Genesis 24:65

65 and said to the servant, Who is that man that walks in the plain to meet us? And the servant said, This is my master; and she took her veil and covered herself.

Genesis 24:65 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 24:65

For she [had] said unto the servant
As soon as she saw a man walking towards them, who she thought with herself might be Isaac: what man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?
for by the course he steered, she perceived that he was coming towards them, and so concluded it must be one of the family, and probably the person she was to be married to; for otherwise, had he not by his look and motion discovered that he knew the servant, and was coming towards them, she would have took no notice of him and the servant [had] said, it is my master:
meaning not Abraham, but his son, who also was his master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself;
both out of modesty, and as a token of subjection to him: for the veil was put on when the bride was introduced to the bridegroom, as among the Romans ^F24 in later times. The Arab women always have veils when they appear in public, so that their faces cannot be seen; and though in the summer months they walk abroad with less caution, yet then, upon the approach of a stranger, they put on their veils ^F25.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Vid. Lucan. l. 2. & Martial. Epigr. l. 2. 74.
F25 See Shaw's Travels, p. 228. Tertullian. de Virgin. Veland, c. 17.

Genesis 24:65 In-Context

63 And Isaac went forth into the plain toward evening to meditate; and having lifted up his eyes, he saw camels coming.

64 And Rebecca lifted up her eyes, and saw Isaac; and she alighted briskly from the camel,

65 and said to the servant, Who is that man that walks in the plain to meet us? And the servant said, This is my master; and she took her veil and covered herself.

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

67 And Isaac went into the house of his mother, and took Rebecca, and she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted for Sarrha his mother.