Genesis 25:3

Genesis 25:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.

King James Version KJV

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

American Standard Version ASV

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And from Dedan came the Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim.

Free Bible Version FBV

Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And Iokshan begate Sheba, and Dedan: And the sonnes of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Jokshan hath begotten Sheba and Dedan; and the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim;

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim and Leummim.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Jecsan also begot Saba and Dadan. The children of Dadan were Assurim, and Latusim, and Loomin.

Translation for Translators T4T

Jokshan became the father of two sons, Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshur people-group, the Letush people-group, and the Leum people-group.

Plain English Version PEV

After Jokshan grew up, he had 2 sons. Their names were Sheba and Dedan. The tribes that were from Dedan and his family were the Ashur mob, the Letush mob, and the Leyum mob.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 25:3

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 25:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/יָקְשָׁ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת שְׁבָ֖א וְ/אֶת דְּדָ֑ן וּ/בְנֵ֣י דְדָ֔ן הָי֛וּ אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם וּ/לְטוּשִׁ֖ים וּ/לְאֻמִּֽים

וְ/יָקְשָׁ֣ן Yoqshân H3370 Jokshan Conj | N-proper

יָלַ֔ד yâlad H3205 to beget V-Qal-Perf-3ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

שְׁבָ֖א Shᵉbâʼ H7614 Sheba N-proper

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

דְּדָ֑ן Dᵉdân H1719 Dedan N-proper

וּ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 son Conj | N-mp

דְדָ֔ן Dᵉdân H1719 Dedan N-proper

הָי֛וּ hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Perf-3cp

אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם ʼĂshûwrîy H805 Asshurim N-proper

וּ/לְטוּשִׁ֖ים Lᵉṭûwshim H3912 Letushim Conj | N-proper

וּ/לְאֻמִּֽים Lᵉʼummîym H3817 Leummim Conj | N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 25:3

וְ/יָקְשָׁ֣ן Yoqshân H3370 "Jokshan" Conj | N-proper

Jokshan was a son of Abraham and Keturah, and the father of Sheba and Dedan, whose name means 'snarer' and is mentioned in the book of Genesis.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.2; son of: Abraham (H0085) and Keturah (H6989); brother of: Zimran (H2175), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); father of: Sheba (H7614I) and Dedan (H1719C); half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458) and Isaac (H3327) § Jokshan = "snarer" a son of Abraham by Keturah and father of Sheba and Dedan

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Jokshan. See also: Genesis 25:2; Genesis 25:3; 1 Chronicles 1:32.

יָלַ֔ד yâlad H3205 "to beget" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.

Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

שְׁבָ֖א Shᵉbâʼ H7614 "Sheba" N-proper

Sheba was a region in southern Arabia, also the name of a man who was an ancestor of a tribe. The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon, as told in 1 Kings 10. The region of Sheba was known for its wealth and trade.

Definition: § Sheba = "seven" or "an oath" a nation in southern Arabia

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: Sheba, Sabeans. See also: Genesis 10:7; 2 Chronicles 9:3; Psalms 72:10.

וְ/אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

דְּדָ֑ן Dᵉdân H1719 "Dedan" N-proper

Dedan was a man and a region mentioned in the Bible, first appearing in Genesis 25:3. It refers to a low-lying area or a son of Jokshan, and is associated with the patriarchs. Dedan is also the name of a place and a person.

Definition: Dedan = "low country" a place in south Arabia Also named: de.da.nim (דְּדָנִי "Dedanite" H1720)

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Dedan. See also: Genesis 10:7; Jeremiah 49:8; Jeremiah 25:23.

וּ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" Conj | N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

דְדָ֔ן Dᵉdân H1719 "Dedan" N-proper

Definition: Dedan = "low country" a place in south Arabia Also named: de.da.nim (דְּדָנִי "Dedanite" H1720)

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Dedan. See also: Genesis 10:7; Jeremiah 49:8; Jeremiah 25:23.

