Genesis 22:24

KJV

And his concubine, whose name [was] Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And his concubine {H6370}, whose name {H8034} was Reumah {H7208}, she bare {H3205} also Tebah {H2875}, and Gaham {H1514}, and Thahash {H8477}, and Maachah {H4601}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His concubine, whose name was Re'umah, bore children also: Tevach, Gacham, Tachash and Ma'akhah.

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, Nahor’s concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

American Standard Version

And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she also bare Tebah, and Gaham, and Tahash, and Maacah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 22:24 concludes the genealogical record of Abraham's brother Nahor, specifically detailing the four sons—Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah—born to him by his concubine, Reumah. This seemingly minor detail, immediately following the profound account of Abraham's test of faith, expands the understanding of Abraham's extended kinship network, establishing connections that would prove significant in future biblical narratives and underscore God's meticulous orchestration of human history within His unfolding covenant plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The placement of [Genesis 22:20-24](/genesis/22-20-24 "Nahor's Descendants") immediately after the climactic narrative of [Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac on Mount Moriah](/genesis/22-1-19 "The Binding of Isaac") is significant. While the preceding verses focus on the ultimate test of Abraham's faith and God's reaffirmation of the covenant, this short genealogical interlude shifts the focus to Abraham's wider family. [Genesis 22:20-23](/genesis/22-20-23 "Nahor's Children by Milcah") enumerates the children of Nahor and his primary wife, Milcah, notably including Bethuel, who becomes the father of Rebekah. [Verse 24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah") then completes Nahor's lineage by listing the children born to his concubine, Reumah. This meticulous record-keeping serves to broaden the narrative scope beyond Abraham's immediate household, providing essential background for future interactions and demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the biblical account.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, genealogies were not mere lists of names but vital documents establishing identity, lineage, inheritance rights, and tribal affiliations. The practice of concubinage, as seen with Reumah, was a recognized social institution in patriarchal societies, though concubines held a status lower than a primary wife. Children born to a concubine were generally considered legitimate heirs, albeit often with a lesser share or status compared to those born of the primary wife. This verse reflects the social norms of the time, where expanding one's family through multiple women was a means of ensuring progeny and securing one's legacy. The mention of specific names, even those of lesser prominence, grounds the narrative in historical reality and reflects the importance of family connections in the ancient world.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader genealogical record of Nahor, contributes to several key themes within Genesis. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating His meticulous orchestration of human history and family lines, even those seemingly peripheral to the main covenant narrative. Secondly, it highlights the **Importance of Lineage and Descendants**, a central theme throughout Genesis, as God's covenant promises are intrinsically tied to Abraham's "seed" (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land and Seed to Abram") and [Genesis 17:7](/genesis/17-7 "The Everlasting Covenant with Abraham and His Descendants")). While Reumah's sons are not directly in the covenant line, their inclusion provides a comprehensive picture of the broader family network that would interact with Abraham's descendants. Finally, it subtly touches upon **Social Structures of the Patriarchal Age**, illustrating the accepted practices like concubinage that formed the backdrop of the patriarchs' lives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 22:24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah") states: "And his concubine, whose name [was] Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah." This verse completes the family tree of Nahor, Abraham's brother, by detailing the children born to him by his concubine.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **concubine (Hebrew, _pîylegesh'_):** (H6370) This term refers to a secondary wife, a woman who lives with a man in a recognized marital relationship but typically holds a lower status than a primary wife. Her children were considered legitimate, though their inheritance rights might be less than those of children born to the chief wife. The inclusion of "concubine" here highlights the social customs of the patriarchal period, where such unions were common for the purpose of procreation and family expansion.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** (H8034) More than just an appellation, a "name" in ancient Hebrew culture often conveyed identity, character, and reputation. To have one's name recorded in a genealogy was to have one's existence and contribution to the family line acknowledged and memorialized. The specific mention of Reumah's name, alongside her status, indicates her recognized place within Nahor's household and the legitimacy of her offspring.
* **bare (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** (H3205) This primitive root means "to bear young" or "to beget." In this context, it signifies the act of giving birth, emphasizing the direct biological connection and the continuation of the family line. The phrase "she bare also" underscores that these children are an addition to Nahor's existing progeny from his primary wife, further expanding his lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his concubine, whose name [was] Reumah,"**: This opening phrase introduces Reumah as a concubine of Nahor, Abraham's brother. The specific mention of her name, Reumah (meaning "raised" or "exalted" according to H7208), personalizes her role and indicates her recognized, albeit secondary, position within Nahor's household. This detail provides insight into the social and familial structures prevalent in the ancient Near East during the patriarchal era, where concubinage was a common practice for extending family lines.
* **"she bare also"**: The word "also" is crucial here, serving as a connective that links this verse to the preceding verses ([Genesis 22:20-23](/genesis/22-20-23 "Nahor's Children by Milcah")) which list the children born to Nahor by his primary wife, Milcah. It signifies that the following list of sons are additional descendants, further expanding Nahor's extensive progeny and contributing to the broader network of Abraham's extended kinship.
* **"Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah."**: This is the specific list of the four sons born to Nahor by Reumah. While these individuals do not play significant, active roles in the subsequent biblical narrative, their inclusion demonstrates the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies. These names, like Tebah (H2875, possibly related to "massacre"), Gaham (H1514, "flame"), Thahash (H8477, a type of animal or skin), and Maachah (H4601, "depression," also a place name), are recorded to provide a comprehensive account of Nahor's offspring, reinforcing the historical grounding of the biblical record and the importance of documenting all family lines.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Genesis 22:24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah") is **Genealogy**, specifically a **List** of descendants. Genealogies in the Bible serve multiple purposes: they establish historical continuity, confirm lineage for covenant promises, and define family and tribal relationships. This verse, as part of a larger genealogical section, functions as a detailed record, emphasizing the expansion of Nahor's family. The meticulous naming of each son, even those who do not feature prominently later, highlights the biblical author's commitment to comprehensive historical documentation. While not a direct **Foreshadowing**, the inclusion of this broader kinship network subtly sets the stage for future interactions, such as the eventual marriage of Isaac to Rebekah, who descends from Nahor's other wife, reinforcing the interconnectedness of these early patriarchal families.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The inclusion of seemingly minor genealogical details like those in [Genesis 22:24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah") underscores a profound theological truth: God's intricate involvement in human history and His meticulous attention to the details of lineage. While these specific sons of Reumah do not directly impact the main covenant line, their mention contributes to the broader tapestry of Abraham's extended family, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration of all human lives and relationships. Every name, every family connection, no matter how brief its mention, plays a part in the unfolding divine plan, laying the groundwork for future interactions and ultimately contributing to the historical framework through which God's redemptive purposes are realized. This highlights the faithfulness of God in preserving and guiding the lineage that would eventually lead to the Messiah.

