The Six Sons

Book of Genesis  (Sefer Breishis)— Chapter 25, Verse 2

The six sons of Avraham with Keturah

It states:

וַתֵּלֶד לוֹ אֶת־זִמְרָן וְאֶת־יָקְשָׁן וְאֶת־מְדָן וְאֶת־מִדְיָן וְאֶת־יִשְׁבָּק וְאֶת־שׁוּחַ

She bore him:

• Zimran(זִמְרָן)
• Yokshan(יָקְשָׁן)
• Medan(מְדָן)
• Midian(מִדְיָן)
• Ishbak(יִשְׁבָּק)
• Shuach(שׁוּחַ)

Genesis 25:6

Avraham gave them  gifts (matanot)  and sent them eastward.

Chassidus explains:

• “Gifts” = spiritual knowledge
• Knowledge of spiritual forces / Sheimos
• Root of certain Eastern wisdom traditions
• Sent eastward meaning:

👉 Outside the covenant of Yitzchak (Isaac)

👉 Outside the direct line of Torah revelation

Why Six — Not Seven?

Seven

Represents completion (Shabbos).

Six

• Movement
• Structure
• Emotional expression
• World before refinement

These sons symbolize divine energy expressed without full integration into holiness.

🔥 Deeper Chabad Angle

Avraham represents infinite Divine kindness — Chesed of Atzilus.

Yitzchak channels that energy inward.

The six sons represent overflow energy — Chesed without Gevurah refinement.

In mystical language: they stem from chitzoniyus (outer expression), not pnimius (inner essence).