King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:1 Mean?

Genesis 24:1 in the King James Version says “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. well: Heb. gone into days” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. well: Heb. gone into days”

Genesis 24:1 · KJV

Context

1

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. well: Heb. gone into days

2

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

3

And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.... 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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
אַבְרָהָ֖ם1 of 9

“Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

זָקֵ֔ן2 of 9

“was old”

H2204

to be old

בָּ֖א3 of 9

“and well stricken”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַּיָּמִ֑ים4 of 9

“in age”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וַֽיהוָ֛ה5 of 9

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בֵּרַ֥ךְ6 of 9

“had blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת7 of 9
H853

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

אַבְרָהָ֖ם8 of 9

“Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

בַּכֹּֽל׃9 of 9
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

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 24:1 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 24:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 3:9Psalms 112:1-3Proverbs 10:22Genesis 13:2Matthew 6:33Genesis 12:2

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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