Genesis 24

1 Forsooth Abraham was eld, and of many days, and the Lord had blessed him in all things.

2 And he said to the elder servant of his house, that was sovereign on all things that he had, Put thou thine hand under mine hip, (And he said to the oldest servant of his household, who was the ruler over all the things that he had, Put thy hand under my hip,)

3 that I conjure thee by the Lord God of heaven and of earth, that thou take not a wife to my son of the daughters of Canaan, among which I dwell; (and I want thee to swear by the Lord God of heaven and earth, that thou shalt not get a wife for my son from the daughters of Canaan, among whom I live;)

4 but that thou go to my land and kindred, and thereof take a wife to my son Isaac. (but that thou shalt go to my land and family, and get a wife from there for my son Isaac.)

5 The servant answered, If the woman will not come with me into this land, whether I ought to lead again thy son to the place, from which thou wentest out? (And the servant answered, If the woman will not come back with me to this land, should I lead thy son back to the place from which thou wentest out?)

6 Abraham said, Beware, lest any time thou lead again thither my son; (And Abraham said, Nay! Beware, lest any time thou lead my son back there;)

7 the Lord God of heaven that took me from the house of my father, and from the land of my birth, which spake to me, and swore (to me), and said, I shall give this land to thy seed, (yea,) he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take from thence a wife to my son (and thou shalt get a wife from there for my son);

8 forsooth if the woman will not follow thee, thou shalt not be holden by the oath; nevertheless lead not again my son thither (but do not lead my son back there).

9 Therefore the servant putted his hand under the hip of Abraham, his lord, and swore to him on this word (and swore to him on this matter).

10 And he took ten camels of the flock of his lord, and went forth, and bare with him of all the goods of his lord (And then he took ten camels from his lord's herd, and went forth, and took with him many good things from his lord); and he went forth, and came to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.

11 And when he had made the camels to rest without the city (And when he had made the camels to rest outside the city), beside a well of water, in the eventide, in that time in which women be wont to go out to draw water,

12 he said, Lord God of my lord Abraham, I beseech, meet with me today, and do mercy with my lord Abraham (and do mercy to my lord Abraham).

13 Lo! I stand nigh the well of water, and the daughters of the dwellers of this city shall go out to draw water; (Lo! I stand near to the water well, and the daughters of the inhabitants of this city shall go out to draw water;)

14 therefore the damsel to which I shall say, Bow down thy water pot (so) that I (may) drink, and (she) shall answer, Drink thou, but also I shall give drink to thy camels, that it is which thou hast made ready to thy servant Isaac (she it is whom thou hast prepared for thy servant Isaac); and by this I shall understand that thou hast done mercy to my lord Abraham.

15 And he had not yet [ful-]filled the words within himself, and lo! Rebecca, the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham, went out, having a water pot in her shoulder (having a water pot on her shoulder);

16 a damsel full comely/full shapely, and fairest virgin, and unknown of man. Soothly she came down to the well, and filled the water pot, and turned again. (a very shapely young woman, and the most beautiful virgin, yea, unknown by man. And she went down to the well, and filled the water pot, and then came up again.)

17 And the servant met her, and said, Give thou to me a little of the water of thy pot to drink (Give thou to me a little water to drink from thy water pot).

18 Which answered, Drink thou, my lord. And anon she did down the water pot on her shoulder, and gave drink to him (And at once she did down the water pot from off her shoulder, and gave him a drink).

19 And when he had drunk, she said, But also I shall draw water to thy camels, till all have drunk. (And when he had drunk, she said, I shall also draw some water for thy camels, until all of them have had something to drink as well.)

20 And she poured out the water pot in(to) (the) troughs, and ran (down) again to the well, to draw (some more) water, and she gave (the) water drawn to all the camels (and so she gave water to all the camels).

21 Soothly he beheld her privily, and would wit whether the Lord had sped his way, or nay. (And he secretly watched her, and wanted to know if the Lord had sped his way, or not.)

22 Therefore after that the camels had drunk, the man brought forth golden earrings, weighing two shekels, and as many bands of the arm (and two arm bands), in the weight of ten shekels.

23 And he said to her, Whose daughter art thou? show thou to me (and tell me), is [there] any place in the house of thy father (for us) to dwell in?

24 Which answered, I am the daughter of Bethuel, (the) son of Nahor, whom Milcah childed to him.

25 And she added, saying, Also full much of provender and of hay is at us (And we have much provender and hay), and a large place to dwell in.

26 (And) The man bowed himself (down), and worshipped the Lord,

27 and said, Blessed be the Lord God of my lord Abraham, which took not away his mercy and truth from my lord, and led me by the right way, into the house of the brother of my lord. (and said, Blessed be the Lord God of my lord Abraham, who took not away his mercy and truth from my lord, but led me by the right way to the house of my lord's brother.)

28 And so the damsel ran, and told in the house of her mother all (the) things which she had heard.

29 Soothly Rebecca had a brother, Laban by name, which went out hastily to the man, where he was withoutforth.

30 And when he had seen the earrings, and bands of the arm in the hands of his sister, and had heard all the words of her, telling, The man spake to me these things, he came to the man that stood beside the camels, and nigh the well of water, (For when he had seen the earrings, and the bands on his sister's wrists, and had heard all of her words, saying, The man spoke these and these things to me, he went out hastily to the man who was standing beside the camels, and near the water well,)

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.)

36 And Sarah, my lord's wife, childed a son to my lord in his eld (age), and Abraham, my lord, hath given all things that he had to that son. (And Sarah, my lord's wife, bare a son for my lord in her old age, and Abraham, my lord, hath given all the things that he hath to his son.)

