Abraham
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, known as the father of faith. His name, meaning "father of many nations," reflects the covenant God made with him. Abraham's life is a testament to faith and obedience, as he left his homeland to follow God's call. His account is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan, as he is an ancestor of Jesus Christ. Abraham's journey encourages believers to trust in God's promises, even when the path is unclear.

had taken
The phrase "had taken" indicates a deliberate action by Abraham. In the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, marriage was often a strategic decision, involving family alliances and the continuation of lineage. Abraham's decision to take another wife after Sarah's death demonstrates his continued commitment to God's promise of numerous descendants. It also reflects the customs of the time, where polygamy was practiced to ensure the survival and prosperity of a family line.

another wife
The mention of "another wife" highlights the practice of polygamy in the patriarchal period. While modern readers may view this through a different lens, it was a common practice in ancient times. The Bible records these practices without necessarily endorsing them, providing a realistic portrayal of human history. This phrase also underscores the importance of family and lineage in God's covenant with Abraham, as the continuation of his line was crucial to the fulfillment of God's promises.

named Keturah
Keturah's name, meaning "incense" or "fragrance," suggests a sense of beauty and value. Although not much is known about her background, her role as Abraham's wife and the mother of his children is significant. Keturah's inclusion in the narrative demonstrates God's faithfulness in expanding Abraham's family, further fulfilling His promise of making Abraham a father of many nations. Her presence in the account reminds us that God often works through unexpected people and circumstances to accomplish His divine purposes.

ABRAHAM'S MARRIAGE WITH KETURAH.

(1) Then again Abraham took a wife.--This rendering implies that Abraham's marriage with Keturah did not take place until after Sarah's death; but this, though probable, is far from certain, as the Hebrew simply says, And Abraham added and took a wife. This statement is altogether indefinite; but as Abraham was 137 years of age at Sarah's death, and lived to be 175, it is quite possible that, left solitary by Isaac's marriage, he took Keturah to wife, and had by her six sons. The sole objection is his own statement, in Genesis 17:17, that it was a thing beyond nature for a man a hundred years old to have a son; how much more improbable, then, must it have become after forty more years had passed by! The argument on the other side, which would infer that the marriage took place in Sarah's lifetime, from the fact that the birth of grandchildren is mentioned in Genesis 25:3-4, has little weight, as their names might have been subsequently added to bring down the genealogy to a later date.

Jewish commentators cut the knot by identifying Keturah with Hagar, who in the meanwhile had, as they say, set an example of matronly virtue in the manner in which she had devoted herself to the bringing up of Ishmael. But in Genesis 25:6 there is an evident allusion to both Hagar and Keturah in the mention of Abraham's "concubines" in the plural; and in 1Chronicles 1:32 the children of Keturah are distinguished from Hagar's one son, Ishmael. To this we must add that as Ishmael was fourteen years old when Isaac was born, he would be now about fifty-four years of age, and his mother have passed the period of life when she could bear six sons. . . .