Genesis 25:2

And she bare him The genealogy of Keturah is found again in a shortened form in 1 Chronicles 1:32. That we have to do with a tradition relating to tribes and places rather than to individuals, is clearly shewn by such names as Midian, Shuah, Sheba, and Dedan. In this verse six names are given. In view of other groups of twelve(cf. notes on Genesis 17:20; Genesis 22:21), this number is hardly accidental; see Genesis 25:12.

Zimran Probably from a word meaning "wild goat": cf. Zimri, Numbers 25:14.

Midian The territory with which the Midianites are usually found associated is N.W. Arabia, the east side of the Gulf of Akaba. Groups of Midianites appear in the Sinaitic Peninsula (Exodus 2:15; Exodus 3:1 Extending their influence along the eastern side of the Dead Sea, Midianites appear as the enemies of Israel on the eastern side of the Jordan (Numbers 22:4; Numbers 25:6; Numbers 25:17; Numbers 31:1-12); and in Judges 6 bands of Midianites overrun Palestine. On Midianite trade with Egypt, cf. Genesis 37:28; Genesis 37:36.

Shuah = 1 Chronicles 1:32. Cf. Job 2:11, "Bildad, the Shuhite." It has been identified somewhat precariously with the Assyrian Suhu, on the Euphrates, S. of Carchemish.