Genesis 24:23

23 He asked, "Who is your father? Is there a place in his house for me and my men to spend the night?"

Genesis 24:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 24:23

And said
After he had given her the earring and the bracelets, he put the following question, according to Jarchi, and so our version seems to intimate the same; but, as it is related in ( Genesis 24:47 ) ; the question was put before those were given, therefore some render the words, "and he had said", or, "and after he had said" F6, namely, what follows; though, as Schmidt observes, the matter is easily reconciled, and both accounts stand clear and plain, if it be only remarked, that he took out the earring and bracelets before he put the question, but it was after it that he gave her them, or put them upon her: whose daughter [art] thou?
the reason of this question is, because by her answer to it he would know whether she was of the family related to Abraham or not; from whom only, according to his oath, he was to take a wife for Isaac, and which would in a good measure satisfy him as to what he had been musing about, whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not: tell me, I pray thee, is there room [in] thy father's house for us to
lodge in?
by her answer to this he would know whether her family was wealthy, and so fit to be in connection with his master's; and besides, if she appeared to be the person he hoped she was, he was desirous of lodging in her father's house, that he might have the better opportunity of managing the affair he was come about.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (rmayw) "et dixerat", Drusius; "postquam dixisset", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Genesis 24:23 In-Context

21 The servant quietly watched her. He wanted to be sure the Lord had made his trip successful.
22 After the camels had finished drinking, he gave Rebekah a gold ring weighing one-fifth of an ounce and two gold arm bracelets weighing about four ounces each.
23 He asked, "Who is your father? Is there a place in his house for me and my men to spend the night?"
24 Rebekah answered, "My father is Bethuel, the son of Milcah and Nahor."
25 Then she said, "And, yes, we have straw for your camels and a place for you to spend the night."
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.