Genesis 24:33

33 And they set food before him to eat, but he said, I will not eat until I have told my errand. And he said unto him, Speak on.

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.


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 he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; why dost thou stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and the place for the camels.
32 Then the man came into the house, and Laban ungirded his camels and gave straw and fodder for the camels and water to wash his feet and the men’s feet that were with him.
33 And they set food before him to eat, but he said, I will not eat until I have told my errand. And he said unto him, Speak on.
34 And he said, I am Abraham’s slave.
35 And the LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he is become great; and he has given him flocks and herds and silver and gold and menslaves and maidslaves and camels and asses.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010