King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:22 Mean?

Genesis 22:22 in the King James Version says “And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.”

Genesis 22:22 · KJV

Context

20

And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;

21

Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,

22

And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.

23

And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother. Rebekah: Gr. Rebecca

24

And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

Read Genesis 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.... 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. What theological truths about Binding of Isaac emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְאֶת1 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כֶּ֣שֶׂד2 of 10

“And Chesed”

H3777

kesed, a relative of abraham

וְאֶת3 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֲז֔וֹ4 of 10

“and Hazo”

H2375

chazo, a nephew of abraham

וְאֶת5 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פִּלְדָּ֖שׁ6 of 10

“and Pildash”

H6394

pildash, a relative of abraham

וְאֶת7 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִדְלָ֑ף8 of 10

“and Jidlaph”

H3044

jidlaph, a mesopotamian

וְאֵ֖ת9 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּתוּאֵֽל׃10 of 10

“and Bethuel”

H1328

bethuel, the name of a place in palestine

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 22:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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