Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,

GENESIS 22:21KJV
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Genesis 22:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 22:21 mean?

Genesis 22:21 lists the sons of Nahor, Abraham’s brother: Huz (the firstborn), Buz (his brother), and Kemuel (who is noted as the father of Aram). This verse is part of a genealogy, giving the names of Nahor’s descendants.

In the context of Genesis, this information comes after the story of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac. The verse is part of a message delivered to Abraham, updating him on his extended family back in Mesopotamia. These names set the stage for later connections between Abraham’s family and his relatives, especially as some of these descendants become important in later biblical stories.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 22:21

  • חוּץ (Huz, ḥūṣ): This is the name of Nahor’s firstborn son. The name itself is not explained in the text, but being listed first marks him as the primary heir.
  • בּוּז (Buz, buz): This is the name of Huz’s brother. The name later appears as a region or people group, showing the significance of these descendants.
  • קְמוּאֵל (Kemuel, qəmūʾēl): Kemuel is noted as the father of Aram, which links this genealogy to later groups and regions.
  • אֲרָם (Aram, ʾarām): Aram is both a personal name and the name of a region (Syria), so this note connects Nahor’s line to the broader ancient Near Eastern world.

Why Genesis 22:21 matters

  • This verse helps clarify Abraham’s extended family tree, which is important for understanding later relationships and marriages in Genesis.
  • Mentioning Kemuel as the father of Aram connects Abraham’s family to the people and lands of Aram, which appear throughout the Bible.
  • The genealogy here emphasizes that God’s promises and plans involve not just Abraham’s direct descendants, but also his wider family network.

Where else these words appear

“Buz” Hebrew H938 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:14 These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
  • Jeremiah 25:23 Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,

“Kemuel” Hebrew H7055 · used in 3 verses

  • Numbers 34:24 And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

“Huz” Hebrew H5780 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 10:23 And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
  • Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

“firstborn” Hebrew H1060 · used in 96 verses

  • Genesis 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,
  • Numbers 3:41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me(I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:27 And the sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel were, Maaz, and Jamin, and Eker.