King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:5 Mean?

Genesis 18:5 in the King James Version says “And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come t...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. comfort: Heb. stay are: Heb. you have passed”

Genesis 18:5 · KJV

Comfort

Context

3

And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

4

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

5

And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. comfort: Heb. stay are: Heb. you have passed

6

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. Make ready: Heb. Hasten

7

And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for the... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֶקְחָ֨ה1 of 18

“And I will fetch”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

פַת2 of 18

“a morsel”

H6595

a bit

לֶ֜חֶם3 of 18

“of bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְסַֽעֲד֤וּ4 of 18

“and comfort ye”

H5582

to support (mostly figurative)

לִבְּכֶם֙5 of 18

“your hearts”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אַחַ֣ר6 of 18

“after that”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם7 of 18

“for therefore are ye come”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

כִּֽי8 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עַֽל9 of 18

“to”

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֥ן10 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם11 of 18

“for therefore are ye come”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַֽל12 of 18

“to”

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם13 of 18

“your servant”

H5650

a servant

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ14 of 18

“as thou hast said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֵּ֥ן15 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה16 of 18

“So do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃18 of 18

“And they said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 18:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 18:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 6:18Psalms 104:15Judges 13:15Genesis 19:8Judges 19:5Genesis 33:10

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