What Does Genesis 21:22 Mean in the King James?

And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:

Genesis 21:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

God’s presence is named across the whole field of your doing, so the work itself becomes a place where that presence is recognized.

THE MEANING

God is with you through the whole range of what you do; the verse places divine presence in the field of action. That presence can be recognized by someone beyond your own point of view, in the pattern of your life.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that God is present only in explicitly religious moments.

THE ROOT

עֹשֶׂה

ʿoseh

GROWS FROM

עשה

ʿasah

To do, make, or bring about.

“doest” in this verse is ʿoseh. The verse names God’s presence alongside the whole field of making and doing. The related noun for work or deed keeps that action audible: presence and work belong in the same sentence.

ALSO GROWS

maʿaseh: Work, deed, or act.

מַעֲשֶׂה

This noun carries the same root into the completed work or deed, joining God’s presence to what you do.

ʿasiyyah: Action or doing.

עֲשִׂיָּה

This form keeps the root’s sense of ongoing activity visible in the verse’s phrase “all that thou doest.”

THE PATTERN

Divine presence accompanies the full range of human movement and action.

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8 · KJVGod’s presence goes with you through the movement ahead and remains through the whole journey.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:20 · KJVThe promise places presence across all days, extending beyond any one moment or task.

And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:17 · KJVThe verse brings every word and deed into the sphere of the Lord’s nature.

THE THREAD

And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Genesis 39:3 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨עשה⁩ (ʿasah, to do or make) for the full scope of activity and pair that doing with God’s presence. Genesis 39:3 extends the picture: work done in that presence is described as prospering in his hand.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us