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Note 6
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What do we do with these scriptures in the light of Note # 1, The Significance of Terah’s Age When Abraham was born? Schedule 1 of this paper reveals that Terah was probably 130 years old when Abraham was born. We also know that Jacob was about 91 years old when Joseph was born. It is interesting to note in Genesis 11:10-26 that every generation after Noah begat children in the early 30’s or late 20’s of their life. The exception is Shem who begat Arphaxad when he was 100 years old, two years after the flood. Genesis 11:12 states that Arphaxad lived 35 years and begat Salah. Genesis 11:14 declares that Salah begat Eber when he was 30 years old. Genesis 11:16 states that Eber was 34 years old when Peleg was born. Then Genesis 11:18 asserts that Reu was born when Peleg was 30 years old. Genesis 11:20 states that Reu was 32 years old when his son, Serug was born. Following with this same general age, Genesis 11:22 states that Serug was 30 years old when Nahor was born, then Genesis 11:24 declares that Nahor was 29 years old when Terah was born. Terah, Genesis 11:26, having children at the age of 70 is rather "out of place." If we conclude that Terah is 70 years old when he begins having children, he is a lot older than his ancestors since the flood, but not as old as Shem when Arphaxad was born. I think it is possible, and probable, to conclude that there are many children whose names are not given that were sired by Terah before Abram, Nahor, and Haran were born. I think it is possible to conclude that these three children of Terah; Abram, Nahor, and Haran, are only three children in a long line of children sired by Terah, that the story of God’s promises to mankind will be traced through these individuals. Another interesting complication is given in Genesis 25 which gives the story of Keturah and some other concubines of Abraham. What do we do with Keturah and the children Abraham had by her? When were they born? Was Sarah still alive? If Sarah was still alive, why didn’t Abraham mention one of her children being the heir in place of a child by Sarah? Is it because Abraham had already believed (Gen. 15:6) the promised seed would only come through Sarah? If Abraham’s true believing to salvation AND that the promised seed would come only through Sarah, as recorded in Genesis 15:6, why did he take Hagar as a concubine and produce one (and only one) child? Some believe (Matthew Henry) that Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died. (See his commentary on Romans 4:17.) There are many unanswered questions about Keturah and these concubines. We will probably never know the correct answers, but some conjectures on our part may be helpful to understanding this difficult situation. IF Abraham took Keturah to be his wife after the death of Sarah, noting that Abraham was 137 when Sarah died at the age of 127, then there were six children born to Abraham and Keturah. These children all grew up and married and had children, all in the space of time after Sarah died, and before Abraham died. Abraham was 137 when Sarah died, and he died at the age of 175. This is a period of 38 years which is enough time for all these children and grandchildren to be born and grow up. I think it is more likely to conclude, not that Abraham took Keturah to wife and had all these children after Sarah died, but that Abraham had Keturah as a concubine while Sarah was still alive. Genesis 25:6 is a pretty clear indication that Abraham had other concubines besides Keturah. We know Abraham had no compunction against having a concubine because he had Hagar as a concubine while Sarah was still alive. A bird’s eye view of the situation reveals that Genesis 23 speaks about the death and burial of Sarah. Chapter 24 speaks about Abraham sending his servant to get a bride for Isaac, and concludes in verse 67 with Isaac being comforted after the death of his mother. Chapter 24 takes place about three years after the death of Sarah. (Isaac is 40 years old when he married Rebekah, Genesis 25:20. Isaac was 37 when his mother died. This is calculated by remembering that Sarah was 90 years old when Isaac was born, subtracted from her age when she died, 127, arriving at 37 years - the age of Isaac when Rebekah died.) Then chapter 25 tells us the story of Keturah. Considering the fact that Terah was 130 years old when Abraham was born, there is little difficulty understanding that Abraham could have sired children when he was 137 years old, and beyond. However, it seems more likely to me that there is a more palatable explanation. Isaac still needed comfort after his mother had been dead for nearly three years. It is likely Abraham also needed comfort. Abraham knew Sarah was special, not only in his eyes, but also in the eyes of the Lord. Abraham had concubines, but he needed something more. He needed a wife. Therefore Abraham "elevated" Keturah to the position of wife, choosing her over his other concubines. This would help explain the passages that states that Abraham thought his body was past the age of bearing children.
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