The Meaning of Genesis 25:3 Explained

Genesis 25:3

KJV: And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

YLT: And Jokshan hath begotten Sheba and Dedan; and the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim;

Darby: And Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan; and the sons of Dedan were the Asshurim, and the Letushim, and the Leummim.

ASV: And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Jokshan  begat  Sheba,  and Dedan.  And the sons  of Dedan  were Asshurim,  and Letushim,  and Leummim. 

What does Genesis 25:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 25:1-18 - Abraham's Death And Burial
After being for sixteen years contemporary with his grandsons, Esau and Jacob, Abraham died without owning a foot of land except the cave for which he had paid, as a stranger might. But all was his. He was persuaded of God's faithfulness, and earnestly reached out his hands toward the City with foundations. See Hebrews 11:13. He was full. Those who had known him in Ur might have looked on his life as a huge failure, and have spoken of him as a fanatic who had sacrificed all for nothing. But he was satisfied. He was gathered to his people, a phrase which does not refer to the body, for his people were far away across the desert, but to the recognition and welcome that awaited him on the other side of death. His sons, Isaac and Ishmael, differed widely. The one dwelled by the well, engaged in pastoral pursuits, while the other lived by his own strong hand, in the desert expanse. But they met in their common respect and grief. Births and deaths unite families. We all stand today in thankfulness at Lincoln's cradle. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 25

1  The sons of Abraham by Keturah
5  The division of his goods
7  His age, death, and burial
11  God blesses Isaac
12  The generations of Ishmael
17  His age and death
19  Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren
22  The children strive in her womb
24  The birth of Esau and Jacob
27  Their different characters and pursuits
29  Esau sells his birthright

What do the individual words in Genesis 25:3 mean?

And Jokshan begat - Sheba and Dedan And the sons of Dedan were Asshurites and Letushites and Leummim
וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת־ שְׁבָ֖א וְאֶת־ דְּדָ֑ן וּבְנֵ֣י דְדָ֔ן הָי֛וּ אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ים וּלְאֻמִּֽים

וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן  And  Jokshan 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָקְשָׁן  
Sense: a son of Abraham by Keturah and father of Sheba and Dedan.
יָלַ֔ד  begat 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָלַד 
Sense: to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
שְׁבָ֖א  Sheba 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שְׁבָא  
Sense: son of Joktan and a descendant of Seth.
דְּדָ֑ן  Dedan 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דְּדָן 
Sense: the son of Raamah and grandson of Cush.
וּבְנֵ֣י  And  the  sons 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
דְדָ֔ן  of  Dedan 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דְּדָן 
Sense: the son of Raamah and grandson of Cush.
אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם  Asshurites 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֲשׁוּרִי 
Sense: a tribe inhabiting the plain of Esdraelon.
וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ים  and  Letushites 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לְטוּשִׁים  
Sense: the 2nd son of Dedan, grandson of Jokshan, great grandson of Abraham by Keturah.
וּלְאֻמִּֽים  and  Leummim 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לְאֻמִּים  
Sense: son of Dedan and grandson of Jokshan.