Chuàngshìjì 24

1 Yàbólāhǎn niánjì lǎomaì , xiàng lái zaì yīqiè shì shàng Yēhéhuá dōu cì fú gĕi tā .

2 Yàbólāhǎn duì guǎnlǐ tā quán yè zuì lǎo de púrén shuō , qǐng nǐ bǎ shǒu fàng zaì wǒ dàtuǐ dǐ xià .

3 Wǒ yào jiào nǐ zhǐ zhe Yēhéhuá tiāndì de zhǔ qǐshì , búyào wéi wǒ érzi qǔ zhè Jiānán dì zhōng de nǚzi wéi qì .

4 Nǐ yào wàng wǒ bĕn dì bĕn zú qù , wèi wǒde érzi Yǐsā qǔ yī gè qīzi .

5 Púrén duì tā shuō , tǎngruò nǚzi bú kĕn gēn wǒ dào zhè dìfang lái , wǒ bìxū jiāng nǐde érzi daì huí nǐ yuán chū zhī dì ma .

6 Yàbólāhǎn duì tā shuō , nǐ yào jǐnshèn , búyào daì wǒde érzi huí nàli qù .

7 Yēhéhuá tiān shàng de zhǔ céng daìlǐng wǒ líkāi fǔ jiā hé bĕn zú de dì , duì wǒ shuōhuà , xiàng wǒ qǐshì shuō , wǒ yào jiāng zhè dì cìgĕi nǐde hòuyì . tā bì chāiqiǎn shǐzhĕ zaì nǐ miànqián , nǐ jiù kĕyǐ cóng nàli wèi wǒ érzi qǔ yī gè qīzi .

8 Tǎngruò nǚzi bú kĕn gēn nǐ lái , wǒ shǐ nǐ qǐ de shì jiù yǔ nǐ wúgān le , zhǐshì bùkĕ daì wǒde érzi huí nàli qù .

9 Púrén jiù bǎ shǒu fàng zaì tā zhǔrén Yàbólāhǎn de dàtuǐ dǐ xià , wéi zhè shì xiàng tā qǐshì .

10 Nà púrén cóng tā zhǔrén de luòtuo lǐ qǔ le shí pǐ luòtuo , bìng daì xiē tā zhǔrén gèyàng de cáiwù , qǐshēn wàng Mĕisuǒbùdámǐyà qù , dào le Náhè de chéng .

11 Tiān jiāng wǎn , zhòng nǚzi chūlai dǎ shuǐ de shíhou , tā biàn jiào luòtuo guì zaì chéng waì de shuǐjǐng nàli .

12 Tā shuō , Yēhéhuá wǒ zhǔrén Yàbólāhǎn de shén a , qiú nǐ shī ēn gĕi wǒ zhǔrén Yàbólāhǎn , shǐ wǒ jīnrì yùjiàn hǎo jīhuì .

13 Wǒ xiànjīn zhàn zaì jǐng páng , chéng neì jūmín de nǚzi men zhèng chūlai dǎ shuǐ .

14 Wǒ xiàng nǎ yī gè nǚzi shuō , qǐng nǐ ná xià shuǐ píng lái , gĕi wǒ shuǐ hē , tā ruò shuō , qǐng hē , wǒ yĕ gĕi nǐde luòtuo hē , yuàn nà nǚzi jiù zuò nǐ suǒ yùdéng gĕi nǐ púrén Yǐsā de qī . zhèyàng , wǒ biàn zhīdào nǐ shī ēn gĕi wǒ zhǔrén le .

15 Huà hái méiyǒu shuō wán , búliào , Lìbǎijiā jiān tóu shàng káng zhe shuǐ píng chūlai . Lìbǎijiā shì Bǐtǔlì suǒ shēng de . Bǐtǔlì shì Yàbólāhǎn xiōngdi Náhè qīzi Mìjiā de érzi .

16 Nà nǚzi róngmào jíqí jùnmĕi , háishì chǔnǚ , yĕ wèicéng yǒu rén qīnjìn tā . tā xià dào jǐng páng , dǎ mǎn le píng , yòu shàng lái .

17 Púrén pǎo shàng qián qù yíng zhe tā , shuō , qiú nǐ jiāng píng lǐ de shuǐ gĕi wǒ yídiǎn hē .

18 Nǚzi shuō , wǒ zhǔ qǐng hē , jiù jímáng ná xià píng lái , tuō zaì shǒu shàng gĕi tā hē .

19 Nǚzi gĕi tā hē le , jiù shuō , wǒ zaì wéi nǐde luòtuo dǎ shuǐ , jiào luòtuo yĕ hē zú .

20 Tā jiù jímáng bǎ píng lǐ de shuǐ dǎo zaì caó lǐ , yòu pǎo dào jǐng páng dǎ shuǐ , jiù wéi suǒyǒude luòtuo dǎ shàng shuǐ lái .

