Keturah: Wife or Concubine?

[Aquila]

I was reading about Abraham and discovered that in one passage Keturah is mentioned as being Abraham’s “wife” (Genesis 25:1,4). However, in another passage she’s mentioned as being his “concubine” (I Chronicles 1:32-33). Was Keturah originally a concubine who became an official wife? Or was the term interchangeable in Abraham’s time? Or was she a concubine/wife? Meaning, while concubines were more like “servants”, Abraham became closer to Keturah and so she was more like a woman who had both hats?

Thoughts?

[Falla39]

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/616

[DividedThigh]

she was his wife, there notion of wife in those days sometimes differs with our version, dt

[Sister Alvear]

does not Jewish history teach she was Hagar? Seems like I remember that from somewhere...

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

does not Jewish history teach she was Hagar? Seems like I remember that from somewhere...

From what I can find that opinion is voiced in the Jewish Midrash. Interesting...

Here's what strikes me... these men of God had multiple wives and concubines (mistresses) and yet they are regarded as holy men of faith. It just strikes me odd. I've often wondered if Paul would have prohibited polygamy for Christian ministers had the Roman Empire not already banned it prior to the time of Paul.