Genesis 24:30-40

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, "1Come in, 2blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since 3I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?"
32 So the man entered the house. Then 4Laban 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 5Abraham's servant.
35 "The LORD has greatly 6blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him 7flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys.
36 "Now 8Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and 9he has given him all that he has.
37 "10My 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 "11I said to my master, 'Suppose the woman does not follow * me.'
40 "He said to me, '12The LORD, before whom I have 13walked, will send 14His 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;

Genesis 24:30-40 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References 14

  • 1. Genesis 29:13
  • 2. Genesis 26:29; Ruth 3:10; Psalms 115:15
  • 3. Genesis 18:3-5; Genesis 19:2, 3
  • 4. Genesis 43:24; Judges 19:21
  • 5. Genesis 24:2
  • 6. Genesis 24:1
  • 7. Genesis 13:2
  • 8. Genesis 21:1-7
  • 9. Genesis 25:5
  • 10. Genesis 24:2-4
  • 11. Genesis 24:5
  • 12. Genesis 24:7
  • 13. Genesis 5:22, 24; Genesis 17:1
  • 14. Exodus 23:20

Footnotes 6

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.