21 Nà rén déngjīng kàn tā , yī jù huà yĕ bú shuō , yào xiǎodé Yēhéhuá cì tā tōngdá de dàolù méiyǒu .

22 Luòtuo hè zú le , nà rén jiù ná yī gè jīn huán , zhòng bàn Shĕkèlè , liǎng gè jīn zhuó , zhòng shí Shĕkèlè , gĕi le nà nǚzi ,

23 Shuō , qǐng gàosu wǒ , nǐ shì shuí de nǚér , nǐ fùqin jiā lǐ yǒu wǒmen zhù sù de dìfang méiyǒu .

24 Nǚzi shuō , wǒ shì Mìjiā yǔ Náhè zhī zǐ Bǐtǔlì de nǚér .

25 Yòu shuō , wǒmen jiā lǐ zú yǒu liáng cǎo , yĕ yǒu zhù sù de dìfang .

26 Nà rén jiù dī tóu xiàng Yēhéhuá xià baì ,

27 Shuō , Yēhéhuá wǒ zhǔrén Yàbólāhǎn de shén shì yīngdāng chēngsòng de , yīn tā bú duàn dì yǐ cíaì chéngshí daì wǒ zhǔrén . zhìyú wǒ , Yēhéhuá zaì lù shàng yǐnlǐng wǒ , zhí zǒu dào wǒ zhǔrén de xiōngdi jiā lǐ .

28 Nǚzi pǎo huí qù , zhào zhe zhèxie huà gàosu tā mǔqin hé tā jiā lǐ de rén .

29 Lìbǎijiā yǒu yī gè gēge , míng jiào Lābān , kànjian jīn huán , yòu kànjian jīn zhuó zaì tā meìzi de shǒu shàng , bìng tīngjian tā meìzi Lìbǎijiā de huà , shuō nà rén duì wǒ rúcǐ rúcǐ shuō . Lābān jiù pǎo chūlai wàng jǐng páng qù , dào nà rén gēnqián , jiàn tā réng zhàn zaì luòtuo pángbiān de jǐng páng nàli .

30

31 Biàn duì tā shuō , nǐ zhè mĕng Yēhéhuá cì fú de , qǐng jìnlái , wèishénme zhàn zaì waìbiān , wǒ yǐjing shōushi le fángwū , yĕ wèi luòtuo yùbeì le dìfang .

32 Nà rén jiù jìn le Lābān de jiā . Lābān xiè le luòtuo , yòng cǎoliào wèi shàng , ná shuǐ gĕi nà rén hé gēnsuí de rén xǐ jiǎo ,

33 Bǎ fàn bǎi zaì tā miànqián , jiào tā chī , tā què shuō , wǒ bú chī , dĕng wǒ shuō míngbai wǒde shìqing zaì chī . Lābān shuō , qǐng shuō .

34 Tā shuō , wǒ shì Yàbólāhǎn de púrén .

35 Yēhéhuá dàdà dì cì fú gĕi wǒ zhǔrén , shǐ tā chāng dà , yòu cìgĕi tā yáng qún , niú qún , jīn yín , pú bì , luòtuo , hé lü .

36 Wǒ zhǔrén de qīzi Sǎlā nián lǎo de shíhou gĕi wǒ zhǔrén shēng le yī gè érzi . wǒ zhǔrén yĕ jiāng yīqiè suǒyǒude dōu gĕi le zhège érzi .

37 Wǒ zhǔrén jiào wǒ qǐshì shuō , nǐ búyào wèi wǒ érzi qǔ Jiānán dì de nǚzi wéi qì .

38 Nǐ yào wàng wǒ fǔ jiā , wǒ bĕn zú nàli qù , wèi wǒde érzi qǔ yī gè qīzi .

39 Wǒ duì wǒ zhǔrén shuō , kǒngpà nǚzi bú kĕn gēn wǒ lái .

40 Tā jiù shuō , wǒ suǒ shìfèng de Yēhéhuá bìyào chāiqiǎn tāde shǐzhĕ yǔ nǐ tóng qù , jiào nǐde dàolù tōngdá , nǐ jiù déyǐ zaì wǒ fù jiā , wǒ bĕn zú nàli , gĕi wǒde érzi qǔ yī gè qīzi .

