A: Avraham married Keturah to continue building a family and fulfilling the divine promise of having many descendants (Genesis 15:5). The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that Avraham acted righteously by remarrying, as it was proper for him to have a wife and not remain alone after Sarah’s passing.
Q: What can we learn from Avraham marrying Keturah?
A: We learn the importance of moving forward in life with faith even after loss. Avraham, despite his old age and the death of Sarah, continued to build his family. The Talmud (Bava Batra 16b) teaches that Avraham was blessed in his later years, showing that righteousness and divine blessings can continue throughout life.
Q: Did Keturah have children with Avraham?
A: Yes, Keturah bore Avraham six sons: Zimran, Yokshan, Medan, Midyan, Yishbak, and Shuach (Genesis 25:2). These sons became ancestors of various nations. Rashi notes that while they were not part of the main lineage of Yitzchak (Isaac), they still received gifts from Avraham before he passed away.
Q: Why is Keturah mentioned in the Torah if Yitzchak was the main heir?
A: The Torah mentions Keturah to show the fulfillment of Avraham’s blessing of having many descendants (Genesis 17:4-6). While Yitzchak was the chosen heir (Genesis 25:5), Keturah’s children were still part of Avraham’s legacy. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 61:4) explains that these nations later played roles in Jewish history, such as the Midyanites.
The Identity of Keturah
Rashi (Bereishit 25:1) cites the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 61:4) which identifies Keturah as Hagar, Avraham's earlier concubine. The name "Keturah" (from the root קטר, meaning "to bind" or "to incense") alludes to her righteous deeds, which were as pleasing as incense. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the Torah previously mentioned Hagar's expulsion (Bereishit 21:14) but does not mention her again until this verse, implying they were the same person.
Avraham's Remarriage
The Ramban (Bereishit 25:1) offers a different perspective, suggesting Keturah was a new wife distinct from Hagar. He explains that Avraham remarried after Sarah's death to fulfill the mitzvah of "peru urevu" (be fruitful and multiply) and to establish additional descendants, as promised by Hashem. The Torah emphasizes "וַיֹּסֶף" ("then again") to show this was a new chapter in Avraham's life after Sarah's passing.
Keturah's Descendants
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 91a) discusses the status of Keturah's children, stating they were not subject to the same covenant as Yitzchak but were still considered Avraham's offspring. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 61:5) lists the nations descended from Keturah, including the Midianites, emphasizing Avraham's role as "av hamon goyim" (father of many nations).
Spiritual Significance