King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:27 Mean?

Genesis 24:27 in the King James Version says “And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his tr...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.”

Genesis 24:27 · KJV

Truth

Context

25

She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.

26

And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

27

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

28

And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.

29

And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of ... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּר֤וּךְ2 of 20

“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

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 20

“be the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵי֙4 of 20

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲדֹנִֽי׃5 of 20

“my master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אַבְרָהָ֔ם6 of 20

“Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֲ֠שֶׁר7 of 20
H834

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

לֹֽא8 of 20
H3808

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

עָזַ֥ב9 of 20

“who hath not left destitute”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

חַסְדּ֛וֹ10 of 20

“of his mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וַֽאֲמִתּ֖וֹ11 of 20

“and his truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

מֵעִ֣ם12 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲדֹנִֽי׃13 of 20

“my master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אָֽנֹכִ֗י14 of 20
H595

i

בַּדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙15 of 20

“I being in the way”

H1870

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

נָחַ֣נִי16 of 20

“led me”

H5148

to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)

יְהוָ֔ה17 of 20

“be the LORD”

H3068

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

בֵּ֖ית18 of 20

“to the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲחֵ֥י19 of 20

“brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֲדֹנִֽי׃20 of 20

“my master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

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 24:27 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 24:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:48Genesis 32:10Genesis 24:12Psalms 98:3Ruth 4:14Exodus 18:10

Test Your Knowledge

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

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