Genesis 25:6 kjv

But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

Genesis 25:6 nkjv

But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.

Genesis 25:6 niv

But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Genesis 25:6 esv

But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.

Genesis 25:6 nlt

But before he died, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to a land in the east, away from Isaac.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 6 Meaning

Genesis 25:6 details Abraham's intentional distribution of "gifts" to the sons born of his concubines and his act of sending them away while he was still alive. This was to separate them geographically and economically from Isaac, ensuring that Isaac's inheritance as the son of promise remained unchallenged and fully secure, distinct from any other lineage.

Genesis 25 6 Context

Genesis chapter 25 marks the closing period of Abraham's extraordinary life. Having received numerous promises from God regarding his descendants and the land, Abraham meticulously orchestrates his affairs to ensure the divine covenant's progression through the appointed heir, Isaac. The immediate context shows Abraham marrying Keturah after Sarah's death and fathering more children. Culturally, during the Ancient Near East period, a patriarch's children from concubines often held a secondary status compared to the sons of a primary wife. While these sons typically received a portion of the family's assets, the principal inheritance and patriarchal authority (the "birthright") were reserved for the primary heir. Abraham's actions in verse 6 demonstrate his wisdom and forethought, distinguishing the principal heir from the other offspring and preventing potential disputes or claims on Isaac's full inheritance and covenantal status. This act reflects Abraham's commitment to the covenant that God established exclusively through Isaac.

Genesis 25 6 Word analysis

• But (וּלְבִנְ): A conjunction implying contrast. It distinguishes the fate of the sons of concubines from the primary heir, Isaac, and sets their disposition apart from "all that he had" (verse 5, given to Isaac).
• to the sons (לִבְנֵי, livnei): Refers collectively to Abraham's male offspring from concubines. It emphasizes a paternal relationship, distinct from the unique sonship of Isaac through Sarah.
• of his concubines (הַפִּילַגְשִׁים, hap'pilagshim): The Hebrew term pilagshim (singular: pilegesh) refers to secondary wives, often with lesser social or legal standing than a primary wife, yet whose children were typically recognized. Abraham had Hagar (who bore Ishmael) and Keturah (who bore six sons listed in Gen 25:2-4) as concubines.
• Abraham gave gifts (נָתַן אַבְרָהָם מַתָּנֹת, natan Avraham mattanot):
  • gave (נָתַן, natan): To give, to place, to permit. Here, implies intentional, active distribution.
  • gifts (מַתָּנֹת, mattānot): These were portions of wealth, property, or goods given voluntarily. They are distinct from the inheritance (יְרֻשָּׁה, yerushah), which designates the full rightful share and status of the heir. The use of "gifts" underscores that these sons received a provision but no claim to the covenantal promise or primary land inheritance associated with Isaac.
• while he was still living (בְּעוֹדֶנּוּ חַי, b'odennu chai): This phrase highlights Abraham's proactive wisdom. By settling matters during his lifetime, he avoided post-mortem conflicts, ensuring an orderly transition and preventing potential challenges to Isaac's sole inheritance.
• and sent them away (וַיְשַׁלְּחֵם, vay'shalcheim): The Hebrew verb shalach (שָׁלַח) means to send, send away, or release. In this context, it signifies a decisive and complete separation. It wasn't merely a spatial removal but a severance of their claim on the primary household's future and inheritance. This contrasts with Ishmael's expulsion, which was forced by Sarah; this was Abraham's deliberate and systematic act of order.
• from Isaac his son (מֵעַל יִצְחַק בְּנוֹ, mei'al Yitzchak b'no): This prepositional phrase emphasizes Isaac's unique position as the chosen and exclusive heir. The separation protected Isaac's position from rivalry or diminution of his designated inheritance.
• eastward (קֵדְמָה, kedmah): Indicates a geographical direction. This specific direction ensured their settlement away from Canaan, the Promised Land of Isaac and his descendants.
• to the country of the east (אֶל אֶרֶץ קֶדֶם, el eretz qedem): This more specific geographical designation refers to lands east of the Jordan River, broadly including parts of Arabia, Mesopotamia, and other eastern regions. It reinforces the idea of permanent, separate dwellings for these distinct lineages, fulfilling Abraham's intention for them to form their own nations outside the covenant land.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But to the sons of his concubines": Establishes the group in focus and implies their subordinate status compared to the designated heir. This highlights Abraham's complex family structure and his methodical approach to managing it.
• "Abraham gave gifts, while he was still living": Shows Abraham's prudent and responsible management of his estate. He takes proactive measures to prevent future disputes over inheritance, rather than leaving the potential for conflict to his sons after his death. It also distinguishes their portions as blessings or provisions rather than full inheritance.
• "and sent them away from Isaac his son": This act is crucial for solidifying Isaac's unique covenantal position. It underscores the exclusivity of the Abrahamic covenant through Isaac and prevents potential rivalry or a divided inheritance. This move demonstrates foresight and firm leadership in establishing family order in line with God's purpose for Isaac.
• "eastward, to the country of the east": This specifies the geographical separation and the intent for these lines to develop into separate nations, away from the covenantal land given to Isaac. This action is prophetic in that many of these eastern peoples would become known entities (e.g., Midianites, Ishmaelites, Dedanites).

Genesis 25 6 Bonus section

• This passage highlights the principle of discerning primary from secondary concerns in divine matters. While all Abraham’s sons were blessed, only Isaac was the designated vessel for the covenant promises regarding a great nation and the land.
• The actions of Abraham here prevent future internecine conflicts, contrasting with many instances of family strife recorded throughout Genesis (e.g., Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers), which often arose from ambiguous or contested inheritance.
• This structured sending away and provisioning echoes the earlier expulsion of Ishmael (Gen 21:9-14) but with a significant difference: this time, it is Abraham's intentional, calm, and prudent management, rather than a forced decision due to conflict. It showcases Abraham's growth in wisdom and leadership.
• The "country of the east" later refers to various lands where Abraham’s descendants would establish nations that interacted with Israel, such as the Midianites (descendants of Keturah) and Ishmaelites (descendants of Ishmael), who are mentioned throughout the Old Testament. This verse explains their geographical origin and distinct lineage.
• From a theological standpoint, this separation ensures the purity and clarity of the lineage from which the Messiah would eventually come, underlining God's meticulous care for His redemptive plan.

Genesis 25 6 Commentary

Genesis 25:6 illuminates Abraham’s meticulous and divinely guided efforts to solidify Isaac's status as the sole heir of the Abrahamic covenant promises. This verse follows the declaration that Isaac received "all that Abraham had," and then clarifies the provision made for Abraham's other sons. By giving "gifts" (מַתָּנֹת, mattānot) rather than full "inheritance" (יְרֻשָּׁה, yerushah) to the sons of his concubines, Abraham carefully distinguished their entitlements. This distinction was critical, not only for property but, more importantly, for the theological transmission of the covenant, which was promised to be through Isaac alone (Gen 17:19, 21:12; Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18).

Abraham’s act of "sending them away" while he was "still living" demonstrates immense foresight and prudence. It averted potential future disputes over leadership and resources within the family, especially between the numerous offspring and Isaac, the only son through whom the lineage of the Messiah would flow. The geographical directive "eastward, to the country of the east" further ensured their physical separation from Canaan, the promised land that was Isaac's by divine decree. This careful partitioning reflects Abraham’s wisdom, influenced by his relationship with God, to secure the unhindered flow of the divine plan. It also shows a just, though not equal, treatment of all his sons, providing them with means to establish their own distinct nations (e.g., the Midianites from Keturah). The event reinforces the concept of a chosen line for God's purposes, where human arrangements support the divine will.