Abraham’s later sons and his death

25:1 Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah. 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 25:3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. 25:4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. 25:5 Everything he owned Abraham left to his son Isaac. 25:6 But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to the east, away from his son Isaac. 25:7 Abraham lived a total of 175 years. 25:8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man who had lived a full life. He joined his ancestors. 25:9 His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar, the Hethite. 25:10 This was the field Abraham had purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 25:11 After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac. Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi. 25:12 This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 25:13 These are the names of Ishmael’s sons, by their names according to their records: Nebaioth (Ishmael’s firstborn), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 25:14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 25:15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names by their settlements and their camps – twelve princes according to their clans. 25:17 Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. He breathed his last and died; then he joined his ancestors. 25:18 His descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which runs next to Egypt all the way to Asshur. They settled away from all their relatives.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Abraham gives the covenant inheritance to Isaac. He also provides for his other sons. Then he dies in peace, is buried in the promised land, and God blesses Isaac. Ishmael’s family is recorded as a real and blessed line, but not the covenant line.

Abraham had more children after Isaac through Keturah. Their names are listed to show that Abraham had other descendants. But Abraham gave all he owned to Isaac. He also gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them east, away from Isaac. This shows clear order in the household and makes Isaac the main heir.

Abraham lived a full life and died at 175 years old. The text says he breathed his last, joined his ancestors, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah, where Sarah was buried. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him together. This honors Abraham and also shows peace between the sons at his death.

After Abraham died, God blessed Isaac. The blessing did not end with Abraham. It continued through the son of promise.

Then the passage turns to Ishmael. His sons are listed, and they become twelve princes according to their clans. This matches God’s earlier promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. Ishmael also lived a full life, died, and was buried. His descendants settled apart from their relatives. He is honored in the record, but he is not the one through whom the covenant promise continues.

• God chose Isaac as Abraham’s heir.
• Abraham provided for his other sons, but they did not receive the main inheritance.
• Abraham’s burial in Machpelah confirmed the land promise.
• God blessed Isaac after Abraham’s death.
• Ishmael was truly blessed and became a great people, but he was outside the covenant line.

• Warning: do not confuse common family blessing with covenant inheritance.
• Promise: God continued his blessing through Isaac.
• Command: Abraham acted with order by providing for his other sons before his death.

This passage narrows the Abrahamic promise to Isaac. It shows that God keeps his covenant through the chosen line while also giving real but limited blessing to other descendants. Abraham’s burial in the promised land points to God’s continued faithfulness to the land promise, and the record of Ishmael shows that God’s broader providence also remains at work.

Trust God’s choice, not human assumptions about who should receive the promise. Be faithful and orderly in family responsibilities. Remember that a full life is measured by God’s care and faithfulness, not only by long years.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary