Genesis 25:6 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

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

CSB: But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, and while he was still alive he sent them eastward, away from his son Isaac, to the land of the East.

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.

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.

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.

The previous verse was clear that Abraham gave all his great wealth to Isaac (Genesis 25:1–5). In addition, God's covenant promises were established with Isaac, as well. He was the child of the promise. It was Abraham's line through Isaac that would result in God's chosen people Israel and, eventually, lead to Christ Himself.

However, Abraham did not leave his sons by his concubines empty handed. Though never referred to as a "concubine" exactly, it's possible that this includes Hagar (Genesis 16:1–3). Abraham showed great affection for Ishmael, his son by Hagar, and Ishmael will participate in Abraham's burial in the following verses. Keturah, Abraham's "other wife" after Sarah, is referred to as a concubine in 1 Chronicles 1:32. We're not told of any other women who would have been considered Abraham's concubines.

In any case, before Abraham died he gave gifts, probably from his vast wealth, to each of these sons and sent them away from Isaac. Abraham was intent that Isaac remain in the promised land of Canaan and that there be no confusion, even after his death, about exactly who Abraham's sole heir was. To that end, Abraham sent all of these other sons away to the desert regions east of what would later become Israel.

Genesis 25:1–18 adds details before describing the deaths of Abraham and then Ishmael. Abraham has taken another wife, other than Sarah, and has six sons with her. He gives them gifts but sends them all away to the east. Isaac will be his sole true heir. Still, when Abraham dies and is buried at the age of 175, Ishmael joins Isaac for the funeral. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with a description of the region their tribes settled in. Finally, Ishmael dies, as well, at the age of 137.

Genesis 25 is packed with information. Abraham marries another wife, most likely before Sarah died, and has six sons with her. Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried by both Isaac and Ishmael at the family-owned cave where Sarah was buried. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with the region their tribes settled in, to the east of what would later become Israel. And, finally, God grants Isaac's prayer for Rebekah to become pregnant by giving the couple twins: the feuding Jacob and Esau.

The previous chapter tells the story of how Abraham's servant found a wife for Isaac from among Abraham's people. This chapter rushes to fill in the details of the end of Abraham's life before beginning the story of Isaac's years as patriarch. Abraham marries another woman and has six sons with her, eventually sending them all away from Isaac. Abraham dies and is buried with Sarah. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, and then his death is recorded, as well. Finally, Isaac's twin boys are born in response to his prayer to the Lord.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.