Genesis 24:12

12 Then he said, "O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

Genesis 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 24:12

And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham
He does not call the Lord his God, though no doubt he was, since he appears throughout the whole to be a good man; but the God of Abraham, because God had often manifested and renewed his covenant with Abraham in an eminent manner, and had bestowed many favours upon him, and admitted him to much nearness and communion with him; and it was not on his own account, but on his master's business he now was: I pray thee, send me good speed this day;
or "cause [something] to happen before me this day" F21; some extraordinary event, which depends not upon the will, or skill, or contrivance of men, but upon the pleasure of God; and which, with respect to second causes, men call hap or chance, but with respect to God, is according to his determinate counsel and will. The Targum of Jonathan is,

``prepare now a decent wife before me this day.''
But the servant's meaning is, that something might turn up in providence that would lead on to such an event: and shew kindness unto my master Abraham;
which he would be ready to acknowledge as a favour, an instance of kindness and mercy, and not merit.
FOOTNOTES:

F21 (ynpl an hrqh) "occurere fae nune coram me", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so Junius & Tremellius, Schmidt, Ainsworth.

Genesis 24:12 In-Context

10 Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, for all his master's goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.
12 Then he said, "O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, 'Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink'--let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master."
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.