Bereshis 24:12

12 And he said Hashem Elohei adoni Avraham, now, send me success this yom, and show chesed unto adoni Avraham.

Bereshis 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Bereshis 24:12 In-Context

10 And the eved took asarah gemalim of the gemalei adonav, and departed; for all the goods of adonav were in his yad: and he arose, and went to Aram Naharayim, [Mesopotamia] unto the Ir Nachor.

11 And he made his gemalim to kneel down outside the Ir near a be’er hamayim at the time of erev, at the time that women go out to draw mayim.

12 And he said Hashem Elohei adoni Avraham, now, send me success this yom, and show chesed unto adoni Avraham.

13 Hinei, I stand here by the ayin hamayim; and the banot anshei haIr come out to draw mayim;

14 And let it come to pass, that the na’arah to whom I shall say, Let down thy jug, now, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy gemalim drink also; let the same be she that Thou hast appointed for Thy eved Yitzchak; and thereby shall I know that Thou hast showed chesed unto adoni.