Genesis 24

Isaac and Rebekah

1 Now Abraham [was] old, {advanced in age}, and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in everything.

2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his house, who had charge of all he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh

3 that I may make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose midst I am dwelling,

4 but that you will go to my land and to my family, and take a wife for my son, for Isaac."

5 And the servant said to him, "Perhaps the woman will not be willing {to follow} me to this land--must I then return your son to the land from whence you came?"

6 Abraham said to him, "{You must take care} that you do not return my son there.

7 Yahweh, the God of heaven who took me from the house of my father and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, 'to your offspring I will give this land,' he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

8 And if the woman is not willing {to follow} you, then you shall be released from this oath of mine--only you must not return my son there."

9 Then the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and he swore to him concerning this matter.

10 And the servant took ten camels from his master's camels, and he went with all [kinds of] his master's good things in his hand. And he arose and went to Aram-Naharaim, to the city of Nahor.

11 And he made the camels kneel outside the city at the well of water, at the time of evening, toward the time [the women] went out to draw water.

12 And he said, "O Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show loyal love to my master Abraham.

13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are going out to draw water.

14 And let it be [that] the girl to whom I shall say, 'Please, offer your jar that I may drink' and [who] says, 'Drink--and I will also water your camels,' she [is the one] you have chosen for your servant, for Isaac. By her I will know that you have shown loyal love to my master."

15 And it happened [that] before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah--who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, the brother of Abraham--came out, and her jar [was] on her shoulder.

16 Now the girl [was] very pleasing in appearance. [She was] a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up.

17 And the servant ran to meet her. And he said, "Please, let me drink a little of the water from your jar."

18 And she said, "Drink, my lord." And she quickly lowered her jar in her hand and gave him a drink.

19 When she finished giving him a drink she said, "I will also draw water for your camels until they finish drinking."

20 And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water. And she drew water for all his camels.

21 And the man [was] gazing at her silently to know [if] Yahweh had made his journey successful or not.

22 And it happened [that] as the camels finished drinking the man took a gold ring of a half shekel in weight and two bracelets for her arms, ten shekels in weight,

23 and said, "Please tell me, whose daughter [are] you? Is there a place [at] the house of your father for us to spend the night?"

24 And she said to him, "I [am] the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."

25 Then she said to him, "We have both straw and fodder in abundance, as well as a place to spend the night."

26 And the man knelt down and worshiped Yahweh.

27 And he said, "Blessed [be] Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld his loyal love and his faithfulness from my master. I [was] on the way [and] Yahweh led me [to] the house of my master's brother."

28 Then the girl ran and reported these things to the household of her mother.

29 Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban. And Laban ran out to the man toward the spring.

30 And when he saw the ring and the bracelets on the arms of his sister and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, [who] said, "Thus the man spoke to me," he went to the man. And behold, [he was] standing with the camels at the spring.

31 And he said, "Come, O blessed [one] of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? Now I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."

32 And the man came to the house and unloaded the camels. And he gave straw and fodder to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who [were] with him.

33 {And food was placed before him} to eat. And he said, "I will not eat until {I have told my errand}." And he said, "Speak."

34 And he said, "I [am] the servant of Abraham.

35 Now Yahweh has blessed my master exceedingly, and he has become great. He has given to him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male slaves and female slaves, and camels and donkeys.

36 And Sarah, the wife of my master, has borne a son to my master after her old age. And he has given to him all that he has.

37 And my master made me swear, saying, 'Do not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I am living.

38 But you shall go to the house of my father, and to my family, and you shall take a wife for my son.'

39 And I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not {follow} me.'

40 And he said to me, 'Yahweh, before whom I have walked, shall send his angel with you and will make your journey successful. And you shall take a wife for my son from my family, and from the house of my father.

41 Then you shall be released from my oath, when you come to my family. And if they will not give [a woman] to you, then you will be released from my oath.'

42 Then today I came to the spring, and I said, 'O Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, {if you would please make my journey successful}, upon which I am going.

43 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let it be [that] the young woman who comes out to draw water and to whom I say, "Please give me a little water to drink from your jar,"

44 let her say to me, "Drink; I will also draw water for your camels," she [is] the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for the son of my master.'

45 I had not yet finished speaking to myself when, behold, Rebekah [was] coming out with her jar on her shoulder. And she went down to the spring and drew water. And I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'

46 And she hastened and let down her jar {from her shoulder} and said, 'Drink, and I will give a drink to your camels also.' Then I drank and she gave a drink to the camels also.

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

48 And I knelt down and worshiped Yahweh, and I praised Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right way, to take the daughter of the brother of my master for his son.

49 So now, {if you are going to deal loyally and truly} with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, so that I may turn to [the] right or to [the] left."

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, and they said, "The matter has gone out from Yahweh; we are not able to speak bad or good to you.

51 Here [is] Rebekah before you. Take [her] and go; let her be a wife for the son of your master as Yahweh has spoken."

52 And it happened [that] when the servant of Abraham heard their words he bowed down to the ground to Yahweh.

53 And the servant brought out silver jewelry and gold jewelry, and garments, and he gave [them] to Rebekah. And he gave precious gifts to her brother and to her mother.

54 And he and the men who [were] with him ate and drank, and they spent the night. And they got up in the morning, and he said, "Let me go to my master."

55 And her brother and her mother said, "Let the girl remain with us ten days [or so]; after [that] she may go."

56 And he said to them, "Do not delay me. Now, Yahweh has made my journey successful. Let me go. I must go to my master."

57 And they said, "Let us call the girl and ask {her opinion}."

58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, "Will you go with this man?" And she said, "I will go."

59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and the servant of Abraham and his men.

60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "You [are] our sister; may you become countless thousands; and may your offspring take possession of the gate of his enemies."

61 And Rebekah and her maidservants arose, and they mounted the camels and {followed} the man. And the servant took Rebekah and left.

62 Now Isaac [was] coming from the direction of Beer-Lahai-Roi. And he [was] living in the land of the Negev.

63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field {early in the evening}, and he lifted up his eyes and saw--behold, camels were coming.

64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes and saw Isaac. And she got down from the camel.

65 And she said to the servant, "Who [is] this man walking around in the field to meet us?" And the servant said, "That [is] my master." And she took her veil and covered herself.

66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.

67 And Isaac brought her to the tent of Sarah his mother. And he took Rebekah, and she became his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after [the death of] his mother.

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]. Literally "going in the days"
• [b]. Literally "to go after"
• [c]. Literally "let it be careful to you"
• [d]. Literally "to go after"
• [e]. Or "And"
• [f]. Or "abandoned"
• [g]. Literally "And it was placed before him"
• [h]. Literally "I have spoken my word"
• [i]. That is, Abraham
• [j]. Literally "go after"
• [k]. Literally "if there is you making successful my journey"
• [l]. Or "to my heart"
• [m]. Or "and"
• [n]. Literally "from upon her"
• [o]. Literally "if there is you doing loyal love and faithfulness"
• [p]. An idiom for "so that I might know what to do"
• [q]. Literally "her mouth"
• [r]. Literally "went after"
• [s]. Literally "at the turning of evening"
• [t]. Or "the"

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.