Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the sons of Midyan mentioned in Genesis 25:4?
A: The sons of Midyan listed in Genesis 25:4 are Eifa, Efer, Chanokh, Avida, and Elda'ah. These were the descendants of Midyan, who was a son of Avraham and Keturah (Rashi on Genesis 25:2). Midyan later became the name of a nation that interacted with the Jewish people, as seen in the Torah (e.g., in the story of Yosef being sold to the Midyanim).
Q: Why does the Torah list the children of Keturah's descendants?
A: The Torah lists the descendants of Keturah to show the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5). While Yitzchak was the primary heir of Avraham's spiritual legacy, Keturah's children (like Midyan) became nations that played roles in Jewish history. The Ramban (Genesis 25:6) explains that these genealogies are recorded to provide context for future events involving these nations.
Q: What is the significance of Midyan in the Torah?
A: Midyan is significant because this nation appears later in the Torah in key events. For example, Moshe fled to Midyan after leaving Egypt (Exodus 2:15), married Tziporah, the daughter of Yitro (a Midyanite priest), and the Midyanites later conflicted with Bnei Yisrael (Numbers 25, 31). The listing of Midyan's sons here in Genesis 25:4 establishes their origins as descendants of Avraham through Keturah.
Q: How does the Torah's mention of Keturah's children relate to Avraham's legacy?
A: Although Yitzchak was Avraham's main heir, the Torah records the children of Keturah to show that Avraham was indeed the father of many nations, as promised by Hashem. Rashi (Genesis 25:1) explains that Keturah was actually Hagar (Sarah's maidservant), whom Avraham remarried after Sarah's passing. Thus, these descendants were also part of Avraham's household, though Yitzchak alone carried forward the covenant.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Bereishit 25:4) lists the descendants of Midyan, who was one of the sons of Avraham and Keturah. This follows Avraham's marriage to Keturah after the passing of Sarah and the narrative of Yitzchak's marriage to Rivkah. The Torah here enumerates the lineage of Avraham through Keturah, emphasizing the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to make Avraham a father of many nations.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi (Bereishit 25:4) explains that Keturah is actually Hagar, whom Avraham remarried after Sarah's death. The name "Keturah" (from the root ketoret, meaning incense) alludes to her righteous deeds, which were as pleasing as incense. Rashi further notes that the Torah lists Midyan's descendants here because they later became significant nations, particularly in relation to Bnei Yisrael (e.g., the incident with Bilam and the Midyanim in Bamidbar 31).
Ramban's Insight
The Ramban (Bereishit 25:4) adds that the Torah details these descendants to show that Avraham sent them away with gifts (as mentioned in Bereishit 25:6) to ensure Yitzchak's inheritance would remain uncontested. The Ramban also highlights that these nations retained a connection to Avraham's teachings, as some of their descendants (like Yitro) later embraced monotheism.
Midrashic Interpretations
Significance in Jewish Tradition
The listing of Midyan's descendants serves as a reminder of Avraham's far-reaching influence and the fulfillment of Hashem's blessing to make him the father of many nations. It also sets the stage for future interactions between Bnei Yisrael and the Midyanim, illustrating how Avraham's legacy extended beyond Yitzchak to impact world history.