Revision #9827
Ahuzzath
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Biblical Record
- Ahuzzath appears only once in the Bible, in Genesis 26:26. In this chapter Isaac stays in Gerar and, after disputes with the herdsmen of Gerar over wells, goes up to Beersheba. Then Abimelech, king of Gerar, comes to Isaac, bringing "Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army" (Genesis 26:26). Genesis 26:1 calls Abimelech "king of the Philistines."
+ Ahuzzath appears only once in the Bible, in Genesis 26:26. In this chapter Isaac sojourns in Gerar and, after disputes with the herdsmen of Gerar over wells, goes up to Beersheba. There Abimelech, king of Gerar, comes to Isaac with "Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army" (Genesis 26:26). Genesis 26:1 calls Abimelech "king of the Philistines."
=
- Isaac asks why those who hated him and sent him away have now come to him (Genesis 26:27). Abimelech's party replies that they have seen that the LORD is with Isaac and proposes that the two sides swear an oath not to harm each other (Genesis 26:28-29). Isaac prepares a feast, and early the next morning they swear to one another and depart in peace (Genesis 26:30-31). The text records no particular words or actions of Ahuzzath on this occasion.
+ Isaac asks why those who hated him and sent him away have come to him (Genesis 26:27). Abimelech's party replies that they have seen that the LORD is with Isaac and proposes that the two sides swear an oath not to harm each other (Genesis 26:28-29). Isaac makes them a feast, and early the next morning they swear to one another and depart in peace (Genesis 26:30-31). The text records no words or actions of Ahuzzath himself on this occasion.
=
= ## Significance in the Bible
- Ahuzzath was a member of the king's inner circle who accompanied Abimelech when the covenant between Abimelech and Isaac was concluded. The fact that royal officials accompanied the king is understood to show that the oath was not merely a personal promise of the king but a formal commitment on the part of Gerar. Ahuzzath is not mentioned in the New Testament.
+ Ahuzzath was a member of the king's inner circle who accompanied Abimelech when the covenant between Abimelech and Isaac was concluded. The presence of royal officials is understood to indicate that the oath was not merely the king's personal promise but a formal commitment on the part of Gerar. Ahuzzath is not mentioned in the New Testament.
=
= ## Interpretations and Debated Points
- - **The meaning of "friend"**: The word rendered "friend" in the Korean Revised Version ("one of his friends" in the KJV) is often understood to denote a close officer of the king, that is, an adviser or confidant. The Septuagint is reported to have translated the term with a word closer to "groomsman," one who attends the bridegroom.
+ - **The meaning of "friend"**: The term rendered "friend" ("one of his friends" in the KJV) is often understood to denote a close officer of the king, that is, an adviser or confidant. The Septuagint is reported to have rendered the term with a word closer to "groomsman," one who attends the bridegroom.
= - **The name**: The name Ahuzzath is thought to be related to a Hebrew word meaning "possession."
- - **Relationship to Genesis 21**: In Genesis 21:22 Abimelech and Phichol make a covenant with Abraham, but Ahuzzath does not appear in that scene. Interpreters differ over whether the Abimelech of the two chapters is the same person or whether "Abimelech" was a title for the kings of Gerar. Accordingly, some hold that Ahuzzath was a new confidant who came on the scene after the events of Genesis 21. Beyond this, the text provides no further information about Ahuzzath's life.
+ - **Relationship to Genesis 21**: In Genesis 21:22 Abimelech and Phichol make a covenant with Abraham, but Ahuzzath does not appear in that scene. Interpreters differ over whether the Abimelech of the two chapters is the same person or whether "Abimelech" was a title for the kings of Gerar. Accordingly, some hold that Ahuzzath was a new confidant who appeared after the events of Genesis 21. Beyond this, the text provides no further information about Ahuzzath's life.
=
- ## In the Korean Church
- Ahuzzath is rarely treated as a subject in his own right. His name is mentioned mainly as one of Abimelech's party in sermons and Bible studies on Genesis 26, the passage in which Isaac yields the wells and makes a covenant of peace at Beersheba.
+ ## In Korean Churches
+ In Korean Protestant churches, Ahuzzath is rarely treated as a subject in his own right. His name is mentioned mainly as one of Abimelech's party in sermons and Bible studies on Genesis 26, the passage in which Isaac yields the wells and makes a covenant of peace at Beersheba.
Ahuzzath was a "friend" of Abimelech, king of Gerar. According to Genesis 26:26, he accompanied Abimelech, together with Phichol, the chief captain of his army, when the king visited Isaac and was present when the covenant between them was made.
Ahuzzath was a "friend" of Abimelech, king of Gerar. According to Genesis 26:26, he accompanied Abimelech, together with Phichol, the chief captain of his army, when the king went to Isaac, and he was present when the two sides made a covenant.
Full revision
Ahuzzath was a "friend" of Abimelech, king of Gerar. According to Genesis 26:26, he accompanied Abimelech, together with Phichol, the chief captain of his army, when the king went to Isaac, and he was present when the two sides made a covenant.
Biblical Record
Ahuzzath appears only once in the Bible, in Genesis 26:26. In this chapter Isaac sojourns in Gerar and, after disputes with the herdsmen of Gerar over wells, goes up to Beersheba. There Abimelech, king of Gerar, comes to Isaac with "Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army" (Genesis 26:26). Genesis 26:1 calls Abimelech "king of the Philistines."
Isaac asks why those who hated him and sent him away have come to him (Genesis 26:27). Abimelech's party replies that they have seen that the LORD is with Isaac and proposes that the two sides swear an oath not to harm each other (Genesis 26:28-29). Isaac makes them a feast, and early the next morning they swear to one another and depart in peace (Genesis 26:30-31). The text records no words or actions of Ahuzzath himself on this occasion.
Significance in the Bible
Ahuzzath was a member of the king's inner circle who accompanied Abimelech when the covenant between Abimelech and Isaac was concluded. The presence of royal officials is understood to indicate that the oath was not merely the king's personal promise but a formal commitment on the part of Gerar. Ahuzzath is not mentioned in the New Testament.
Interpretations and Debated Points
- The meaning of "friend": The term rendered "friend" ("one of his friends" in the KJV) is often understood to denote a close officer of the king, that is, an adviser or confidant. The Septuagint is reported to have rendered the term with a word closer to "groomsman," one who attends the bridegroom.
- The name: The name Ahuzzath is thought to be related to a Hebrew word meaning "possession."
- Relationship to Genesis 21: In Genesis 21:22 Abimelech and Phichol make a covenant with Abraham, but Ahuzzath does not appear in that scene. Interpreters differ over whether the Abimelech of the two chapters is the same person or whether "Abimelech" was a title for the kings of Gerar. Accordingly, some hold that Ahuzzath was a new confidant who appeared after the events of Genesis 21. Beyond this, the text provides no further information about Ahuzzath's life.
In Korean Churches
In Korean Protestant churches, Ahuzzath is rarely treated as a subject in his own right. His name is mentioned mainly as one of Abimelech's party in sermons and Bible studies on Genesis 26, the passage in which Isaac yields the wells and makes a covenant of peace at Beersheba.