Genesis 24:63

63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate,[a] and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.

Genesis 24:63 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
English Standard Version (ESV)
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.
New Living Translation (NLT)
63 One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming.
The Message Bible (MSG)
63 In the evening he went out into the field; while meditating he looked up and saw camels coming.
American Standard Version (ASV)
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
63 Toward evening Isaac went out into the field to meditate. When he looked up, he saw camels coming.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
63 In the early evening, Isaac went out to walk in the field, and looking up, he saw camels coming.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
63 One evening he went out to the field. He wanted to spend some time thinking. When he looked up, he saw camels approaching.

Genesis 24:63 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 24:63

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at eventide
Both the time and place were very proper for meditation: the place, "in the field": where he might view the works of nature, and be led to the Creator of them, and the praise of him, and where he might be alone, and nothing to disturb his thoughts: and the time, "at evening"; after the labour, care, and hurry of the day were over, and before repose at night, and when the air was cool and refreshing, and everything was assisting to, and served to compose the mind, and help thought and contemplation. Onkelos and Jonathan render the word "to pray", and the time and place he chose were very fit for that service; and perhaps his thoughts in prayer might be directed to, and greatly employed in desiring success to his father's servant in the business he was gone on his account, and that he might safely and speedily arrive, and if so, his prayers were quickly answered: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels [were]
coming;
which his servant had took with him in his journey, and was now returning with them, and which Isaac knew full well.

Genesis 24:63 In-Context

61 Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.
62 Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev.
63 He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.
64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel
65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2; Psalms 77:12; Psalms 119:15,27,48,97,148; Psalms 143:5; Psalms 145:5
  • 2. Genesis 18:2

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
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