“And her name was Ketura” – Rav said: This is Hagar. Rabbi Neḥemya said to him: ‘But is it not written “[Abraham took] another [vayosef]”?’ He said to him: ‘[That means only that] he married her on the basis of a divine command, just as it says: “The Lord continued [vayosef] speaking to me again, saying”’ (Isaiah 8:5). He said to him: ‘But is it not written “and her name was Ketura”?’
He said to him: ‘That is because she was perfumed [mekuteret] with mitzvot and good deeds.’ [He said to him:] But is it not written: “And to the sons of the concubines12Plural. If Hagar and Ketura were one and the same, Abraham would have had only one concubine. of Abraham [Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he was still alive…]”?’ (Genesis 25:6). He said to him: ‘Pilagsham13The omission of the yud intimates that the word could be interpreted as a single concubine. is written.
“While he was still alive [ḥai]” – [this alludes to Hagar] the one who had sat by the well and said to the One who lives [ḥai] forever: See my misery.’ Rabbi Berekhya said: Even though it says: “She [Hagar] went off and wandered in the wilderness…” (Genesis 21:14), lest you say that perhaps some person was suspected [of becoming immorally involved] with her, the verse states: “And her name was Ketura” – from the word ‘bound up’ [ketar]; she was like one who seals a treasure and takes it out bound and sealed.14Her name indicates that she was chaste after leaving Abraham.
Bar Kappara said: Additions [tosafto] that are granted by the Holy One blessed be He are even greater than the original item. Cain was the original son [of Eve], and Abel, because he was considered an addition, as it is written: “She continued [vatosef] giving birth…[to Abel]” (Genesis 4:2) – he was born with his two twin sisters.15Whereas Cain was born with just one twin sister (see Bereshit Rabba 22:2).
Joseph was the original son [of Rachel], and Benjamin, because addition is written in his regard,16See Genesis 30:24. he produced ten children, as it is written: “And the sons of Benjamin: Bela, and Bekher…” (Genesis 46:21). Er was the original son [of Judah], and Shela, because an expression of addition is used for him,17See Genesis 38:5. he produced ten courts. That is what is written in Chronicles: “The sons of Shela son of Judah: Er, father18The term father in this passage refers to the head of a court. of Lekha; and Lada father of Maresha; and the families of the house of the craft of fine linen, of the house of Ashbe’a...” (I Chronicles 4:21–23).
Job’s age was originally19Before he began to suffer from his afflictions. only seventy years, and one hundred and forty years were added to his life, as it is written: “After this, Job lived for one hundred and forty years” (Job 42:16). Hezekiah’s original reign20Before being reprimanded by Isaiah and praying for forgiveness (Isaiah 38:1–3). was only fourteen years, but fifteen years were added to it, as it is stated: “Behold, I am adding fifteen years to your days” (Isaiah 38:5).
Ishmael was the original son, and the sons of Ketura, because an expression of addition is used regarding them21Genesis 25:1. [the verse tells us] “She bore him Zimran…” (Genesis 25:2).22The verse goes on to list six children.