הָי֛וּ hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם ʼĂshûwrîy H805 "Asshurim" N-proper

An Ashurite refers to someone from the tribe of Asher, which was one of the 12 tribes of Israel. The Ashurites were first mentioned in Genesis 30:13 as descendants of Asher, a son of Jacob.

Definition: Someone descended from Asshur(?) of the Patriarchs, only mentioned at Gen.25.3; descended from Dedan (H1719C); along with Letushim (H3912) and Leummim (H3817) § Ashurites = "guided: blessed" a tribe descended from Abraham and Keturah

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Asshurim, Ashurites. See also: Genesis 25:3; 2 Samuel 2:9.

וּ/לְטוּשִׁ֖ים Lᵉṭûwshim H3912 "Letushim" Conj | N-proper

Letushim refers to an Arabian tribe in Genesis 25:3, descended from Dedan and Abraham's grandson by Keturah. The name means hammered, indicating strength or resilience. They are mentioned alongside other tribes like Asshurim and Leummim.

Definition: People descended from Letush(?) of the Patriarchs, only mentioned at Gen.25.3; descended from Dedan (H1719C); along with Asshurim (H0805A) and Leummim (H3817) § Letushim = "hammered" the 2nd son of Dedan, grandson of Jokshan, great grandson of Abraham by Keturah

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Letushim. See also: Genesis 25:3.

וּ/לְאֻמִּֽים Lᵉʼummîym H3817 "Leummim" Conj | N-proper

The Leummim were a group of people descended from Dedan, a son of Jokshan. They are mentioned in Genesis 25:3 as one of the many nations that descended from Abraham's family. The name Leummim means 'peoples'.

Definition: People descended from Leumm(?) of the Patriarchs, only mentioned at Gen.25.3; descended from Dedan (H1719C); along with Asshurim (H0805A) and Letushim (H3912) § Leummim = "peoples" son of Dedan and grandson of Jokshan

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Leummim. See also: Genesis 25:3.

Study Notes — Genesis 25:3

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 25:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 25:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 25:3
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 25:3
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 25:3
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 25:3
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 25:3
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 25:3
Sermons on Genesis 25:3

Context — Abraham and Keturah

1Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, 2and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

3Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites.

4The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. 5Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezekiel 25:13	therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword.
2	Jeremiah 49:8	Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him.
3	Ezekiel 27:20	Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding.
4	1 Kings 10:1	Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
5	Jeremiah 25:23	Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair;
6	Job 6:19	The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
7	Ezekiel 27:6	Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; of wood from the coasts of Cyprus they made your deck, inlaid with ivory.
8	2 Samuel 2:9	and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.
9	Psalms 72:10	May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

Genesis 25:3 Summary

Genesis 25:3 tells us about the family of Jokshan, one of Abraham's sons by his wife Keturah. Jokshan had two sons, Sheba and Dedan, and Dedan's sons were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. This verse is important because it shows how Abraham's family grew and expanded, just like God had promised in Genesis 17:4-5. By looking at this verse, we can see how God keeps his promises and works through human families to accomplish his plans, as also seen in Genesis 12:1-3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Jokshan in the Bible?

Jokshan was a son of Abraham by his wife Keturah, as mentioned in Genesis 25:2, and he became the father of Sheba and Dedan, as stated in Genesis 25:3.

What were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites?

The Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites were the sons of Dedan, who was a son of Jokshan, and they are listed in Genesis 25:3 as part of the descendants of Abraham through Keturah.

Why is it important to know about the descendants of Abraham's sons?

Understanding the descendants of Abraham's sons, including Jokshan and his sons, helps us see the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make him the father of many nations, as stated in Genesis 17:4-5.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?

This verse is part of the larger narrative of Abraham's life and the early history of the Israelites, which is foundational to the rest of the Bible, including the stories of Isaac and Jacob in the book of Genesis, and the later history of the Israelites in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Reflection Questions

What can we learn from the fact that Abraham had multiple wives and children, and how does this relate to God's plan for his life?
How do the descendants of Jokshan and his sons fit into the larger story of God's promise to Abraham, and what does this reveal about God's character?
What does this verse teach us about the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
How can we use this verse to reflect on the ways in which God works through human families and relationships to accomplish his purposes, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 and other passages?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 25:3

And Jokshan begat Sheba and Dedan,.... Bochart (o) is of opinion, that the posterity of this Sheba are the same with the Sabeans who inhabited at the entrance of Arabia Felix, not far from the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 25:3

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. Jokshan begat Sheba.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 25:3

Genesis 25:3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. Ver. 3. No Text for this verse.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 25:3

(3) Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan.—But Sheba and Dedan are also described as the sons of Raamah, the son of Cush (Genesis 10:7). We have here proof that these genealogies are to a certain extent geographical, and that whereas these districts at first were peopled by a Hamitic race, they were subsequently conquered by men of the Semitic stock, who claimed Abraham for their ancestor. Most probably, therefore, we ought not to regard Sneba and Dedan as the names here of men. As men they were the sons of Raamah, but when the sons of Jokshan wrested these two countries from the family of Cush, they called them sons of their progenitor, because the dominant portion of the population had sprung from him. They appear as countries in Jeremiah 6:20; Jeremiah 49:8; Ezekiel 25:13; Ezekiel 27:15; Ezekiel 27:22; Ezekiel 38:13, &c. Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.—These are certainly not the names of men, but of the three tribes into which the Dedanites were divided.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 25:3

Verse 3. Sheba] From whom sprang the Sabeans, who robbed Job of his cattle. See Bochart and Calmet. Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.] We know not who these were, but as each name is plural they must have been tribes or families, and not individuals. Onkelos interprets these words of persons dwelling in camps, tents, and islands; and Jonathan ben Uzziel calls them merchants, artificers, and heads or chiefs of people.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 25:3

3. Sheba … Dedan] These places have already been mentioned by P in a different connexion (Genesis 10:7). The identity of the names illustrates the fact, that there were different Israelite traditions explaining the relation of the different members of the Hebrew-speaking families. Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim] These plural names are noticeable as obviously denoting, not individuals, but peoples. The Asshurim are probably to be connected with the “Asshur” (R.V. “Assyria”) of Psalms 83:8, and possibly with the mention of Asshur in the present chapter (Genesis 25:18) and in Numbers 24:22. In both instances, an allusion to obscure tribes on the Arabian borders of Palestine is more suitable than to the Assyrian empire. Ephah] Cf. Isaiah 60:6, “the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah,” a passage confirming the probability that the present group of names is Arabian.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 25:3

2-4. Compare 1 Chronicles 1:32-33. Here are mentioned six sons, seven grandsons, and three great-grandsons.

Sermons on Genesis 25:3

	Sermon	Description
	(1 Kings) the Wisdom of Solomon by David Guzik	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of organization and order in the Bible. He uses the example of God organizing the Israelites in the book of Numbers to emphasiz
	The Church's Threefold Temptation by Vance Havner	The sermon transcript discusses the importance of approaching church and sermons with a hungry heart, seeking blessings rather than finding faults. The speaker criticizes the tende
	How Quickly We Turn Away by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging his unworthiness to stand in the pulpit and emphasizes his reliance on the righteousness of Jesus. He prays for the conviction
	Christ Is Greater 03 Greater Than Solomon by Neil Fraser	In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a scene of a man trapped in a burning building, desperately calling for help. Eventually, a fireman arrives and extends a ladder t
	The Queen of Sheba by Phil Beach Jr.	Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of recognizing the greatness of Jesus Christ compared to the Queen of Sheba's admiration for King Solomon. He challenges the congregation t
	His Excellent Greatness by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the excellent greatness of the Lord Jesus, drawing parallels between Him and Solomon's dominion, bounty, and glory. He highlights that only the Father f
	She Came to Prove Solomon With Hard Questions. by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of bringing our difficult questions to Christ, who surpasses even Solomon in wisdom. He encourages believers to approach Christ with a spirit o