Genesis 25:4

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Genesis 25:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

American Standard Version ASV

And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And from Midian came Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the offspring of Keturah.

Free Bible Version FBV

The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were all descendants of Keturah.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Also the sonnes of Midian were Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah all these were the sonnes of Keturah.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and the sons of Midian [are] Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah: all these [are] sons of Keturah.

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But of Madian was born Epha, and Opher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaa: all these were the children of Cetura.

Translation for Translators T4T

The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. They were all descendants of Keturah.

Plain English Version PEV

After Midian grew up, he had 5 sons. Their names were Efah, Efer, Hanok, Abida, and Eldah. All of those men were Keturah’s sons and grand-sons.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 25:4

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 25:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/בְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עֵיפָ֤ה וָ/עֵ֨פֶר֙ וַ/חֲנֹ֔ךְ וַ/אֲבִידָ֖ע וְ/אֶלְדָּעָ֑ה כָּל אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י קְטוּרָֽה

וּ/בְנֵ֣י bên H1121 son Conj | N-mp

מִדְיָ֗ן Midyân H4080 Midian N-proper

עֵיפָ֤ה ʻÊyphâh H5891 Ephah N-proper

וָ/עֵ֨פֶר֙ ʻÊpher H6081 Epher Conj | N-proper

וַ/חֲנֹ֔ךְ Chănôwk H2585 Hanoch Conj | N-proper

וַ/אֲבִידָ֖ע ʼĂbîydâʻ H28 Abida Conj | N-proper

וְ/אֶלְדָּעָ֑ה ʼEldâʻâh H420 Eldaah Conj | N-proper

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

אֵ֖לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 these Pron

בְּנֵ֥י bên H1121 son N-mp

קְטוּרָֽה Qᵉṭûwrâh H6989 Keturah N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 25:4

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.

מִדְיָ֗ן Midyân H4080 "Midian" N-proper

Refers to Midian, a son of Abraham, his country, and descendants, known for being a tribe that lived in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula.

Definition: § Midian or Midianite = "strife" the tribe descended from Midian inhabitant of the territory of the tribe descended from Midian; located principally in the desert north of the Arabian peninsula; land to which Moses went when he fled from Pharaoh

Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: Midian, Midianite. See also: Genesis 25:2; Judges 7:1; Psalms 83:10.

עֵיפָ֤ה ʻÊyphâh H5891 "Ephah" N-proper

Ephah was a person in the Bible, a son of Midian, and also the name of a place where his family settled. The name Ephah means 'gloomy' and is associated with the regions of Sheba and Midian. This word is used to identify a specific person and place in the Bible.

Definition: § Ephah = "gloomy" a place associated with Sheba and Midian

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Ephah. See also: Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles 2:46; Isaiah 60:6.

וָ/עֵ֨פֶר֙ ʻÊpher H6081 "Epher" Conj | N-proper

Epher means a calf and is the name of several men in the Bible, including an Israelite from the tribe of Manasseh and a son of Ezra. It appears in 1 Chronicles 5:24. Epher is also the name of a son of Midian.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Manasseh living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.5.24 § Epher = "a calf" 1) the 2nd son of Midian 2) a son of Ezra, among the descendants of Judah 3) one of the heads of the families of Manasseh on the east of the Jordan

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Epher. See also: Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles 4:17; 1 Chronicles 5:24.

וַ/חֲנֹ֔ךְ Chănôwk H2585 "Hanoch" Conj | N-proper

Hanoch means dedicated and refers to several men in the Bible, including a son of Reuben and a son of Jared who was taken to heaven without dying, as seen in Genesis 5:24.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Reuben living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.9; son of: Reuben (H7205); brother of: Pallu (H6396), Hezron (H2696) and Carmi (H3756) Also named: cha.no.khi (חֲנֹכִי "Hanochite " H2599) § Enoch = "dedicated" 1) eldest son of Cain 2) son of Jared and father of Methuselah whom God took home to heaven without dying 3) the city which Cain built and named after his son Enoch (after himself) Hanoch = "dedicated" 4) a son of Midian, the third child 5) the eldest son of Reuben

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Enoch. See also: Genesis 4:17; Genesis 5:24; 1 Chronicles 5:3.

וַ/אֲבִידָ֖ע ʼĂbîydâʻ H28 "Abida" Conj | N-proper

Abida was a son of Abraham by his wife Keturah, his name means my father knows. He is mentioned in Genesis 25:4 as a son of Abraham.

Definition: A man of the Midianites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.4; son of: Midian (H4080); brother of: Ephah (H5891), Epher (H6081), Hanoch (H2585I) and Eldaah (H0420) § Abida or Abidah = "my father knows" fourth son of Midian and grandson of Abraham by his wife Keturah (after Sarah died)

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Abida, Abidah. See also: Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles 1:33.

