Dedan רֹדָן
Grandson of Abraham through Jokshan
Who is Dedan in the Bible?
Dedan was a grandson of Abraham through his concubine Keturah and her son Jokshan, as recorded in Genesis 25:3 and 1 Chronicles 1:32. After Sarah's death, Abraham married Keturah, and she bore him several children whose descendants became distinct nations separate from the Israelites who descended through Isaac and Jacob. Dedan appears in the biblical genealogies as part of God's fulfillment of His promise to make Abraham a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-6), though no further narrative details about Dedan himself are provided in Scripture beyond his place in Abraham's family line.
Biography
Dedan is mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis 25 and 1 Chronicles 1 as a descendant of Abraham through his concubine Keturah. He is listed as a son of Jokshan and a grandson of Abraham (Gen.25.3; 1Ch.1.32).
After Sarah's death, Abraham took Keturah as his concubine, and she bore him several children, including Jokshan. Jokshan's sons, Sheba and Dedan, are mentioned alongside other descendants of Abraham through Keturah.
The genealogies in these chapters demonstrate God's fulfillment of His promise to make Abraham a father of many nations (Gen.17.4-6). The descendants of Abraham through Keturah, including Dedan, are distinct from the Israelites, who descended from Abraham through Isaac and Israel (or 'Jacob').
Apart from these genealogical references, no further details are provided about Dedan or his specific role in the biblical narrative. His mention serves to highlight the breadth of Abraham's descendants and the various nations that traced their lineage back to the patriarch.
Family
Siblings
Offspring
- Asshurim Early PatriarchEarly nationDescendant of Abraham through DedanView full profile →
- Letushim Early PatriarchEarly nationSon of Dedan, descendant of Abraham and KeturahView full profile →
- Leummim Early PatriarchEarly nationSon of Dedan, descendant of Abraham and KeturahView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 25:3
"Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites."
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1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:32
"The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | רֹדָן |