Genesis 24

A Bride for Isaac

1 Now ¹Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had ²blessed Abraham in every way.

2 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had ³charge of all that he owned, "⁴Please place your hand under my thigh,

3 and I will make you swear by the LORD, ⁵the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you ⁶shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of ⁷the Canaanites, among whom I live,

4 but you will go to ⁸my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac."

5 The 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?"

6 Then Abraham said to him, "⁹Beware that you do not take my son back there!

7 "¹⁰The 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, '¹¹To your descendants I will give this land,' He will send ¹²His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.

8 "But if the woman is not willing to follow * you, then you will ¹³be free from this my oath; ¹⁴only do not take my son back there."

9 So the servant ¹⁵placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

10 Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of ¹⁶good things of his master's in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to ¹⁷the city of Nahor.

11 He made the camels kneel down outside * the city by ¹⁸the well of water at evening time, ¹⁹the time when women go out to draw water.

12 He said, "²⁰O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please ²¹grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.

13 "Behold, ²²I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;

14 now may it be that the girl 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 lovingkindness to my master."

Rebekah Is Chosen

15 ²³Before he had finished speaking, behold, ²⁴Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of ²⁵Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder.

16 The girl was ²⁶very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.

17 Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "²⁷Please let me drink a little water from your jar."

18 ²⁸She said, "Drink, my lord "; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink.

19 Now when she had finished giving him a drink, ²⁹she said, "I will draw also for your camels until * they have finished drinking."

20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.

21 ³⁰Meanwhile, the man was gazing at her in silence, to know whether the LORD had made his journey successful or not.

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a ³¹gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold,

23 and said, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father's house?"

24 She said to him, "³²I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."

25 Again she said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and room to lodge in."

26 Then the man ³³bowed low and worshiped the LORD.

27 He said, "³⁴Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken ³⁵His lovingkindness and His truth toward * my master; as for me, ³⁶the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers."

28 Then ³⁷the girl ran and told her mother's household about these things.

29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was ³⁸Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.

30 When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister's wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, 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.

31 And he said, "³⁹Come in, ⁴⁰blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since ⁴¹I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?"

32 So the man entered the house. Then ⁴²Laban 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.

33 But when food was set before him to eat, he said, "I will not eat until * I have told my business." And he said, "Speak on."

34 So he said, "I am ⁴³Abraham's servant.

35 "The LORD has greatly ⁴⁴blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him ⁴⁵flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys.

36 "Now ⁴⁶Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and ⁴⁷he has given him all that he has.

37 "⁴⁸My 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;

38 but you shall go to my father's house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.'

39 "⁴⁹I said to my master, 'Suppose the woman does not follow * me.'

40 "He said to me, '⁵⁰The LORD, before whom I have ⁵¹walked, will send ⁵²His 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;

41 ⁵³then 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 ⁵⁴I came today to the spring, and said, 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now You will make my journey on which I go ⁵⁵successful;

43 behold, ⁵⁶I am standing by the spring, and may it be that the maiden who comes out to draw, and to whom I say, "⁵⁷Please let me drink a little water from your jar ";

44 and she will say 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 ⁵⁸speaking in my heart, behold, ⁵⁹Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew, and ⁶⁰I said to her, 'Please let me drink.'

46 "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, '⁶¹Drink, and I will water your camels also '; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.

47 "⁶²Then 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 ⁶³ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.

48 "And I ⁶⁴bowed low and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, ⁶⁵who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son.

49 "So now if you are going to ⁶⁶deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left."

50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, "⁶⁷The matter comes from the LORD; ⁶⁸so we cannot * speak to you bad or good.

51 "Here is Rebekah before you, take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken."

52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he ⁶⁹bowed himself to the ground before the LORD.

53 The servant brought out ⁷⁰articles 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.

54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, "⁷¹Send me away to my master."

55 But her brother and her mother said, "⁷²Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go."

56 He said to them, "Do not delay me, since ⁷³the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."

57 And they said, "We will call the girl and consult her wishes."

58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go."

59 Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and ⁷⁴her nurse with Abraham's servant and his men.

60 They blessed Rebekah and said to her, "May you, our sister, ⁷⁵Become thousands of ten thousands, And may ⁷⁶your descendants possess The gate of those who hate them."

61 Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed * the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

Isaac Marries Rebekah

62 Now Isaac had come from going to ⁷⁷Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in ⁷⁸the Negev.

63 Isaac went out ⁷⁹to meditate in the field toward evening; and ⁸⁰he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming.

64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel.

65 She 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.

66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and ⁸¹he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and ⁸²he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after ⁸³his mother's death.

