Genesis 24:7

Authorized King James Version

The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יְהוָ֣ה׀

H3068

The LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם

H8064

of heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥

H3947

and thou shalt take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִבֵּ֣ית

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִי֮

from my father's

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הָאָ֣רֶץ

H776

and from the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מֽוֹלַדְתִּי֒

H4138

of my kindred

nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring, family

#10

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#11

דִּבֶּר

H1696

and which spake

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#12

לִ֜י

#13

וַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

נִֽשְׁבַּֽע

H7650

unto me and that sware

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

#15

לִי֙

#16

לֵאמֹ֔ר

H559

unto me saying

to say (used with great latitude)

#17

לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔

H2233

Unto thy seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

#18

אֶתֵּ֖ן

H5414

will I give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#19

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#20

הָאָ֣רֶץ

H776

and from the land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#21

הַזֹּ֑את

H2063

this (often used adverb)

#22

ה֗וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#23

יִשְׁלַ֤ח

H7971

he shall send

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#24

מַלְאָכוֹ֙

H4397

his angel

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

#25

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ

H6440

before thee

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#26

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֥

H3947

and thou shalt take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#27

אִשָּׁ֛ה

H802

a wife

a woman

#28

לִבְנִ֖י

H1121

unto my son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#29

מִשָּֽׁם׃

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?
What practical applications emerge from understanding creation and providence as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?

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