41 Zhǐyào nǐ dào le wǒ bĕn zú nàli , wǒ shǐ nǐ qǐ de shì jiù yǔ nǐ wúgān . tāmen ruò bú bǎ nǚzi jiāo gĕi nǐ , wǒ shǐ nǐ qǐ de shì yĕ yǔ nǐ wúgān .

42 Wǒ jīnrì dào le jǐng páng , biàn shuō , Yēhéhuá wǒ zhǔrén Yàbólāhǎn de shén a , yuàn nǐ jiào wǒ suǒ xíng de dàolù tōngdá .

43 Wǒ rújīn zhàn zaì jǐng páng , duì nǎ yī gè chūlai dǎ shuǐ de nǚzi shuō , qǐng nǐ bǎ nǐ píng lǐ de shuǐ gĕi wǒ yídiǎn hē .

44 Tā ruò shuō , nǐ zhǐguǎn hē , wǒ yĕ wèi nǐde luòtuo dǎ shuǐ . yuàn nà nǚzi jiù zuò Yēhéhuá gĕi wǒ zhǔrén érzi suǒ yùdéng de qì .

45 Wǒ xīnli de huà huán méiyǒu shuō wán , Lìbǎijiā jiù chūlai , jiān tóu shàng káng zhe shuǐ píng , xià dào jǐng páng dǎ shuǐ . wǒ biàn duì tā shuō , qǐng nǐ gĕi wǒ shuǐ hē .

46 Tā jiù jímáng cóng jiān tóu shàng ná xià píng lái , shuō , qǐng hē , wǒ yĕ jǐ nǐde luòtuo hē . wǒ biàn hē le . tā yòu gĕi wǒde luòtuo hē le .

47 Wǒ wèn tā shuō , nǐ shì shuí de nǚér , tā shuō , wǒ shì Mìjiā yǔ Náhè zhī zǐ Bǐtǔlì de nǚér . wǒ jiù bǎ huánzi daì zaì tā bízi shàng , bǎ zhuózi daì zaì tā liǎng shǒu shàng .

48 Suíhòu wǒ dī tóu xiàng Yēhéhuá xià baì , chēngsòng Yēhéhuá wǒ zhǔrén Yàbólāhǎn de shén . yīnwei tā yǐndǎo wǒ zǒu hé shì de dàolù , shǐ wǒ de zhe wǒ zhǔrén xiōngdi de sūnnǚ , gĕi wǒ zhǔrén de érzi wéi qi .

49 Xiànzaì nǐmen ruò yuàn yǐ cíaì chéngshí daì wǒ zhǔrén , jiù gàosu wǒ . ruò bú rán , yĕ gàosu wǒ , shǐ wǒ kĕyǐ huò xiàng zuǒ , huò xiàng yòu .

50 Lābān hé Bǐtǔlì huídá shuō , zhè shì nǎi chūyú Yēhéhuá , wǒmen bùnéng xiàng nǐ shuō hǎo shuō dǎi .

51 Kàn nǎ , Lìbǎijiā zaì nǐ miànqián , kĕyǐ jiāng tā daì qù , zhào zhe Yēhéhuá suǒ shuō de , gĕi nǐ zhǔrén de érzi wéi qì .

52 Yàbólāhǎn de púrén tīngjian tāmen zhè huà , jiù xiàng Yēhéhuá fǔfú zaì dì .

53 Dāngxià púrén ná chū jīnqì , yínqì , hé yīfu sòng gĕi Lìbǎijiā , yòu jiāng bǎowù sòng gĕi tā gēge hé tā mǔqin .

54 Púrén hé gēn cóng tāde rén chī le hē le , zhù le yī yè . zǎochen qǐlai , púrén jiù shuō , qǐng dǎfa wǒ huí wǒ zhǔrén nàli qù ba .

55 Lìbǎijiā de gēge hé tā mǔqin shuō , ràng nǚzi tóng wǒmen zaì zhù jǐ tiān , zhì shào shí tiān , ránhòu tā kĕyǐ qù .

56 Púrén shuō , Yēhéhuá jì cìgĕi wǒ tōngdá de dàolù , nǐmen búyào dānwu wǒ , qǐng dǎfa wǒ zǒu , huí wǒ zhǔrén nàli qù ba .

57 Tāmen shuō , wǒmen bǎ nǚzi jiào lái wèn wèn tā .

58 Jiù jiào le Lìbǎijiā lái , wèn tā shuō , nǐ hé zhè rén tóng qù ma . Lìbǎijiā shuō , wǒ qù .

59 Yúshì tāmen dǎfa meìzi Lìbǎijiā hé tāde rǔmǔ , tóng Yàbólāhǎn de púrén , bìng gēn cóng púrén de , dōu zǒu le .

60 Tāmen jiù gĕi Lìbǎijiā zhùfú shuō , wǒmen de meìzi a , yuàn nǐ zuò qiāwàn rén de mǔ . yuàn nǐde hòuyì de zhe chóudí de chéng mén .