Genesis 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.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 18:11
• 2. Genesis 12:2; Genesis 13:2; Genesis 24:35; Galatians 3:9
• 3. Genesis 39:4-6
• 4. Genesis 24:9; Genesis 47:29
• 5. Genesis 14:19, 22
• 6. Deuteronomy 7:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17
• 7. Genesis 10:15-19; Genesis 26:34, 35; Genesis 28:1, 8
• 8. Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:15
• 9. Genesis 24:8
• 10. Genesis 24:3
• 11. Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:18; Exodus 32:13
• 12. Genesis 16:7; Genesis 21:17; Genesis 22:11; Exodus 23:20, 23
• 13. Joshua 2:17-20
• 14. Genesis 24:6
• 15. Genesis 24:2
• 16. Genesis 24:22, 53
• 17. Genesis 11:31, 32
• 18. Genesis 24:42
• 19. Exodus 2:16; 1 Samuel 9:11
• 20. Gen 24:27, 42, 48; Genesis 26:24; Exodus 3:6, 15
• 21. Genesis 27:20
• 22. Genesis 24:43
• 23. Genesis 24:45
• 24. Genesis 22:20, 23
• 25. Genesis 11:29
• 26. Genesis 12:11; Genesis 26:7; Genesis 29:17
• 27. John 4:7
• 28. Genesis 24:14, 46
• 29. Genesis 24:14
• 30. Gen 24:12-14, 27, 52
• 31. Genesis 24:47; Exodus 32:2, 3
• 32. Genesis 24:15
• 33. Genesis 24:48, 52; Exodus 4:31
• 34. Gen 24:12, 42, 48; Exodus 18:10; Ruth 4:14; 1 Samuel 25:32; 2 Samuel 18:28; Luke 1:68
• 35. Genesis 32:10; Psalms 98:3
• 36. Genesis 24:21, 48
• 37. Genesis 29:12
• 38. Genesis 29:5, 13
• 39. Genesis 29:13
• 40. Genesis 26:29; Ruth 3:10; Psalms 115:15
• 41. Genesis 18:3-5; Genesis 19:2, 3
• 42. Genesis 43:24; Judges 19:21
• 43. Genesis 24:2
• 44. Genesis 24:1
• 45. Genesis 13:2
• 46. Genesis 21:1-7
• 47. Genesis 25:5
• 48. Genesis 24:2-4
• 49. Genesis 24:5
• 50. Genesis 24:7
• 51. Genesis 5:22, 24; Genesis 17:1
• 52. Exodus 23:20
• 53. Genesis 24:8
• 54. Genesis 24:11, 12
• 55. Nehemiah 1:11
• 56. Genesis 24:13
• 57. Genesis 24:14
• 58. 1 Samuel 1:13
• 59. Genesis 24:15
• 60. Genesis 24:17
• 61. Genesis 24:18, 19
• 62. Genesis 24:23, 24
• 63. Ezekiel 16:11, 12
• 64. Genesis 24:26, 52
• 65. Genesis 24:27; Psalms 32:8; Psalms 48:14; Isaiah 48:17
• 66. Genesis 47:29; Joshua 2:14
• 67. Psalms 118:23; Mark 12:11
• 68. Genesis 31:24, 29
• 69. Genesis 24:26, 48
• 70. Genesis 24:10, 22; Exodus 3:22; Exodus 11:2; Exodus 12:35
• 71. Genesis 24:56, 59; Genesis 30:25
• 72. Judges 19:4
• 73. Genesis 24:40
• 74. Genesis 35:8
• 75. Genesis 17:16
• 76. Genesis 22:17
• 77. Genesis 16:14; Genesis 25:11
• 78. Genesis 20:1
• 79. Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2; Psalms 77:12; Psalms 119:15, 27, 48; Psalms 143:5; Psalms 145:5
• 80. Genesis 18:2
• 81. Genesis 25:20
• 82. Genesis 29:18
• 83. Genesis 23:1, 2

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "seed"
• [b]. Heb "Aram-naharaim, Aram of the two rivers"
• [c]. Lit "cause to occur for me"
• [d]. Lit "fountain of water"
• [e]. Lit "she will say"
• [f]. Lit "known"
• [g]. Lit "keeping silent"
• [h]. Lit "hands"
• [i]. Lit "hands"
• [j]. Lit "Thus the man"
• [k]. Lit "he"
• [l]. Lit "great"
• [m]. Lit "after she was old"
• [n]. Lit "dwell"
• [o]. Lit "fountain of water"
• [p]. Lit "hands"
• [q]. Lit "brother"
• [r]. Lit "show lovingkindness and truth"
• [s]. Lit "to"
• [t]. Lit "ask her mouth"
• [u]. Lit "seed"
• [v]. Lit "was dwelling"
• [w]. I.e. South country
• [x]. Or "stroll;" meaning uncertain
• [y]. Or "shawl"

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.