Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. Zimran] Stephanus Byzantinus mentions a city in Arabia Felix called Zadram, which some suppose to have been named from this son of Keturah; but it is more likely, as Calmet observes, that all these sons of Abraham resided in Arabia Deserta; and Pliny, Hist. Nat., lib. vi., c. 28, mentions a people in that country called Zamarenians, who were probably the descendants of this person.
Jokshan] Several learned men have been of opinion that this Jokshan was the same as Kachtan, the father of the Arabs. The testimonies in favour of this opinion see in Dr. Hunt's Oration, Deuteronomy Antiquitate, &c., Linguae Arabicae, p. 4. Calmet supposes that the Cataneans, who inhabited a part of Arabia Deserta, sprang from this Jokshan.
Medan, and Midian] Probably those who peopled that part of Arabia Petraea contiguous to the land of Moab eastward of the Dead Sea. St. Jerome terms the people of this country Madinaeans; and Ptolemy mentions a people called Madianites, who dwelt in the same place.
Ishbak] From this person Calmet supposes the brook Jabbok, which has its source in the mountains of Gilead, and falls into the sea of Tiberias, took its name.
Shuah.] Or Shuach. From this man the Sacceans, near to Batanla, at the extremity of Arabia Deserta, towards Syria, are supposed to have sprung.
Bildad the Shuhite, one of Job's friends, is supposed to have descended from this son of Abraham.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - All the days, even of the best and greatest saints, are not remarkabl days; some slide on silently; such were these last days of Abraham Here is an account of Abraham's children by Keturah, and the disposition which he made of his estate. After the birth of these sons he set his house in order, with prudence and justice. He did this whil he yet lived. It is wisdom for men to do what they find to do whil they live, as far as they can. Abraham lived 175 years; just on hundred years after he came to Canaan; so long he was a sojourner in strange country. Whether our stay in this life be long or short, in matters but little, provided we leave behind us a testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord, and a good example to ou families. We are told that his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him. I seems that Abraham had himself brought them together while he lived Let us not close the history of the life of Abraham without blessin God for such a testimony of the triumph of faith.
Original Hebrew ותלד3205 לו את853 זמרן2175 ואת853 יקשׁן3370 ואת853 מדן4091 ואת853 מדין4080 ואת853 ישׁבק3435 ואת853 שׁוח׃7744
