Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Genesis » Chapter 24 » Verse 1-67

Genesis 24:1-67 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And Abraham H85 was old, H2204 and well stricken H935 in age: H3117 and the LORD H3068 had blessed H1288 Abraham H85 in all things.

2 And Abraham H85 said H559 unto his eldest H2205 servant H5650 of his house, H1004 that ruled over H4910 all that he had, Put, H7760 I pray thee, thy hand H3027 under my thigh: H3409

3 And I will make thee swear H7650 by the LORD, H3068 the God H430 of heaven, H8064 and the God H430 of the earth, H776 that thou shalt not take H3947 a wife H802 unto my son H1121 of the daughters H1323 of the Canaanites, H3669 among H7130 whom I dwell: H3427

4 But thou shalt go H3212 unto my country, H776 and to my kindred, H4138 and take H3947 a wife H802 unto my son H1121 Isaac. H3327

5 And the servant H5650 said H559 unto him, Peradventure the woman H802 will not be willing H14 to follow H3212 me H310 unto this land: H776 must I needs bring H7725 thy son H1121 again H7725 unto the land H776 from whence thou camest? H3318

6 And Abraham H85 said H559 unto him, Beware H8104 thou that thou bring H7725 not H6435 my son H1121 thither again. H7725

7 The LORD H3068 God H430 of heaven, H8064 which took me H3947 from my father's H1 house, H1004 and from the land H776 of my kindred, H4138 and which spake H1696 unto me, and that sware H7650 unto me, saying, H559 Unto thy seed H2233 will I give H5414 this land; H776 he shall send H7971 his angel H4397 before thee, H6440 and thou shalt take H3947 a wife H802 unto my son H1121 from thence.

8 And if the woman H802 will not be willing H14 to follow H3212 thee, H310 then thou shalt be clear H5352 from this my oath: H7621 only bring H7725 not my son H1121 thither again. H7725

9 And the servant H5650 put H7760 his hand H3027 under the thigh H3409 of Abraham H85 his master, H113 and sware H7650 to him concerning H5921 that H2088 matter. H1697

10 And the servant H5650 took H3947 ten H6235 camels H1581 of the camels H1581 of his master, H113 and departed; H3212 for all the goods H2898 of his master H113 were in his hand: H3027 and he arose, H6965 and went H3212 to Mesopotamia, H763 unto the city H5892 of Nahor. H5152

11 And he made H1288 his camels H1581 to kneel down H1288 without H2351 the city H5892 by H413 a well H875 of water H4325 at the time H6256 of the evening, H6153 even the time H6256 that women go out H3318 to draw H7579 water.

12 And he said, H559 O LORD H3068 God H430 of my master H113 Abraham, H85 I pray thee, send me H6440 good speed H7136 this day, H3117 and shew H6213 kindness H2617 unto H5973 my master H113 Abraham. H85

13 Behold, I stand H5324 here by the well H5869 of water; H4325 and the daughters H1323 of the men H582 of the city H5892 come out H3318 to draw H7579 water: H4325

14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel H5291 to whom I shall say, H559 Let down H5186 thy pitcher, H3537 I pray thee, that I may drink; H8354 and she shall say, H559 Drink, H8354 and I will give H8248 thy camels H1581 drink H8248 also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed H3198 for thy servant H5650 Isaac; H3327 and thereby shall I know H3045 that thou hast shewed H6213 kindness H2617 unto my master. H113

15 And it came to pass, before he had done H3615 speaking, H1696 that, behold, Rebekah H7259 came out, H3318 who H834 was born H3205 to Bethuel, H1328 son H1121 of Milcah, H4435 the wife H802 of Nahor, H5152 Abraham's H85 brother, H251 with her pitcher H3537 upon her shoulder. H7926

16 And the damsel H5291 was very H3966 fair H2896 to look upon, H4758 a virgin, H1330 neither had any man H376 known H3045 her: and she went down H3381 to the well, H5869 and filled H4390 her pitcher, H3537 and came up. H5927

17 And the servant H5650 ran H7323 to meet her, H7125 and said, H559 Let me, I pray thee, drink H1572 a little H4592 water H4325 of thy pitcher. H3537

18 And she said, H559 Drink, H8354 my lord: H113 and she hasted, H4116 and let down H3381 her pitcher H3537 upon her hand, H3027 and gave him drink. H8248

19 And when she had done H3615 giving him drink, H8248 she said, H559 I will draw H7579 water for thy camels H1581 also, until they have done H3615 drinking. H8354

20 And she hasted, H4116 and emptied H6168 her pitcher H3537 into the trough, H8268 and ran H7323 again unto the well H875 to draw H7579 water, and drew H7579 for all his camels. H1581

21 And the man H376 wondering H7583 at her held his peace, H2790 to wit H3045 whether the LORD H3068 had made H6743 his journey H1870 prosperous H6743 or H518 not.