וְ/אֶלְדָּעָ֑ה ʼEldâʻâh H420 "Eldaah" Conj | N-proper

Eldaah was a son of Midian, mentioned in Genesis 25:4, and his name means God has known. He had brothers named Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, and Abida. Eldaah lived during the time of the Patriarchs.

Definition: A man of the Midianites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.4; son of: Midian (H4080); brother of: Ephah (H5891), Epher (H6081), Hanoch (H2585I) and Abida (H0028) § Eldaah = "God has known" a son or descendant of Midian

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Eldaah. See also: Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles 1:33.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

אֵ֖לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 "these" Pron

This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.

Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)

Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.

בְּנֵ֥י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

Definition: : child/son

קְטוּרָֽה Qᵉṭûwrâh H6989 "Keturah" N-proper

Keturah was a wife of Abraham, and her name means incense. She was the mother of six sons, including Midian. Abraham married her after Sarah's death.

Definition: 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

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Keturah. See also: Genesis 25:1; 1 Chronicles 1:32; 1 Chronicles 1:33.

Study Notes — Genesis 25:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 25:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 25:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 25:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 25:4
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 25:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 25:4
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 25:4
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 25:4
Sermons on Genesis 25:4

Context — Abraham and 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. 6But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 60:6	Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Genesis 25:4 Summary

Genesis 25:4 lists the sons of Midian, who was one of the sons of Abraham by his wife Keturah. This verse helps us understand that Abraham's family was very large and that God was fulfilling His promise to make Abraham the father of many nations, as stated in Genesis 17:4-6. Just like Abraham, we can trust God to provide for our families and fulfill His promises to us, even when we don't know all the details (Romans 4:20-22). By looking at the example of Abraham and his family, we can learn more about God's love and faithfulness to His people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Midian and why are his sons listed in Genesis 25:4?

Midian was one of the six sons of Abraham by his wife Keturah, as mentioned in Genesis 25:2. The listing of his sons in Genesis 25:4 provides further details about the descendants of Abraham and the expansion of his family, which is also discussed in Genesis 17:4-6 and Genesis 22:17.

What is the significance of Keturah in the biblical narrative?

Keturah was a wife of Abraham, whom he married after the death of Sarah, as recorded in Genesis 25:1. Her descendants, including the sons of Midian listed in Genesis 25:4, are an important part of Abraham's family and are mentioned again in Genesis 37:25-36 and Numbers 25:1-9.

How do the sons of Midian fit into the larger biblical story?

The sons of Midian, listed in Genesis 25:4, are part of the broader narrative of Abraham's descendants and the development of the nations. Their mention serves as a reminder of God's promise to Abraham to make him the father of many nations, as stated in Genesis 17:4-6 and Genesis 22:17-18.

Why are the descendants of Keturah mentioned separately from Isaac?

The descendants of Keturah, including the sons of Midian in Genesis 25:4, are mentioned separately from Isaac because they represent a distinct branch of Abraham's family. As noted in Genesis 25:5-6, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from Isaac, highlighting the unique role and inheritance of Isaac as the son of promise, as discussed in Genesis 17:15-22 and Romans 9:6-13.

Reflection Questions

How does the listing of Midian's sons in Genesis 25:4 contribute to our understanding of God's plan to bless all nations through Abraham?
What can we learn from the example of Abraham's family about the importance of recognizing and honoring our heritage and family roots?
In what ways can we, like Abraham, trust God to fulfill His promises and provide for our families, even when the details are not yet clear?
How does the mention of Keturah and her descendants in Genesis 25:4 encourage us to consider the role of women and their contributions to the biblical narrative?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 25:4

And the sons of Midian,.... The fourth son of Abraham by Keturah; he had five sons next mentioned, who were heads of so many tribes or families in Midian: hence we read of five kings of Midian;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 25:4

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. The sons of Midian. Midian was the most noted among the descendants of Keturah.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 25:4

Ephah; of whom see . From Epher some think Africa received its name.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 25:4

Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these [were] the children of Keturah.Ver. 4. Ephah, and Epher.] These five were, haply, the founders of the families of those five kings of Midian mentioned in Numbers 31:8.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 25:4

Verse 4. Ephah, and Epher, c.] Of these we know no more than of the preceding an abundance of conjectures is already furnished by the commentators.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 25:4

1–6. Abraham’s Descendants by Keturah This section is from J. The children by a concubine represent tribal relationship of a secondary and less intimate character. The domestic tradition in these verses preserves the recollection of an early connexion between the ancestors of Israel and the clans or tribes on the borders of the North Arabian desert.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 25:4

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

Sermons on Genesis 25:4

	Sermon	Description
	Surprises at the Birth of Christ by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the possibility of the preaching of the word of God happening today. He emphasizes that for this to occur, a person must genuinely desire to