61 Lìbǎijiā hé tāde shǐnǚ men qǐlai , qí shàng luòtuo , gēn zhe nà púrén , púrén jiù daì zhe Lìbǎijiā zǒu le .

62 Nàshí , Yǐsā zhù zaì nán dì , gāng cóng Bìĕrlāhǎilái huí lái .

63 Tiān jiāng wǎn , Yǐsā chūlai zaì tiánjiān mòxiǎng , jǔmù yī kàn , jiàn lái le xiē luòtuo .

64 Lìbǎijiā jǔmù kànjian Yǐsā , jiù jí qiā xià le luòtuo ,

65 Wèn nà púrén shuō , zhè tiánjiān zǒu lái yíngjiē wǒmen de shì shuí . púrén shuō , shì wǒde zhǔrén . Lìbǎijiā jiù ná pàzi mĕng shàng liǎn .

66 Púrén jiù jiāng suǒ bàn de yīqiè shì dōu gàosu Yǐsā .

67 Yǐsā biàn lǐng Lìbǎijiā jìn le tā mǔqin Sǎlā de zhàngpéng , qǔ le tā wéi qì , bìngqiĕ aì tā . Yǐsā zì cōng tā mǔqin bú zaì le , zhè cái de le ānwèi .

Chuàngshìjì 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

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)

Verses 1-9 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.

Verses 10-28 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.

Verses 29-53 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, ( John 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.

Verses 54-67 Abraham's servant, as one that chose his work before his pleasure, was for hastening home. Lingering and loitering no way become a wise and good man who is faithful to his duty. As children ought not to marry without their parents' consent, so parents ought not to marry them without their own. Rebekah consented, not only to go, but to go at once. The goodness of Rebekah's character shows there was nothing wrong in her answer, though it be not agreeable to modern customs among us. We may hope that she had such an idea of the religion and godliness in the family she was to go to, as made her willing to forget her own people and her father's house. Her friends dismiss her with suitable attendants, and with hearty good wishes. They blessed Rebekah. When our relations are entering into a new condition, we ought by prayer to commend them to the blessing and grace of God. Isaac was well employed when he met Rebekah. He went out to take the advantage of a silent evening, and a solitary place, for meditation and prayer; those divine exercises by which we converse with God and our own hearts. Holy souls love retirement; it will do us good to be often alone, if rightly employed; and we are never less alone than when alone. Observe what an affectionate son Isaac was: it was about three years since his mother died, and yet he was not, till now, comforted. See also what an affectionate husband he was to his wife. Dutiful sons promise fair to be affectionate husbands; he that fills up his first station in life with honour, is likely to do the same in those that follow.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 24

This chapter shows Abraham's concern to get a suitable wife for his son Isaac, for which purpose he commits the affair into the hands of his eldest servant, and makes him swear that he will not take one from among the Canaanites, but out of his own country, and from among his own kindred, Ge 24:1-4; which his servant agreed to, after having the nature of his charge, and of the oath, explained to him, Ge 24:5-9; upon which he departed to Mesopotamia, and coming to the city of Nahor, and to a well near it, he prayed for success, and desired direction by a token, which was granted him, Ge 24:10-22; and inquiring of the damsel, who answered to the token, whose daughter she was, and whether they had room for him and his in their house; and an agreeable answer being returned, he gave thanks to God that had directed him, and had so far made his journey prosperous, Ge 24:23-27; the damsel acquainting her parents whom and what she met with at the well, a brother of her steps out, and invites the servant in, and makes him welcome, Ge 24:28-33; but before he would eat anything, he tells his errand he was come upon, at the instance of his master; how, he had prayed for direction, and was heard, and for which he had given thanks, Ge 24:34-48; and then treats with the relations of the damsel about her marriage to his master's son, to which they agreed, Ge 24:49-51; and after having blessed God, and given his presents he brought with him to the damsel, and her family, and ate and drank with them, was for departing the next morning, Ge 24:52-54; but the friends of the damsel being desirous of her stay with them some few days, and he urgent to be gone, the affair was referred to her, and she agreed to go with him directly, Ge 24:55-58; upon which they dismissed her with their blessing, Ge 24:59,60; who being met by Isaac in the way, was received and introduced into his mother's tent, and married by him, Ge 24:61-67.