King James Version

What Does Genesis 28:9 Mean?

Genesis 28:9 in the King James Version says “Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the si...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. Mahalath: or, Bashemath”

Genesis 28:9 · KJV

Context

7

And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;

8

And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; pleased: Heb. were evil in the eyes, etc

9

Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. Mahalath: or, Bashemath

10

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. Haran: Gr. Charran

11

And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

Read Genesis 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael A... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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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 this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ1 of 17
H1980

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

עֵשָׂ֖ו2 of 17

“Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל4 of 17

“of Ishmael”

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

וַיִּקַּ֡ח5 of 17

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶֽת6 of 17
H853

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

מָחֲלַ֣ת׀7 of 17

“which he had Mahalath”

H4258

machalath, the name of an ishmaelitess and of an israelitess

בַּת8 of 17

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל9 of 17

“of Ishmael”

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

בֶּן10 of 17

“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

אַבְרָהָ֜ם11 of 17

“Abraham's”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֲח֧וֹת12 of 17

“the sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

נְבָי֛וֹת13 of 17

“of Nebajoth”

H5032

nebajoth, a son of ismael, and the country settled by him

עַל14 of 17
H5921

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

לְאִשָּֽׁה׃15 of 17

“to be his wife”

H802

a woman

ל֥וֹ16 of 17
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃17 of 17

“to be 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 28:9 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 28:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 36:3Genesis 25:13-17Genesis 36:13Genesis 26:34Genesis 36:18

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