Genesis 22:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 22:24 mean?

Genesis 22:24 records that Abraham’s concubine, named Reumah, also bore him four sons: Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah. This verse lists the children born to Abraham through Reumah, separate from those born to his wife Sarah and his other concubine Hagar.

Genesis 22:24 comes at the end of a genealogy section, where the focus is on Abraham’s wider family. The verse is not a speech but a narrative note, giving the names of Reumah’s sons. This detail helps round out the picture of Abraham’s descendants and shows that his family included more than just Isaac and Ishmael.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 22:24

• "concubine" (פִּילֶגֶשׁ, pilegesh): This word refers to a woman in a recognized relationship with a man, but with lower status than a wife. Mentioning Reumah as a concubine clarifies her position in Abraham’s household.
• "bare" (יָלַד, yalad): This verb means "to bear" or "to give birth." The use of this word emphasizes that Reumah was the biological mother of these four sons.
• The names "Reumah" (רְאוּמָה, Re'umah), "Tebah" (טֶבַח, Tebah), "Gaham" (גַּחַם, Gaham), "Thahash" (תַּחַשׁ, Thahash), and "Maachah" (מַעֲכָה, Ma'akhah) are listed without further detail, but their inclusion shows the broader scope of Abraham’s lineage.

Why Genesis 22:24 matters

• Genesis 22:24 reminds readers that Abraham’s family was larger and more complex than just the line through Isaac; it included other children whose descendants may have played roles in the region’s later history.
• The verse clarifies that not all of Abraham’s children were from Sarah or Hagar, highlighting the social structure and customs of the time regarding concubines.
• This genealogy connects to the surrounding chapters, which trace the family lines leading to various peoples and nations, showing how Abraham became the ancestor of many groups.