King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:24 Mean?

Genesis 22:24 in the King James Version says “And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 22:24 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.... 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 should this truth about Covenant Reaffirmation shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּפִֽילַגְשׁ֖וֹ1 of 14

“And his concubine”

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

וּשְׁמָ֣הּ2 of 14

“whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

רְאוּמָ֑ה3 of 14

“was Reumah”

H7208

reumah, a syrian woman

וַתֵּ֤לֶד4 of 14

“she bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

גַּם5 of 14
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הִוא֙6 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֶת7 of 14
H853

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

טֶ֣בַח8 of 14

“also Tebah”

H2875

tebach, the name of a mesopotamian and of an israelite

וְאֶת9 of 14
H853

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

גַּ֔חַם10 of 14

“and Gaham”

H1514

gacham, a son of nahor

וְאֶת11 of 14
H853

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

תַּ֖חַשׁ12 of 14

“and Thahash”

H8477

tachash, a relative of abraham

וְאֶֽת13 of 14
H853

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

מַעֲכָֽה׃14 of 14

“and Maachah”

H4601

maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman

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 22:24 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 22:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 16:3Genesis 25:6Proverbs 15:25

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Genesis 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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