Genesis 24:33

33 And bread was set forth in his sight, the which said, I shall not eat till I speak my words. He answered to the man, Speak thou. (And bread was set before the man, but he said, I shall not eat until I speak my words. And Laban said to the man, Speak thou.)

Genesis 24:33 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 24:33

And there was set [meat] before them to eat
By the order of Bethuel or Laban, or both; or, "afterwards was set" ^F12; that is after care had been taken the camels, then food being provided was set before the men to refresh them: but he said, I will not eat until I have told mine errand;
or, "spoke my words" ^F13; delivered the message he was sent with, and declared the business he came about; which shows him to be a diligent faithful servant, who had his master's interest at heart, and preferred it to his necessary food: and he said;
either Bethuel or Laban, for both were present, to whom the servant directed his discourse, ( Genesis 24:47 Genesis 24:50 ) ; perhaps Laban spoke in the name of his father, and bid him speak on;
go on with his discourse until he had said all he had to say, signifying that they were ready to give attention to him.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (Mvyyw) "post appositum", Drusius, Schmidt.
F13 (yrbd ytrbd) "donec loquar sermones meos", V. L. "vel mea verba", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator.

Genesis 24:33 In-Context

31 and said to him, Enter thou, the blessed of the Lord; why standest thou withoutforth? I have made ready the house, and a place to thy camels. (and said to him, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; why standest thou outside? I have prepared the house, and there is a place for thy camels.)

32 And he brought him into the inn, and unsaddled the camels, and gave provender, and hay, and water to wash the feet of the camels, and (the feet) of (the) men that came with him. (And he brought him into the house, and unsaddled the camels, and gave provender and hay to them, and then brought water to the man, and to the men who came with him, so that they could wash their feet.)

33 And bread was set forth in his sight, the which said, I shall not eat till I speak my words. He answered to the man, Speak thou. (And bread was set before the man, but he said, I shall not eat until I speak my words. And Laban said to the man, Speak thou.)

34 And the man said, I am the servant of Abraham,

35 and the Lord hath blessed my lord greatly, and he is made great; and God gave to him sheep, and oxen, silver, and gold, servants, and handmaids, and camels, and asses. (and the Lord hath greatly blessed my lord, and he is a great man; and God hath given him sheep, and oxen, silver, and gold, male and female slaves, and camels, and donkeys.)