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;

And it came to pass after {H310} these things {H1697}, that it was told {H5046} Abraham {H85}, saying {H559}, Behold, Milcah {H4435}, she hath also born {H3205} children {H1121} unto thy brother {H251} Nahor {H5152};

Afterwards, Avraham was told, "Milkah too has borne children, to your brother Nachor -

Some time later, Abraham was told, “Milcah has also borne sons to your brother Nahor:

And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she also hath borne children unto thy brother Nahor:

Commentary

Context of Genesis 22:20

Genesis 22:20 marks a significant, though often overlooked, narrative transition in the life of Abraham. The phrase "And it came to pass after these things" directly references the profound test of Abraham's faith, where he was commanded to offer Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-19). Following this ultimate demonstration of obedience and God's renewed covenant promises, the narrative shifts from Abraham's immediate family to his extended kin back in Mesopotamia. This verse introduces news about his brother Nahor's growing family, setting the stage for crucial future developments in the patriarchal narrative.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Timing: This verse highlights God's meticulous timing. Immediately after securing the lineage through Isaac, Abraham receives news about a branch of his family from whom Isaac's future wife will come. It underscores that God works through seemingly ordinary family developments to orchestrate His greater plan.
  • Family Continuity and Lineage: The patriarchal narratives place immense importance on family lines and descendants. The news about Nahor's children assures Abraham that his broader family is also fruitful, which is vital for the eventual search for a suitable spouse for Isaac, ensuring the purity and continuation of the promised seed.
  • Preparation for Future Events: While simple in its statement, this verse is foundational for understanding the events of Genesis chapter 24, where Abraham sends his servant to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac. The names mentioned here, particularly Milcah, the wife of Nahor, are critical as they are the direct ancestors of Rebekah, Isaac's future wife.

Linguistic Insights

The opening phrase, "And it came to pass after these things" (Hebrew: vayhi aḥar ha-d'varim ha-elleh), is a common transitional formula in the KJV, often indicating a new phase or development following a significant event. It subtly signals that the preceding momentous test of faith has concluded, and the divine narrative is moving on to the next critical step in God's unfolding plan for Abraham and his descendants. This phrase connects disparate events, showing a cohesive, divinely guided timeline.

Practical Application

Genesis 22:20 reminds us that God's plans are intricate and often involve details and connections we might not immediately recognize as significant. It teaches us to:

  • Trust in God's Timing: Even seemingly mundane news or distant connections can be part of God's perfect plan for our lives or for the fulfillment of His promises.
  • Recognize God's Sovereignty: God is at work not just in the miraculous, but also in the ordinary course of family life and human events, orchestrating circumstances to achieve His purposes.
  • Value Family Connections: In the biblical narrative, family ties are often crucial for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. This verse underscores the importance of understanding and appreciating our extended family and heritage within God's broader story.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 11:29

    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.

  • Genesis 24:24

    And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

  • Genesis 24:10

    ¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

  • 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 31:53

    The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

  • Genesis 11:26

    And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

  • Proverbs 25:25

    ¶ [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.
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