* [Genesis 10:1-32](/genesis/10 "The Table of Nations") - The "Table of Nations" illustrates the Bible's comprehensive approach to detailing human lineage and the spread of humanity, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all peoples.
* [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") - The New Testament opens with a detailed genealogy of Jesus, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament promises through a specific historical lineage, including many seemingly minor figures.
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "The Genealogy of Jesus") - Luke's genealogy traces Jesus's lineage back to Adam, further highlighting God's overarching plan for humanity and the historical grounding of the Messiah's arrival.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 22:24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah"), a simple list of names, invites us to reflect on the profound truth that every individual, every family, and every detail of history matters to God. In a world that often values only the prominent and the powerful, this verse reminds us that God's plan encompasses even those who appear to be on the periphery. It encourages us to recognize the significance of our own place within God's grand narrative, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant our contributions may seem. Just as God meticulously recorded the lineage of Nahor's concubine, He is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, orchestrating circumstances and connections to fulfill His purposes. This should inspire humility, trust in His sovereign hand, and a renewed appreciation for the interconnectedness of all humanity within His design. Our lives, our families, and our histories are all part of His unfolding story.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's meticulous attention to genealogies, even seemingly minor ones, challenge our modern tendency to overlook or dismiss details?**
* **What does the inclusion of "lesser" figures in biblical genealogies teach us about God's value for every individual, regardless of their prominence?**
* **How can recognizing God's sovereign orchestration of historical details, like family lines, strengthen our trust in His plan for our own lives?**

### FAQ
**Why is this genealogy included after Abraham's test?**

Answer: The strategic placement of Nahor's genealogy immediately following [Abraham's profound test of faith on Mount Moriah](/genesis/22-1-19 "The Binding of Isaac") serves multiple purposes. It broadens the narrative scope beyond Abraham's immediate family, connecting him to his wider kinship network. This is crucial for establishing the lineage of individuals who will become important later, such as [Rebekah](/genesis/24-1-67 "Rebekah's Introduction and Marriage to Isaac"), who descends from Nahor's primary wife, Milcah. This interlude provides necessary background for future interactions and reinforces the comprehensive understanding of the family lines that intertwine with the covenant promise, demonstrating God's meticulous planning.

**What was the status of a concubine in ancient Near Eastern society?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, a concubine (Hebrew: *pilegesh*) was a woman who lived with a man as a secondary wife, often without the full legal or social status of a primary wife. While her status was lower than a wife, her children were generally considered legitimate heirs of the father, though they might have received a lesser inheritance or social standing. The practice was common in patriarchal societies and is recorded in the Bible as a historical reality of the time, reflecting the social structures and norms of that era, particularly concerning the importance of progeny and family lineage.

**Do any of Reumah's sons play a significant role later in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: Unlike some of Nahor's children by Milcah (e.g., Bethuel, father of Rebekah), the sons born to Reumah—Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah—do not appear to play significant individual roles in the subsequent biblical narrative. Their primary purpose in [Genesis 22:24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah") is to complete the genealogical record of Nahor's family, demonstrating the Bible's meticulous attention to lineage and providing a comprehensive family tree for Abraham's extended kin. Their inclusion reinforces the historical depth and realism of the biblical account, showing that God's plan involves a vast network of individuals, even those not directly in the main covenant spotlight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 22:24](/genesis/22-24 "Nahor's Children by Reumah") is a genealogical record seemingly far removed from direct messianic prophecy, it contributes to the overarching biblical narrative that culminates in Christ. The meticulous preservation of family lines, even those of Abraham's extended kin like Nahor's descendants through Reumah, underscores God's sovereign control over human history and His faithfulness in preparing the way for the Messiah. Every name in the biblical genealogies, whether prominent or obscure, points to the intricate tapestry of God's plan to bring forth the Seed of the woman ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")), the descendant of Abraham ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abram")), and the Son of David ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "God's Covenant with David")). Ultimately, Christ is the fulfillment of all genealogies, in whom all the families of the earth are blessed ([Galatians 3:8](/galatians/3-8 "The Gospel Preached to Abraham")), and through whom God's promises find their ultimate "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). His coming validates the historical integrity of these records, showing that God works through real people and real history to achieve His redemptive purposes, culminating in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "The Lamb Worthy to Open the Scroll")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 15:25

¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

Genesis 25:6

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.

Genesis 16:3

And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.