Genesis 22:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,

NIV: Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of Aram),

NASB: Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of Aram),

CSB: Uz his firstborn, his brother Buz, Kemuel the father of Aram,

NLT: The oldest was named Uz, the next oldest was Buz, followed by Kemuel (the ancestor of the Arameans),

KJV: Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram,

NKJV: Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,

In the previous verse, Abraham learned some news about his extended family. Abraham had left his homeland when God called him to enter Canaan, and in the many years since, Abraham's brother Nahor has fathered several children with his wife Milcah. This and the following verses lists these nephews and nieces of Abraham. They include Buz, Uz, and Kemuel, who became the father of Aram. These names are given primarily because they explain the family history of Rebekah, Isaac's future wife.

Genesis 22:20–24 relates a few details about Abraham's extended family. The prior story involved God's test of Abraham's faith, which Abraham passed through his trusting obedience. The following section begins chapter 23, which relates the death and burial of Abraham's wife, Sarah.

In a test of Abraham's faith and obedience, God commands Abraham to do a terrible thing: kill and offer his son Isaac, whom he loves, as a burnt offering. Abraham sets out to obey without hesitation, having finally learned to trust God's goodness over his own misunderstandings. Instead of allowing the boy to be sacrificed, the Lord calls out to Abraham moments before he kills Isaac, laying bound on an altar. Because of Abraham's obedience, God renews and emphasizes His promises of blessing, multiplied offspring, and victory over future enemies.

In the previous chapter, the long-promised Isaac was finally born to Sarah and Abraham, while Abraham's other beloved son, Ishmael, was sent away to be cared for by God apart from them. Now God tests Abraham's faith and obedience by commanding him to offer his precious son Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham sets out to obey without hesitation, stopping only when the Lord cries out to him. For Abraham's obedience, God renews and emphasizes the blessing on him and his offspring. This marks the beginning of the end of Abraham's story, as the book of Genesis transitions to focus on Isaac and his descendants.

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 1:56:26 AM