King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:21 Mean?

Genesis 24:21 in the King James Version says “And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.”

Genesis 24:21 · KJV

Peace

Context

19

And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

20

And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

21

And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

22

And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; earring: or, jewel for the forehead

23

And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous... 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. How should this truth about Servant's Faith shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְהָאִ֥ישׁ1 of 10

“And the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִשְׁתָּאֵ֖ה2 of 10

“wondering”

H7583

to stun, i.e., (intransitively) be astonished

לָ֑הּ3 of 10
H0
מַֽחֲרִ֕ישׁ4 of 10

“at her held his peace”

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

לָדַ֗עַת5 of 10

“to wit”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

הַֽהִצְלִ֧יחַ6 of 10

“had made”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

יְהוָ֛ה7 of 10

“whether the LORD”

H3068

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

דַּרְכּ֖וֹ8 of 10

“his journey”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אִם9 of 10

“or”

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹֽא׃10 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

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 24:21 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 24:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 107:43Genesis 24:122 Samuel 7:18-20Luke 2:19Luke 2:51Psalms 116:1-7

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