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Genesis 22:24 - Hidden lineage revealed briefly

Genesis 22:24 - בראשית 22:24

Hebrew Text

וּפִילַגְשׁוֹ וּשְׁמָהּ רְאוּמָה וַתֵּלֶד גַּם־הִוא אֶת־טֶבַח וְאֶת־גַּחַם וְאֶת־תַּחַשׁ וְאֶת־מַעֲכָה׃

English Translation

And his concubine, whose name was Re᾽uma, she bore also Tevaĥ, and Gaĥam, and Taĥash, and Ma῾akha.

Transliteration

U-filagsho u-shmah Re'uma va-teiled gam-hi et-Tevach ve-et-Gacham ve-et-Tachash ve-et-Ma'akha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּפִֽילַגְשׁ֖וֹ וּשְׁמָ֣הּ רְאוּמָ֑ה וַתֵּ֤לֶד גַּם־הִוא֙ אֶת־טֶ֣בַח וְאֶת־גַּ֔חַם וְאֶת־תַּ֖חַשׁ וְאֶֽת־מַעֲכָֽה׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וּפִֽילַגְשׁ֖וֹ וּשְׁמָ֣הּ רְאוּמָ֑ה וַתֵּ֤לֶד גַּם־הִוא֙ אֶת־טֶ֣בַח וְאֶת־גַּ֔חַם וְאֶת־תַּ֖חַשׁ וְאֶֽת־מַעֲכָֽה׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Genesis 22:24) appears in the genealogy of Nahor, Abraham's brother, listing the children born to his concubine Re'uma. This section highlights the expansion of Nahor's family, which later becomes significant in the narrative of Isaac's marriage to Rebecca (Rivka), Nahor's granddaughter (Genesis 24).

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that the term פִילַגְשׁוֹ (his concubine) refers to a secondary wife, not a full wife, as Nahor's primary wife was Milcah (Genesis 22:20). Re'uma's children are listed separately from Milcah's descendants, indicating a distinction in lineage. Rashi also notes that the names of Re'uma's sons—טֶבַח (Tevach), גַּחַם (Gacham), תַּחַשׁ (Tachash), and מַעֲכָה (Ma'akha)—may hint at their roles or characteristics, though their exact meanings are debated.

Midrashic Insights

  • Re'uma's Name: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 57:4) suggests that Re'uma's name (רְאוּמָה, meaning "elevated" or "exalted") reflects her elevated status among concubines, perhaps due to her righteousness or noble lineage.
  • Symbolism of the Sons' Names: Some Midrashic sources interpret the names allegorically. For example, טֶבַח (Tevach, meaning "slaughter") may allude to future conflicts, while תַּחַשׁ (Tachash, related to the word for "dugong" or a type of leather) could symbolize hidden wisdom or craftsmanship.

Rambam's Perspective

Maimonides (Rambam) does not comment directly on this verse, but his principles in Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Melachim 9:1) clarify the status of concubines in Jewish law. A concubine (pilegesh) is a recognized relationship with legal distinctions from a full marriage, often involving fewer formal obligations. This aligns with Nahor's family structure, where Re'uma's children are acknowledged but secondary to Milcah's line.

Significance in Jewish Tradition

This verse underscores the Torah's meticulous recording of familial lines, emphasizing that even secondary branches of Abraham's extended family play a role in Jewish history. The descendants of Re'uma may represent peripheral nations, while Milcah's line leads to Rebecca, the matriarch of the Jewish people. The inclusion of all descendants reflects the Torah's value of every individual's place in the divine plan.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Re'uma mentioned in Genesis 22:24?
A: Re'uma was the concubine of Avraham's brother Nachor (Rashi on Genesis 22:24). The Torah lists her children to show the fulfillment of Hashem's blessing to Avraham that his family would multiply greatly.
Q: Why does the Torah list the children of Nachor's concubine?
A: The Torah lists these descendants to show the beginnings of the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to make Avraham's offspring as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). Even Avraham's extended family was blessed with many children, foreshadowing the great nation that would come from Avraham (Ramban on Genesis 22:20-24).
Q: What is the significance of the names of Re'uma's children in Genesis 22:24?
A: The names Tevach (slaughter), Gacham (burning), Tachash (a type of animal), and Ma'achah (pressure) may hint at future events involving their descendants. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 57:4) connects some names to historical conflicts between nations.
Q: How does this verse about Nachor's family relate to Avraham?
A: This verse shows the contrast between Avraham's chosen lineage (through Yitzchak) and his brother Nachor's family. While Avraham's descendants would become the Jewish people, Nachor's line would produce other nations, some of whom would later interact with Avraham's descendants (Rashi on Genesis 22:20).
Q: Why does the Torah mention concubines like Re'uma?
A: The Torah mentions concubines to give a complete picture of family lineages. In Jewish tradition, while concubines had a lower status than wives, their children were still considered legitimate descendants (Rambam, Hilchos Ishus 1:4). This helps trace important family connections throughout Tanach.