Genesis 37:25

Authorized King James Version

And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ֮

H3427

And they sat down

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לֶֽאֱכָל

H398

to eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

לֶחֶם֒

H3899

bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

נֹֽשְׂאִ֗ים

H5375

and they lifted up

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙

H5869

their eyes

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיִּרְא֔וּ

H7200

and looked

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּה֙

H2009

lo!

אֹֽרְחַ֣ת

H736

and behold a company

a caravan

יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים

H3459

of Ishmeelites

a jishmaelite or descendant of jishmael

#10

בָּאָ֖ה

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#11

מִגִּלְעָ֑ד

H1568

from Gilead

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

#12

וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֣ם

H1581

with their camels

a camel

#13

נֹֽשְׂאִ֗ים

H5375

and they lifted up

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#14

נְכֹאת֙

H5219

spicery

properly, a smiting, i.e., (concretely) an aromatic gum (perhaps styrax) (as powdered)

#15

וּצְרִ֣י

H6875

and balm

distillation, i.e., balsam

#16

וָלֹ֔ט

H3910

and myrrh

a gum (from its sticky nature), probably ladanum

#17

הֽוֹלְכִ֖ים

H1980

going

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#18

לְהוֹרִ֥יד

H3381

to carry it down

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

#19

מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃

H4714

to Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 37 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Biblical Timeline