Keturah

Keturah is a female name of Hebrew origin, found in the Old Testament as the name of Abraham's wife after Sarah dies. The name is derived from the Hebrew Qeṭura (קְטוּרָה), meaning "incense". In the biblical narrative (Genesis 25:1–6), Abraham marries Keturah and fathers six sons with her: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Keturah is sometimes identified by Jewish commentators, such as Rashi, as being the same person as Hagar, Abraham's earlier concubine, though this is not stated in the biblical text.

Keturah's name likely reflects the importance of incense in ancient Near Eastern religious and trade practices. The name appears in two passages of the Hebrew Bible: in the Book of Genesis and in the First Book of Chronicles. Despite her relatively brief mention, she is considered the ancestress of several Arab tribes through her son Midian. One modern commentator has even called her "the most ignored significant person in the Torah."

• Meaning: "incense"
• Origin: Biblical Hebrew
• Type: Given name; Biblical figure
• Usage: English and other Christian traditions