Genesis24
New American Standard
1Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way.
2Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh,
3and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live;
4but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5The servant said to him, “Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?”
6Then Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there!
7The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give this land’—He will send His angel ahead of you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.
8But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free of this oath of mine; only do not take my son back there.”
9So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and went out with a variety of good things of his master’s in his hand; so he set out and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
11He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water when it was evening, the time when women go out to draw water.
12And he said, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;
14now may it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
15And it came about, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder.
16The young woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had had relations with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up.
17Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.”
18And she said, “Drink, my lord”; then she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink.
19Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels until they have finished drinking.”
20So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.
21Meanwhile, the man was taking a close look at her in silence, to find out whether the Lord had made his journey successful or not.
22When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold,
23and he said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to stay overnight at your father’s house?”
24She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.”
25Again she said to him, “We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to stay overnight.”
26Then the man bowed low and worshiped the Lord.
27And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned His kindness and His trustworthiness toward my master; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.”
28Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
29Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.
30When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31And he said, “Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside, since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?”
32So the man entered the house. Then Laban unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33But when food was set before him to eat, he said, “I will not eat until I have stated my business.” And he said, “Speak on.”
34So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
35The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and slave women, and camels and donkeys.
36Now my master’s wife Sarah bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has.
37My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;
38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’
39Then I said to my master, ‘Suppose the woman does not follow me.’
40And he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful, and you will take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father’s house;
41then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
42“So I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if now You will make my journey on which I have been going successful;
43behold, I am standing by the spring, and may it be that the young unmarried woman who comes out to draw water, and to whom I say, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar”;
44and she says to me, “You drink, and I will draw for your camels also”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’
45“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.
47Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him’; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.
48And I bowed low and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49So now if you are going to deal kindly and truthfully with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me now, so that I may turn to the right or the left.”
50Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The matter has come from the Lord; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.
51Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.”
52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the Lord.
53And the servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.
54Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they got up in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.”
55But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.”
56However, he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away so that I may go to my master.”
57And they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her.”
58Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”
59So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men.
60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, Become thousands of ten thousands, And may your descendants possess The gate of those who hate them.”
61Then Rebekah got up with her female attendants, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.
62Now Isaac had come back from a journey to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev.
63Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he raised his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming.
64Rebekah raised her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.
65She said to the servant, “Who is that man walking in the field to meet us?” And the servant said, “He is my master.” Then she took her veil and covered herself.
66The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; so Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 24.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Abraham's care for Isaac's marriage. (1–9). The journey of Abraham's servant to Mesopotamia, His meeting with Rebekah. (10–28). Rebekah and her relatives consent to her marriage. (29–53). The happy meeting and marriage of Isaac and rebekah. (54–67).
vv1-9
The effect of good example, good teaching, and the worship of God in a family, will generally appear in the piety, faithfulness, prudence, and affection of the servants. To live in such families, or to have such servants, both are blessings from God which should be highly valued, and thankfully acknowledged. But no concern in life is of greater importance to ourselves, to others, or to the church of God, than marriage. It therefore ought always to be undertaken with much care and prudence, especially with reference to the will of God, and with prayer for his direction and blessing. Where good parents are not consulted and regarded, the blessing of God cannot be expected. Parents, in disposing of their children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls, and their furtherance in the way to heaven. Observe the charge Abraham gave to a good servant, one whose conduct, faithfulness, and affection, to him and his family, he had long known. Observe also, that Abraham remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his birth, by the call of his grace; and therefore doubts not but He will prosper his care, not to bring his son thither again. God will cause that to end in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at his glory.
vv10-28
Abraham's servant devoutly acknowledged God. We have leave to be particular in recommending our affairs to the care of Divine providence. He proposes a sign, not that he intended to proceed no further, if not gratified in it; but it is a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master; and that was a good prayer. She should be simple, industrious, humble, cheerful, serviceable, and hospitable. Whatever may be the fashion, common sense, as well as piety, tells us, these are the proper qualifications for a wife and mother; for one who is to be a companion to her husband, the manager of domestic concerns, and trusted to form the minds of children. When the steward came to seek a wife for his master, he did not go to places of amusement and sinful pleasure, and pray that he might meet one there, but to the well of water, expecting to find one there employed aright. He prayed that God would please to make his way in this matter plain and clear before him. Our times are in God's hand; not only events themselves, but the times of them. We must take heed of being over-bold in urging what God should do, lest the event should weaken our faith, rather than strengthen it. But God owned him by making his way clear. Rebekah, in all respects, answered the characters he sought for in the woman that was to be his master's wife. When she came to the well, she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted from it but by an opportunity of doing good. She did not curiously or confidently enter into discourse with him, but answered him modestly. Being satisfied that the Lord had heard his prayer, he gave the damsel some ornaments worn in eastern countries; asking at the same time respecting her kindred. On learning that she was of his master's relations, he bowed down his head and worshipped, blessing God. His words were addressed to the Lord, but being spoken in the hearing of Rebekah, she could perceive who he was, and whence he came.
