Genesis 22:24

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Genesis 22:24 continues the genealogical record of Abraham's brother, Nahor, detailing the children born to him by his concubine, Reumah. This verse is part of a larger section (verses 20-24) that expands on the family tree of Abraham, introducing key individuals who will play a role in later biblical narratives.

Context

Following the profound account of Abraham's ultimate test of faith on Mount Moriah, the narrative shifts to provide important genealogical information. This section introduces Nahor's descendants, complementing the lineage of Abraham through Isaac. While verses 20-23 list the children born to Nahor by his wife Milcah, verse 24 specifies the four sons born to him by his concubine, Reumah: Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah. This detail was crucial in ancient Near Eastern cultures for understanding family alliances, inheritance, and tribal origins.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Genealogical Precision: The Bible's meticulous record-keeping of family lines, even for secondary figures like Nahor, underscores the importance of lineage in God's plan. These genealogies serve as a historical backbone, connecting individuals to larger divine purposes.
  • Expansion of Abraham's Extended Family: This verse broadens our understanding of Abraham's wider kinship network. The descendants of Nahor, particularly through his son Bethuel (Milcah's son), become significant, as Rebekah, Isaac's future wife, descends from this very branch of the family.
  • Cultural Practice of Concubinage: The mention of Reumah as a "concubine" reflects a common social practice in the ancient world, where concubines often held a secondary status to wives but their children were recognized as legitimate heirs. This highlights the social customs of the patriarchal period.

Practical Application

While a list of names might seem distant to a modern reader, Genesis 22:24 reminds us of the intricate tapestry of God's providence. Every individual, even those mentioned briefly in a genealogy, plays a part in the unfolding divine narrative. It underscores the importance of family connections and the historical grounding of biblical events. Just as these names were vital for understanding ancient alliances and future narratives, our own family histories and connections contribute to the larger story of humanity and God's work in the world.

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Cross-References

  • Proverbs 15:25 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 25:6 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.