King James Version

What Does Genesis 25:21 Mean?

Genesis 25:21 in the King James Version says “And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wi...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.”

Genesis 25:21 · KJV

Context

19

And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:

20

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

21

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

23

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Read Genesis 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him... 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר1 of 14

“intreated”

H6279

to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)

יִצְחָ֤ק2 of 14

“And Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 14

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

לְנֹ֣כַח4 of 14

“for”

H5227

properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of

אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃5 of 14

“his wife”

H802

a woman

כִּ֥י6 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עֲקָרָ֖ה7 of 14

“because she was barren”

H6135

sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs)

הִ֑וא8 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר9 of 14

“intreated”

H6279

to burn incense in worship, i.e., intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)

לוֹ֙10 of 14
H0
יְהוָ֔ה11 of 14

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

וַתַּ֖הַר12 of 14

“conceived”

H2029

to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)

רִבְקָ֥ה13 of 14

“of him and Rebekah”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

אִשְׁתּֽוֹ׃14 of 14

“his wife”

H802

a woman

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 25:21 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 25:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 58:9Luke 1:13Ezra 8:232 Chronicles 33:131 Samuel 1:27Romans 9:10-12

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 25 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes