King James Version

What Does Genesis 25:6 Mean?

Genesis 25:6 in the King James Version says “But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.”

Genesis 25:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

5

And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

6

But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

7

And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

8

Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

Read Genesis 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from ... 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 can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
בְּנוֹ֙1 of 17

“But unto the sons”

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

הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁים֙2 of 17

“of the concubines”

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 17
H834

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

אַבְרָהָ֖ם4 of 17

“had Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

נָתַ֥ן5 of 17

“gave”

H5414

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

אַבְרָהָ֖ם6 of 17

“had Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

מַתָּנֹ֑ת7 of 17

“gifts”

H4979

a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֞ם8 of 17

“and sent them away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מֵעַ֨ל9 of 17
H5921

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

יִצְחָ֤ק10 of 17

“from Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

בְּנוֹ֙11 of 17

“But unto the sons”

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

בְּעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ12 of 17
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

חַ֔י13 of 17

“while he yet lived”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

קֶֽדֶם׃14 of 17

“eastward”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

אֶל15 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֥רֶץ16 of 17

“country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

קֶֽדֶם׃17 of 17

“eastward”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

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 25:6 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 25:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 21:14Judges 6:3Acts 14:17Genesis 16:3Matthew 5:45Genesis 35:22

Places in This Verse

EastRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E18 verses across 10 books
View all places in Genesis 25 →

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