vv29-53
The making up of the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah is told very particularly. We are to notice God's providence in the common events of human life, and in them to exercise prudence and other graces. Laban went to ask Abraham's servant in, but not till he saw the ear-ring, and bracelet upon his sister's hands. We know Laban's character, by his conduct afterwards, and may think that he would not have been so free to entertain him, if he had not hoped to be well rewarded for it. The servant was intent upon his business. Though he was come off a journey, and come to a good house, he would not eat till he had told his errand. The doing our work, and the fulfilling our trusts, either for God or man, should be preferred by us before our food: it was our Saviour's meat and drink, Joh 4:34. He tells them the charge his master had given him, with the reason of it. He relates what had happened at the well, to further the proposal, plainly showing the finger of God in it. Those events which to us seem the effect of choice, contrivance, or chance, are “appointed out” of God. This hinders not, but rather encourages the use of all proper means. They freely and cheerfully close with the proposal; and any matter is likely to be comfortable, when it proceeds from the Lord. Abraham's servant thankfully acknowledges the good success he had met with. He was a humble man, and humble men are not ashamed to own their situation in life, whatever it may be. All our temporal concerns are sweet if intermixed with godliness.
Key Words
אַבְרָהָם: Abraham, the later name of Abram
זָקֵן: to be old
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
בָרַךְ: to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
עֶבֶד: a servant
זָקֵן: old
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מָשַׁל: to rule
Cross References
Genesis 24Explicit parallel of the rare solemn oath-taking ceremony of putting a hand under the thigh.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Both servants prioritize their spiritual mission and duty over physical nourishment.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct verbal parallel: 'let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them' matches God's promise.
Provides the lineage of Nahor's family, verifying Rebekah's relation to Abraham's house.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The servant watches intently to see if God answered his specific prayer for guidance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Explicit fulfillment of Abraham transferring all his inheritance to Isaac, his sole covenant heir.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Poole, Calvin
The servant repeats Abraham's reassuring promise that God would send His angel before him.
Supported by Poole, Calvin
The servant repeats his initial prayer at the well, recounting the specific test of hospitality he proposed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Illustrates 'before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came,' showing answered prayer.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Identifies the origin of the well Beer-lahai-roi from Hagar's encounter with the Lord.
Shows Isaac continued to live near the well Lahai-roi after Abraham's death.
Mosaic prohibition confirming Abraham's principle against marrying children to pagan Canaanites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Torah law forbidding marriages with Canaanites to prevent spiritual apostasy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original call out of Chaldaea, framing why Isaac must not go back there.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
New Testament commentary on patriarchs refusing to return to the country they had left.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Rebekah's lineage precisely identifies her as Bethuel's daughter, verifying the family news in chapter 22.
Supported by Poole
Laban's characteristic eager run to meet guests is repeated when he meets Jacob.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The servant confirms the initial statement of the chapter that God had blessed Abraham abundantly.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Poole, Calvin
The servant recounts his initial cautious question to Abraham about the woman refusing.
Supported by Poole, Calvin
Matches the truth that 'a prudent wife is from the Lord,' who appointed Rebekah.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The servant repeats his worshipful response upon first realizing Rebekah was of his master's kindred.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The Hebrew idiom 'deal kindly and truly' is used here and later by Jacob to Joseph.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Laban's confession 'we cannot speak bad or good' matches God's warning to him in Genesis 31:24.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of a bride-to-be immediately journeying with her damsels to meet her husband.
Parallels the custom of alighting from a riding beast to show respect to a superior.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the divine pattern of marriage that Isaac fulfills by taking Rebekah as his wife.
Identifies the 'eldest servant' of Abraham's house as likely Eliezer of Damascus.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Resolves the servant's doubt when Rebekah explicitly agrees to follow him to Canaan.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The servant's own recapitulation of Abraham's promise regarding the angel sent before him.
Supported by John Calvin
The servant's desire not to be hindered, recognizing God has indeed prospered his way.
Supported by Matthew Henry
An act of bowing and worshipping in prompt gratitude for God's revealed mercy.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates the ancient custom of washing a guest's feet, fulfilled perfectly in Christ's humility.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Refers to Sarah bearing Isaac in her old age according to God's miraculous promise.
Supported by Poole, Calvin
Isaac continues the family prohibition against marrying Canaanite women for his son Jacob.
Supported by Poole
Repeats the terms of the oath Abraham laid out regarding the woman's potential refusal to follow.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Verbal link in giving 'jewels of silver, and jewels of gold' during a departure.
Supported by Matthew Henry