Genesis 24:1

KJV

¶ And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abraham {H85} was old {H2204}, and well stricken {H935} in age {H3117}: and the LORD {H3068} had blessed {H1288} Abraham {H85} in all things.

Complete Jewish Bible

By now Avraham was old, advanced in years; and ADONAI had blessed Avraham in everything.

Berean Standard Bible

By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

American Standard Version

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:1 serves as a pivotal introduction to the final, crucial phase of Abraham's life and God's unfolding covenant plan. This verse concisely encapsulates Abraham's advanced age and the comprehensive, holistic blessing he had received from the LORD, setting the stage for the narrative of securing a wife for Isaac. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness in preparing for the continuation of the promised lineage, ensuring the fulfillment of His grand design through Abraham's descendants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24:1 immediately follows the poignant account of Sarah's death and burial in [Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Genesis 23 - Sarah's Death and Burial"), where Abraham secures a burial plot in the land of Canaan, emphasizing his rootedness in the Promised Land even in bereavement. The declaration of Abraham's advanced age and comprehensive blessing in [Genesis 24:1](/genesis/24-1 "Genesis 24:1 - Abraham's Age and Blessing") thus acts as a crucial transitional statement, marking the patriarch's readiness to pass on the covenantal torch to the next generation. It directly precedes the longest single narrative in Genesis, [Genesis 24](/genesis/24 "Genesis 24 - Isaac and Rebekah"), which meticulously details the process of finding a suitable wife for Isaac—a task paramount for the continuation of the divinely promised lineage. This verse, therefore, functions as a thematic and narrative bridge, linking Abraham's past blessings to the critical future of the covenant through his heir.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, advanced age was often regarded as a sign of divine favor and wisdom, signifying a life well-lived and blessed by the gods. The concept of a patriarch arranging a marriage for his son was a standard cultural practice, crucial for maintaining family lineage, property rights, and tribal identity. Marrying within the extended family or a culturally acceptable group was vital to preserve ethnic and religious identity and avoid assimilation with pagan practices, as evidenced by Abraham's insistence that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman (cf. [Genesis 24:3-4](/genesis/24-3-4 "Abraham's Charge to His Servant Regarding Isaac's Marriage")). The "blessing" (Hebrew: *barak*) was a foundational concept, encompassing material prosperity, numerous offspring, protection, and divine favor, often seen as a tangible manifestation of a deity's relationship with an individual or family. Abraham's wealth and longevity, as described in [Genesis 24:1](/genesis/24-1 "Genesis 24:1 - Abraham's Age and Blessing"), would have been understood by his contemporaries as clear evidence of YHWH's extraordinary favor and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 24:1](/genesis/24-1 "Genesis 24:1 - Abraham's Age and Blessing") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Fulfillment**. The declaration that "the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things" serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, first articulated in [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Initial Promises to Abraham") and reiterated throughout Abraham's journey. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Patriarchal Succession and the Continuation of the Lineage**. Abraham's advanced age signals the impending transfer of leadership and the critical need to secure the next generation of the covenant people, directly leading into the narrative of Isaac's marriage. This emphasizes the divine imperative for the continuity of the "seed" through whom the promises would be realized, a theme central to the entire book of Genesis (e.g., [Genesis 17:7-8](/genesis/17-7-8 "God's Everlasting Covenant with Abraham and His Descendants")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Providence**, as God's blessing "in all things" implies His active and benevolent orchestration of Abraham's life, preparing him for this final, crucial act of securing the future of the covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **old (Hebrew, _zâqên'_ H2204):** This adjective describes Abraham's physical state, indicating he had reached a venerable age. Beyond mere chronology, *zâqên* often carries connotations of wisdom, experience, and a life lived fully. In the context of the patriarchs, it signifies a life blessed with longevity, a mark of divine favor and preparedness for transition.