Genesis 24

Isaac marries Rebekah

1 As the days went by and Abraham became older, the LORD blessed Abraham in every way.

2 Abraham said to the oldest servant of his household, who was in charge of everything he owned, "Put your hand under my thigh.

3 By the LORD, God of heaven and earth, give me your word that you won't choose a wife for my son from the Canaanite women among whom I live.

4 Go to my land and my family and find a wife for my son Isaac there."

5 The servant said to him, "What if the woman doesn't agree to come back with me to this land? Shouldn't I take your son back to the land you left?"

6 Abraham said to him, "Be sure you don't take my son back there.

7 The LORD, God of heaven—who took me from my father's household and from my family's land, who spoke with me and who gave me his word, saying, ‘I will give this land to your descendants'—he will send his messenger in front of you, and you will find a wife for my son there.

8 If the woman won't agree to come back with you, you will be free from this obligation to me. Only don't take my son back there."

9 So the servant put his hand under his master Abraham's thigh and gave him his word about this mission.

10 The servant took ten of his master's camels and all of his master's best provisions, set out, and traveled to Nahor's city in Aram-naharaim.

11 He had the camels kneel down outside the city at the well in the evening, when women come out to draw water.

12 He said, "LORD, God of my master Abraham, make something good happen for me today and be loyal to my master Abraham.

13 I will stand here by the spring while the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.

14 When I say to a young woman, ‘Hand me your water jar so I can drink,' and she says to me, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels water too,' may she be the one you've selected for your servant Isaac. In this way I will know that you've been loyal to my master."

15 Even before he finished speaking, Rebekah—daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother—was coming out with a water jar on her shoulder.

16 The young woman was very beautiful, old enough to be married, and hadn't known a man intimately. She went down to the spring, filled her water jar, and came back up.

17 The servant ran to meet her and said, "Give me a little sip of water from your jar."

18 She said, "Drink, sir." Then she quickly lowered the water jar with her hands and gave him some water to drink.

19 When she finished giving him a drink, she said, "I'll draw some water for your camels too, till they've had enough to drink."

20 She emptied her water jar quickly into the watering trough, ran to the well again to draw water, and drew water for all of the camels.

21 The man stood gazing at her, wondering silently if the LORD had made his trip successful or not.

22 As soon as the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold ring, weighing a half shekel, and two gold bracelets for her arms, weighing ten shekels.

23 He said, "Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"

24 She responded, "I'm the daughter of Bethuel, who is the son of Milcah and Nahor."

25 She continued, "We have plenty of straw and feed for the camels, and a place to spend the night."

26 The man bowed down and praised the LORD:

27 "Bless the LORD, God of my master Abraham, who hasn't given up his loyalty and his faithfulness to my master. The LORD has shown me the way to the household of my master's brother."

28 The young woman ran and told her mother's household everything that had happened.

29 Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and Laban ran to the man outside by the spring.

30 When he had seen the ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and when he had heard his sister Rebekah say, "This is what the man said to me," he went to the man, who was still standing by the spring with his camels.

31 Laban said, "Come in, favored one of the LORD! Why are you standing outside? I've prepared the house and a place for the camels."

32 So the man entered the house. Then Laban unbridled the camels, provided straw and feed for them and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men with him,

33 and set out a meal for him. But the man said, "I won't eat until I've said something." Laban replied, "Say it."

34 The man said, "I am Abraham's servant."

35 The LORD has richly blessed my master, has made him a great man, and has given him flocks, cattle, silver, gold, men servants, women servants, camels, and donkeys.

36 My master's wife Sarah gave birth to a son for my master in her old age, and he's given him everything he owns.

37 My master made me give him my word: ‘Don't choose a wife for my son from the Canaanite women, in whose land I'm living.

38 No, instead, go to my father's household and to my relatives and choose a wife for my son.'

39 I said to my master, ‘What if the woman won't come back with me?'

40 He said to me, ‘The LORD, whom I've traveled with everywhere, will send his messenger with you and make your trip successful; and you will choose a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father's household.

41 If you go to my relatives, you will be free from your obligation to me. Even if they provide no one for you, you will be free from your obligation to me.'

42 "Today I arrived at the spring, and I said, ‘LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you wish to make the trip I'm taking successful,

43 when I'm standing by the spring and the young woman who comes out to draw water and to whom I say, 'Please give me a little drink of water from your jar,'

44 and she responds to me, 'Drink, and I will draw water for your camels too,' may she be the woman the LORD has selected for my master's son.'

45 Before I finished saying this to myself, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder and went down to the spring to draw water. And I said to her, ‘Please give me something to drink.'

46 She immediately lowered her water jar and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels something to drink too.' So I drank and she also gave water to the camels.

47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?' And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son whom Milcah bore him.' I put a ring in her nose and bracelets on her arms.

48 I bowed and worshipped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me in the right direction to choose the granddaughter of my master's brother for his son.

49 Now if you're loyal and faithful to my master, tell me. If not, tell me so I will know where I stand either way."

50 Laban and Bethuel both responded, "This is all the LORD's doing. We have nothing to say about it.

51 Here is Rebekah, right in front of you. Take her and go. She will be the wife of your master's son, just as the LORD said."

52 When Abraham's servant heard what they said, he bowed low before the LORD.

53 The servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. To her brother and to her mother he gave the finest gifts.

54 He and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they got up in the morning, the servant said, "See me off to my master."

55 Her brother and mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us not more than ten days, and after that she may go."

56 But he said to them, "Don't delay me. The LORD has made my trip successful. See me off so that I can go to my master."

57 They said, "Summon the young woman, and let's ask her opinion."

58 They called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" She said, "I will go."

59 So they sent off their sister Rebekah, her nurse, Abraham's servant, and his men.

60 And they blessed Rebekah, saying to her, "May you, our sister, become thousands of ten thousand; may your children possess their enemies' cities."

61 Rebekah and her young women got up, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

62 Now Isaac had come from the region of Beer-lahai-roi and had settled in the arid southern plain.

63 One evening, Isaac went out to inspect the pasture, and while staring he saw camels approaching.

64 Rebekah stared at Isaac. She got down from the camel

65 and said to the servant, "Who is this man walking through the pasture to meet us?" The servant said, "He's my master." So she took her headscarf and covered herself.

66 The servant told Isaac everything that had happened.

67 Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah's tent. He received Rebekah as his wife and loved her. So Isaac found comfort after 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb beqa
• [b]. Heb uncertain; LXX through the desert of
• [c]. Heb uncertain; possibly to walk around in the pasture or to meditate in the pasture

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.