CETURA (Hebr. Qétúrah). - Second wife of Abramo (Gen. 25, 1), probably Canaanite, whom Abramo is said to have married after the death of Sara. Since, however, he would then have been about 140 years old, whereas the sacred writer relates amazement at his fertility when he was 100 (ibid. 17, 17), and since little time would have remained for the birth and growth of the children, some hold that the union with C. preceded the death of Sara.
By Abramo she had six sons (ibid. 25, 2), progenitors of as many tribes, among them the Madianiti. Before dying, Abramo sent them all away, with gifts, from the land destined for Isacco alone, the heir of the divine promises, and they went, according to the orders received, to dwell toward the east (ibid. 25, 6). Abramo thus took steps to ensure for Isacco and his descendants undisputed possession of their territory, and also preserved them from a contact that might prove a dangerous means of moral and religious corruption.