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_ H3068):** This is the covenant name of God, YHWH, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging character. The use of *Yᵉhôvâh* here highlights that the blessing Abraham received was not a matter of chance or human effort, but a direct, intentional act of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God. It underscores His active involvement in Abraham's life and the fulfillment of His promises.
* **blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_ H1288):** This verb signifies the imparting of divine favor, prosperity, and well-being. When God *bârak* someone, it means He bestows tangible and intangible good. The passive form here ("had blessed") emphasizes that Abraham was the recipient of God's active and continuous beneficence, indicating a state of being endowed with comprehensive divine favor and provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abraham was old":** This opening clause immediately establishes Abraham's advanced chronological age, setting a tone of transition and the culmination of a long and eventful life. It prepares the reader for the subsequent narrative concerning the passing of the torch to the next generation.
* **"and well stricken in age":** This idiomatic expression (Hebrew: *ba' bayyamim*, literally "come into days" or "entered into his days") expands upon "old," conveying that Abraham had not merely aged, but had lived a full, complete, and ripe life. It implies a sense of fulfillment, wisdom, and the completion of a divinely appointed journey, signifying that he was ready for the next phase of God's plan to unfold through his son.
* **"and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things":** This climactic statement reveals the divine source and comprehensive scope of Abraham's prosperity and well-being. The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness. The phrase "in all things" (Hebrew: *bakkol*) indicates a comprehensive and holistic blessing, encompassing not only material wealth but also family, peace, spiritual favor, protection, and the fulfillment of promises. This underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, demonstrating that no essential aspect of his life was lacking due to divine provision.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 24:1 employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. The phrase "**well stricken in age**" is a powerful **idiom** (Hebrew: *ba' bayyamim*), meaning "come into days," which signifies a life that has reached its full measure, rich with experience and ripe for completion, rather than merely stating chronological age. This **euphemism** subtly prepares the reader for the patriarch's eventual death and the transition of leadership. The **repetition** of "Abraham" within the single verse emphasizes his centrality to the narrative and highlights the personal nature of God's dealings with him. Furthermore, the declaration that "the LORD had blessed Abraham in **all things**" utilizes **hyperbole** or **merism** to convey a comprehensive and holistic divine provision, implying that every facet of his life, from material wealth to spiritual favor, was touched by God's benevolence. This statement also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, hinting at the divine orchestration of the events to follow, particularly the finding of a wife for Isaac, which is crucial for the continuation of the blessed lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:1 profoundly articulates God's unwavering faithfulness and comprehensive provision for His covenant people. The declaration of Abraham's advanced age, coupled with the affirmation that the LORD had blessed him "in all things," serves as a powerful testament to God's commitment to His promises. This holistic blessing extends beyond mere material wealth, encompassing spiritual favor, family, peace, and the fulfillment of divine purpose, demonstrating that God meticulously cares for every aspect of His chosen ones' lives. The verse thus sets the stage for the crucial next step in the covenant's progression: securing the lineage through Isaac, highlighting the divine imperative for continuity and the transfer of blessing across generations. It underscores that God's plan is not left to chance but is carefully orchestrated, ensuring the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes through His faithful provision.

