Genesis 22:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 22:20 mean?

Genesis 22:20 reports that after the events involving Abraham and Isaac, Abraham received news that his brother Nahor’s wife, Milcah, had also given birth to children. This verse marks a shift in the story, introducing new family information to Abraham.

Genesis 22:20 is set after the dramatic story of Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac. The verse is a narrative pause, where someone brings Abraham a message about his extended family—specifically, that Milcah, wife of his brother Nahor, has borne children. This sets up later genealogies and connections between Abraham’s family and other key biblical figures.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 22:20

• "after" (אַחֲרֵי, ’acharei): This word signals that the news comes after significant previous events, underlining a transition in Abraham’s story.
• "told" (נָגַד, nagad): This verb means to report or announce, showing that Abraham is being informed by someone else, not discovering the news himself.
• "children" (בֵּן, ben): The word here means "sons" or "children," and its use emphasizes the continuation of Nahor’s family line, which will matter in later biblical stories.

Why Genesis 22:20 matters

• Genesis 22:20 connects Abraham’s story to his wider family, reminding readers that God’s promises and plans involve more than just Abraham and Isaac.
• The verse introduces Nahor’s descendants, which will be important for later events, such as the marriage of Isaac to Rebekah, who comes from Nahor’s line.
• By pausing to share this news, the narrative shows that family developments elsewhere are still significant, even as Abraham’s story takes center stage.