Genesis 24:8

8 But if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from your obligation under my oath. Just don't bring my son back there."

Genesis 24:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 24:8

And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee
Or "but" if F13, which is said by Abraham, not as doubting she would be willing, of which he was satisfied, being persuaded that that God that had made him willing to leave his own country, and his father's house, would make her willing to do the like, and come and settle with his son in the land that God had given him; but this, and what follows, he said to make the mind of his servant easy, who had some doubt about it, or however was desirous of knowing how he must act should that be the case; and what it was he was to take an oath to do, and how far, and how far not, that would oblige him: then thou shalt be clear from this my oath;
which he enjoined his servant to take; the sense is, when he had done all he could to get the consent of the damsel, and her friends, to go with him and marry his master's son; and after all she could not be prevailed upon to come with him, then he was free from his oath, having done all that that obliged him to, and he not attempting to take one from any other quarter: only bring not my son thither again;
neither agree with the damsel and her parents, that he shall come to them, nor persuade him to comply with such terms.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (Maw) "sin autem", V. L.

Genesis 24:8 In-Context

6 Avraham said to him, "See to it that you don't bring my son back there.
7 ADONAI, the God of heaven - who took me away from my father's house and away from the land I was born in, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'- he will send his angel ahead of you; and you are to bring a wife for my son from there.
8 But if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from your obligation under my oath. Just don't bring my son back there."
9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Avraham his master and swore to him concerning the matter.
10 Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and all kinds of gifts from his master, got up and went to Aram-Naharayim, to Nachor's city.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.