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Keturah

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Abraham's concubine after Sarah's death, mother of six sons; in poetry, she symbolizes later life, continued legacy, and the complex family structures of biblical patriarchs.

Detailed Definition
Keturah bore Midian and other tribes, extending Abraham’s lineage beyond Isaac (Genesis 25:1–4). In poetry, Keturah represents the expansive reach of patriarchal blessing, the integration of secondary lineages into divine promise, and how covenantal fruitfulness continues beyond primary heirs.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Genesis 25:1–2, Keturah is named as Abraham’s wife after Sarah’s death—a detail used in genealogical poetry to trace tribal origins; Poet Alicia Ostriker includes Keturah in "The Book of Seventy" as a quiet matriarch whose children founded Arabian tribes; In 19th-century hymnody, Keturah symbolizes God’s provision in later life and the continuation of covenant promises; Modern devotional verse contrasts Keturah’s respectful treatment with Hagar’s expulsion, suggesting evolving divine-human dynamics; Some poetic meditations portray Keturah tending Abraham in old age, embodying faithful companionship; In poems about legacy, Keturah’s six sons represent the branching of blessing beyond Isaac.
Additional Notes
Keturah is mentioned in Genesis as Abraham’s wife (or concubine) after Sarah’s death and the mother of several sons who became founders of Arabian tribes; she symbolizes continuity and legacy beyond the primary covenant line, and poets may use her to explore themes of secondary inheritance, matriarchal presence, or cultural blending in biblical narratives.
Also Known As
Keturah wife of Abraham Keturah the Concubine
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