King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:5 Mean?

Genesis 24:5 in the King James Version says “And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs brin...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?”

Genesis 24:5 · KJV

Context

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:

4

But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

5

And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?

6

And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.

7

The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this lan... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעֶ֔בֶד3 of 21

“And the servant”

H5650

a servant

אוּלַי֙4 of 21
H194

if not; hence perhaps

לֹֽא5 of 21
H3808

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

תֹאבֶ֣ה6 of 21

“will not be willing”

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה7 of 21

“unto him Peradventure the woman”

H802

a woman

לָלֶ֥כֶת8 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרַ֖י9 of 21

“me”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֶל10 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֖רֶץ11 of 21

“unto the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֑את12 of 21
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אָשִׁיב֙13 of 21

“again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אָשִׁיב֙14 of 21

“again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶת15 of 21
H853

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

בִּנְךָ֔16 of 21

“thy son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֶל17 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֖רֶץ18 of 21

“unto the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר19 of 21
H834

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

יָצָ֥אתָ20 of 21

“from whence thou camest”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִשָּֽׁם׃21 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 24:5 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 24:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 4:2Exodus 20:7Proverbs 13:16Genesis 24:58Exodus 9:2

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