King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then Avram and Nachor took wives for themselves. The name of Avram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nachor’s wife was Milkah the daughter of Haran. He was the father of Milkah and of Yiskah.
Berean Standard Bible:
And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and Iscah.
American Standard Version:
And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Abram{H87} and Nahor{H5152} took{H3947} them wives{H802}: the name{H8034} of Abram's{H87} wife{H802} was Sarai{H8297}; and the name{H8034} of Nahor's{H5152} wife{H802}, Milcah{H4435}, the daughter{H1323} of Haran{H2039}, the father{H1} of Milcah{H4435}, and the father{H1} of Iscah{H3252}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 22:20
- ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
Genesis 17:15
- ¶ And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name [be].
Genesis 24:15
- And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
Genesis 20:12
- And yet indeed [she is] my sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 11:29
Genesis 11:29 is part of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, specifically within the narrative of the Patriarchs. This verse is set in the context of the genealogy of Shem, a son of Noah, tracing the lineage down to Abram (later known as Abraham), who is a key figure in the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Themes:
1. **Family Lineage**: The verse emphasizes the importance of familial relationships and lineage, which is a recurring theme in the Bible. It establishes the ancestry of Abram and his wife Sarai, as well as his nephew Lot, who are central to the unfolding narrative.
2. **Marriage**: The mention of the marriages of Abram and Nahor hints at the significance of marriage as a foundational social institution, which will later be integral to the covenantal promises made to Abraham.
3. **God's Providence**: Although not explicit in this verse, the context suggests that these marriages and the subsequent narratives are part of God's larger plan for His people, beginning with the call of Abram.
Historical Context:
1. **Post-Diluvian World**: This verse is set after the Great Flood, as humanity begins to repopulate the earth. The genealogies serve to connect the post-diluvian world with the new era that will be marked by God's covenant with Abram.
2. **Ancient Near Eastern Background**: The names and places mentioned have counterparts in ancient Near Eastern records, reflecting the historical and cultural milieu of the time. The practice of marrying within the family was common in that era to maintain tribal bloodlines and property rights.
3. **Ur of the Chaldees**: Abram's story begins in Ur, an important Sumerian city-state in Mesopotamia. The call of Abram to leave Ur and go to a land that God would show him is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, which occurs shortly after this verse.
In summary, Genesis 11:29 is a transitional verse that sets the stage for the life of Abram, establishing his family connections and preparing the reader for the monumental events that will follow, including the establishment of the Abrahamic covenant and the birth of the nation of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H87
There are 17014 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâm
Pronunciation: ab-rawm'
Description: contracted from אֲבִירָם; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham; Abram. - Strong's Number: H5152
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָחוֹר
Transliteration: Nâchôwr
Pronunciation: naw-khore'
Description: from the same as נַחַר; snorer; Nochor, the name of the grandfather and a brother of Abraham; Nahor. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H8297
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂרַי
Transliteration: Sâray
Pronunciation: saw-rah'-ee
Description: from שַׂר; dominative; Sarai, the wife of Abraham; Sarai. - Strong's Number: H4435
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְכָּה
Transliteration: Milkâh
Pronunciation: mil-kaw'
Description: a form of מַלְכָּה; queen; Milcah, the name of a Hebrewess and of an Israelite; Milcah. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H2039
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרָן
Transliteration: Hârân
Pronunciation: haw-rawn'
Description: perhaps from הַר; mountaineer; Haran, the name of two men; Haran. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H3252
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִסְכָּה
Transliteration: Yiçkâh
Pronunciation: yis-kaw'
Description: from an unused root meaning to watch; observant; Jiskah, sister of Lot; Iscah.