King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:35 Mean?

Genesis 24:35 in the King James Version says “And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.”

Genesis 24:35 · KJV

Context

33

And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.

34

And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

35

And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

36

And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

37

And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, a... 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 Isaac's Marriage emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַֽיהוָ֞ה1 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

בֵּרַ֧ךְ2 of 16

“hath 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

אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

אֲדֹנִ֛י4 of 16

“my master”

H113

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

מְאֹ֖ד5 of 16

“greatly”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַיִּגְדָּ֑ל6 of 16

“and he is become great”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

וַיִּתֶּן7 of 16

“and he hath given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֞וֹ8 of 16
H0
צֹ֤אן9 of 16

“flocks”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבָקָר֙10 of 16

“and herds”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וְכֶ֣סֶף11 of 16

“and silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָ֔ב12 of 16

“and gold”

H2091

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

וַֽעֲבָדִם֙13 of 16

“and menservants”

H5650

a servant

וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת14 of 16

“and maidservants”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וּגְמַלִּ֖ים15 of 16

“and camels”

H1581

a camel

וַֽחֲמֹרִֽים׃16 of 16

“and asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

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 24:35 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 24:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 13:2Genesis 24:1Proverbs 10:22Psalms 107:38Matthew 6:33Genesis 12:16

Test Your Knowledge

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

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