King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:22 Mean?

Genesis 24:22 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and tw...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 24:22 · KJV

Context

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?

24

And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a s... 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 does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 18
H834

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

כִּלּ֤וּ3 of 18

“had done”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

הַגְּמַלִּים֙4 of 18

“And it came to pass as the camels”

H1581

a camel

לִשְׁתּ֔וֹת5 of 18

“drinking”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּקַּ֤ח6 of 18

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הָאִישׁ֙7 of 18

“that 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)

נֶ֣זֶם8 of 18

“earring”

H5141

a nose-ring

זָהָ֖ב9 of 18

“a golden”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

בֶּ֖קַע10 of 18

“of half a shekel”

H1235

a section (half) of a shekel, i.e., a beka (a weight and a coin)

מִשְׁקָלָֽם׃11 of 18

“shekels weight”

H4948

weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)

וּשְׁנֵ֤י12 of 18

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

צְמִידִים֙13 of 18

“bracelets”

H6781

generally, a lid

עַל14 of 18
H5921

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

יָדֶ֔יהָ15 of 18

“for her hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲשָׂרָ֥ה16 of 18

“of ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

זָהָ֖ב17 of 18

“a golden”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

מִשְׁקָלָֽם׃18 of 18

“shekels weight”

H4948

weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)

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 24:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 24:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:11-12Exodus 32:2-3Genesis 23:15-16Genesis 24:30Genesis 24:47Jeremiah 2:32

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