* [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Initial Call and Promises to Abraham")
* [Psalm 92:14](/psalm/92-14 "The Righteous Still Bear Fruit in Old Age")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "The Blessing of the Lord Brings Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:1 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today, primarily affirming the steadfast faithfulness of God. Just as the LORD meticulously blessed Abraham "in all things" throughout his long and challenging life, we are reminded that God remains faithful to His promises to us, providing comprehensively for our needs—spiritual, material, and relational—in every season. Abraham's life, culminating in divine favor even in old age, encourages us to persevere in our walk with God, trusting that He will complete the good work He began in us, as [Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "God Completes His Work") assures us. Furthermore, the verse prompts us to acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all our blessings, cultivating a posture of deep gratitude and responsible stewardship for all that He has graciously bestowed upon us. Recognizing that His plans for us are for good and for a future and a hope, as articulated in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "God's Plans for Hope and a Future"), empowers us to trust His sovereign provision and guidance in every stage of our lives, from youth to old age, knowing that He desires our holistic well-being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God's comprehensive blessing ("in all things") in your own life, even amidst challenges?**
* **How does Abraham's "well stricken in age" status, coupled with God's blessing, encourage you about aging and the culmination of a life of faith?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for God's provision and to steward His blessings faithfully?**

### FAQ
**What does "well stricken in age" mean in the KJV?**

Answer: The phrase "well stricken in age" translates the Hebrew *ba' bayyamim* (בָּא בַּיָּמִים), which literally means "come into days" or "entered into his days." It is an ancient Near Eastern idiom signifying that a person has lived a full, complete, and ripe life, reaching a venerable old age with a sense of fulfillment and maturity, rather than merely a high chronological number. It implies a life rich with experience and purpose, lived to its appointed measure, as also seen in descriptions of other patriarchs like Joshua in [Joshua 23:1](/joshua/23-1 "Joshua's Advanced Age").

**How was Abraham "blessed in all things"?**

Answer: The phrase "in all things" (Hebrew: *bakkol*) indicates a comprehensive blessing that encompassed every aspect of Abraham's life. This included not only immense material wealth (cf. [Genesis 13:2](/genesis/13-2 "Abraham's Great Wealth")), but also the miraculous birth of his promised heir, Isaac (cf. [Genesis 21:1-3](/genesis/21-1-3 "The Birth of Isaac")), divine protection (cf. [Genesis 12:17](/genesis/12-17 "God Protects Sarah in Egypt")), spiritual favor, peace, and the unwavering assurance of God's covenant promises (cf. [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham")). It signifies a holistic divine provision and favor that left no essential area of his life lacking, demonstrating God's complete faithfulness to His word.

**Does this verse imply Abraham had no more challenges or trials after this point?**

Answer: No, the verse emphasizes God's comprehensive blessing *up to this point* in Abraham's life and sets the immediate stage for the next significant event—finding a wife for Isaac. While Abraham had indeed lived a life marked by profound divine favor and provision, the narrative immediately following still presents a significant challenge: the critical and delicate task of securing Isaac's lineage in a way that preserved the covenantal purity. The blessing signifies God's faithfulness and provision *through* all past trials and His readiness to continue guiding Abraham in the future, not the absence of future responsibilities or potential difficulties, as seen in the careful instructions given to his servant in [Genesis 24:2-9](/genesis/24-2-9 "Abraham's Oath to His Servant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 24:1, with its declaration of Abraham's comprehensive blessing and advanced age, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true heir and culmination of Abraham's lineage. The "blessing in all things" bestowed upon Abraham foreshadows the spiritual blessings "in Christ" that are available to all who believe. While Abraham received temporal and physical blessings, Christ offers eternal life, spiritual adoption, and reconciliation with God, representing the ultimate and perfect "blessing in all things" for humanity (cf. [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). Furthermore, Abraham's concern for the continuation of his seed through Isaac, meticulously orchestrated by divine providence, points directly to God's even more meticulous plan to bring forth the Messiah through this very lineage. Jesus is the promised "seed" of Abraham (cf. [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")), the one in whom all of God's covenant promises find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" (cf. [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Through Christ, the spiritual descendants of Abraham, from every nation, are now able to partake in the blessings originally promised to the patriarch, fulfilling the grand scope of God's redemptive plan (cf. [Galatians 3:8-9](/galatians/3-8-9 "Gentiles Blessed Through Faith")). The comprehensive blessing upon Abraham therefore serves as a type and shadow of the infinitely greater and eternal blessings found in union with Christ.

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

Psalms 112:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psalms 112:3

Wealth and riches [shall be] in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Galatians 3:9

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Genesis 13:2

And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Proverbs 10:22

¶ The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Genesis 18:11

Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.