וּבְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עֵיפָ֤ה וָעֵ֨פֶר֙ וַחֲנֹ֔ךְ וַאֲבִידָ֖ע וְאֶלְדָּעָ֑ה כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י קְטוּרָֽה׃
And the sons of Midian were Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
Morphology
וּבְנֵ֣י (ubənê)
- Root: בן (bn)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural construct
- Translation: “And the sons of”
מִדְיָ֗ן (miḏyān)
- Root: מדן (mdn)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Midian”
עֵיפָ֤ה (ʿêp̄āh)
- Root: עיפה (ʿyp̄)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Ephah”
וָעֵ֨פֶר֙ (wāʿēp̄er)
- Root: עפר (ʿpr)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Epher”
וַחֲנֹ֔ךְ (waḥănōḵ)
- Root: חנך (ḥnk)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Hanoch”
וַאֲבִידָ֖ע (waʾăḇîḏāʿ)
- Root: אבד (ʾbd)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Abida”
וְאֶלְדָּעָ֑ה (wəʾeldāʿāh)
- Root: ילד (yld)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Eldaah”
כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה (kol-ʾēllê)
- Form: Adjective phrase
- Translation: “All these”
בְּנֵ֥י (bənê)
- Root: בן (bn)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural construct
- Translation: “sons of”
קְטוּרָֽה (qəṭūrāh)
- Root: קטור (qṭr)
- Form: Proper noun, feminine singular
- Translation: “Keturah”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with וּבְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן (And the sons of Midian), introducing the list of Midian’s descendants. Each name is connected by the conjunction ו (“and”), linking the sons in a sequence. The final clause כָּל־אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י קְטוּרָֽה (“All these were the sons of Keturah”) summarizes the list.
Grammatical Analysis
The construct phrase בְנֵ֥י קְטוּרָֽה links the sons to their mother, Keturah, emphasizing lineage.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- קטור (qṭr): The name Keturah may imply connection to incense or offerings, symbolizing something precious or valuable.
- ילד (yld): The verb root associated with childbirth and producing descendants.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variations are noted in the major sources such as the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, or the Samaritan Pentateuch. The textual consistency indicates the reliability of this verse as part of the genealogical record in Genesis.