37 And my lord charged me greatly, and said, Thou shalt not take to my son a wife of the daughters of Canaan, in whose land I dwell, (And my lord greatly charged me, and said, Thou shalt not get a wife for my son from among the daughters of Canaan, in whose land I live,)

38 but thou shalt go to the house of my father, and of my kindred thou shalt take a wife to my son. (but thou shalt go to my father's house, and thou shalt get a wife from my family for my son.)

39 Forsooth I answered to my lord, What if the woman will not come with me?

40 (And) He said, The Lord, in whose sight I go, shall send his angel with thee, and shall direct thy way; and thou shalt take a wife to my son of my kindred, and of my father's house (and thou shalt get a wife for my son from my family, yea, from my father's house).

41 Thou shalt be innocent from my curse, when thou comest to my kinsmen, and they give not her to thee. (But thou shalt be released from this oath, if, when thou comest to my family, they will not give her to thee.)

42 Therefore I came today to the well of water, and (I) said, Lord God of my lord Abraham, if thou hast directed my way in which I go now,

43 lo! I stand beside the well of water, and the maid[en] that shall go out to draw water, (who) heareth me (say to her), Give thou to me a little of water to drink (out) of thy pot, (lo! now I stand beside the water well, and the young woman who shall go out to draw water, and when I say to her, Give thou to me a little water to drink from thy water pot,)

44 and she say to me, And thou drink, and I shall draw water to thy camels, that is the woman which the Lord hath made ready to the son of my lord. (and she say to me, Drink thou, and I shall also draw some water for thy camels, that is the woman whom the Lord hath prepared for my lord's son.)

45 While I turned in thought these things with(in) me, Rebecca appeared, coming with a pot which she bare in her shoulder; and she went down to the well, and drew water. And I said to her, Give thou a little to me to drink; (And while I turned these things about in thought within me, Rebecca appeared, coming with a pot which she carried on her shoulder; and she went down to the well, and drew some water. And I said to her, Give thou to me a little water to drink;)

46 and she hasted, and did down the pot (from) off the shoulder, and said to me, And thou drink, and I shall give drink to thy camels (and said to me, Drink, and I shall also give drink to thy camels); (and so) I drank, and she watered the camels.

47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? Which answered, I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor, whom Milcah childed to him. And so I hanged earrings to adorn her face, and I put bands of the arm in her hands (and I put bands on her wrists),

48 and low-like I worshipped the Lord, and I blessed the Lord God of my lord Abraham, which God led me by the right way, that I should take the daughter of the brother of my lord to his son. (and I bowed low before the Lord, and I blessed the Lord God of my lord Abraham, which God led me by the right way, so that I should find the daughter of the brother of my lord for his son.)

49 Wherefore if ye do mercy and truth with my lord (So if ye shall do mercy and truth to my lord), show ye to me; else if (an)other thing pleaseth (thee), also say ye this, (so) that I (know to) go to the right side, or to the left side.

50 Laban and Bethuel answered, The word is gone out of the Lord; we may not speak any other thing with thee without his pleasance. (And Laban and Bethuel answered, This thing is from the Lord; we shall not say anything to thee other than what pleaseth him.)

51 Lo! Rebecca is before thee; take thou her, and go forth, and be she [the] wife of the son of thy lord, as the Lord spake.

52 And when the servant of Abraham had heard this, he felled down, and worshipped the Lord in (the) earth. (And when Abraham's servant had heard this, he fell down, and worshipped the Lord on the ground.)

53 And when vessels of silver, and of gold, and clothes were brought forth, he gave those to Rebecca for (a) gift, and he (also) gave gifts to her brethren, and (to her) mother.

54 And when a feast was made, they ate and drank together, and dwelled there. Forsooth the servant rose (up) early, and said, Deliver ye me, (so) that I (may) go (now) to my lord.

55 Her brethren and mother answered, The damsel dwell namely ten days at us, and afterward she shall go forth. (And her brothers and her mother answered, Let the young woman stay with us ten more days, and then she shall go with thee.)

56 (But) The servant said, Do not ye hold me, for the Lord hath directed my way; deliver ye me, (so) that I (may) go (now) to my lord.

57 And they said, Call we the damsel, and ask we her will.

58 And when she was called, and came, they asked her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I shall go.

59 Therefore they delivered her, and her nurse, and the servant of Abraham, and his fellows, (And so they let her go, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his fellows,)

60 and wished prosperities to their sister (and wished their sister well), and said, Thou art our sister, increase thou into a thousand thousands, and thy seed wield the gates of his enemies.

61 Therefore Rebecca and her damsels ascended on the camels, and followed the man, which turned again hastily to his lord.

62 In that time Isaac walked by the way that leadeth to the well, whose name is of him that liveth and seeth; for he dwelled in the south land. (Now at that time Isaac walked by the way that leadeth to The Well of Lahairoi, or Beerlahairoi; for he lived then in the south land.)

63 And he went out to think in the field, for the day was bowed [down] then; and when he had raised [up] his eyes, he saw camels coming (from) afar.

64 And when Isaac was seen, Rebecca lighted down off the camel,

65 and said to the servant, Who is that man that cometh by the field into the meeting of us? And the servant said to her, It is my lord. And she took soon a mantle, and covered her (And she quickly took a mantle, and covered herself).

66 Forsooth the servant told to his lord Isaac all (the) things which he had done;

67 Isaac led her into the tabernacle of Sarah, his mother, and took her to wife; and so much he loved her, that he assuaged the sorrow which befell to him of the death of his mother. (and Isaac led her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and took her as his wife; and he loved her so much, that he assuaged the sorrow which befell to him upon his 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.

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.