22 And it came to pass, as the camels H1581 had done H3615 drinking, H8354 that the man H376 took H3947 a golden H2091 earring H5141 of half a shekel H1235 weight, H4948 and two H8147 bracelets H6781 for her hands H3027 of ten H6235 shekels weight H4948 of gold; H2091

23 And said, H559 Whose H4310 daughter H1323 art thou? H859 tell H5046 me, I pray thee: is there H3426 room H4725 in thy father's H1 house H1004 for us to lodge in? H3885

24 And she said H559 unto him, I am the daughter H1323 of Bethuel H1328 the son H1121 of Milcah, H4435 which she bare H3205 unto Nahor. H5152

25 She said H559 moreover unto him, We have both H1571 straw H8401 and provender H4554 enough, H7227 and H1571 room H4725 to lodge in. H3885

26 And the man H376 bowed down his head, H6915 and worshipped H7812 the LORD. H3068

27 And he said, H559 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 God H430 of my master H113 Abraham, H85 who hath not left destitute H5800 H5973 my master H113 of his mercy H2617 and his truth: H571 I being in the way, H1870 the LORD H3068 led me H5148 to the house H1004 of my master's H113 brethren. H251

28 And the damsel H5291 ran, H7323 and told H5046 them of her mother's H517 house H1004 these things. H1697

29 And Rebekah H7259 had a brother, H251 and his name H8034 was Laban: H3837 and Laban H3837 ran H7323 out H2351 unto the man, H376 unto the well. H5869

30 And it came to pass, when he saw H7200 the earring H5141 and bracelets H6781 upon his sister's H269 hands, H3027 and when he heard H8085 the words H1697 of Rebekah H7259 his sister, H269 saying, H559 Thus H3541 spake H1696 the man H376 unto me; that he came H935 unto the man; H376 and, behold, he stood H5975 by H5921 the camels H1581 at the well. H5869

31 And he said, H559 Come in, H935 thou blessed H1288 of the LORD; H3068 wherefore standest H5975 thou without? H2351 for I have prepared H6437 the house, H1004 and room H4725 for the camels. H1581

32 And the man H376 came H935 into the house: H1004 and he ungirded H6605 his camels, H1581 and gave H5414 straw H8401 and provender H4554 for the camels, H1581 and water H4325 to wash H7364 his feet, H7272 and the men's H582 feet H7272 that were with him.

33 And there was set H7760 H3455 meat before him H6440 to eat: H398 but he said, H559 I will not eat, H398 until I have told H1696 mine errand. H1697 And he said, H559 Speak on. H1696

34 And he said, H559 I am Abraham's H85 servant. H5650

35 And the LORD H3068 hath blessed H1288 my master H113 greatly; H3966 and he is become great: H1431 and he hath given H5414 him flocks, H6629 and herds, H1241 and silver, H3701 and gold, H2091 and menservants, H5650 and maidservants, H8198 and camels, H1581 and asses. H2543

36 And Sarah H8283 my master's H113 wife H802 bare H3205 a son H1121 to my master H113 when H310 she was old: H2209 and unto him hath he given H5414 all that he hath.

37 And my master H113 made me swear, H7650 saying, H559 Thou shalt not take H3947 a wife H802 to my son H1121 of the daughters H1323 of the Canaanites, H3669 in whose land H776 I dwell: H3427

38 But H518 thou shalt go H3212 unto my father's H1 house, H1004 and to my kindred, H4940 and take H3947 a wife H802 unto my son. H1121

39 And I said H559 unto my master, H113 Peradventure the woman H802 will not follow H3212 H310 me.

40 And he said H559 unto me, The LORD, H3068 before H6440 whom I walk, H1980 will send H7971 his angel H4397 with thee, and prosper H6743 thy way; H1870 and thou shalt take H3947 a wife H802 for my son H1121 of my kindred, H4940 and of my father's H1 house: H1004

41 Then shalt thou be clear H5352 from this my oath, H423 when thou comest H935 to my kindred; H4940 and if they give H5414 not thee one, thou shalt be clear H5355 from my oath. H423

42 And I came H935 this day H3117 unto the well, H5869 and said, H559 O LORD H3068 God H430 of my master H113 Abraham, H85 if now thou do H3426 prosper H6743 my way H1870 which I go: H1980

43 Behold, I stand H5324 by the well H5869 of water; H4325 and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin H5959 cometh forth H3318 to draw H7579 water, and I say H559 to her, Give me, H8248 I pray thee, a little H4592 water H4325 of thy pitcher H3537 to drink; H8248

44 And she say H559 to me, Both drink H8354 thou, and I will also draw H7579 for thy camels: H1581 let the same be the woman H802 whom the LORD H3068 hath appointed out H3198 for my master's H113 son. H1121

45 And before I had done H3615 speaking H1696 in mine heart, H3820 behold, Rebekah H7259 came forth H3318 with her pitcher H3537 on her shoulder; H7926 and she went down H3381 unto the well, H5869 and drew H7579 water: and I said H559 unto her, Let me drink, H8248 I pray thee.

46 And she made haste, H4116 and let down H3381 her pitcher H3537 from her shoulder, and said, H559 Drink, H8354 and I will give H8248 thy camels H1581 drink H8248 also: so I drank, H8354 and she made H8248 the camels H1581 drink H8248 also.

47 And I asked H7592 her, and said, H559 Whose daughter H1323 art thou? And she said, H559 The daughter H1323 of Bethuel, H1328 Nahor's H5152 son, H1121 whom Milcah H4435 bare H3205 unto him: and I put H7760 the earring H5141 upon her face, H639 and the bracelets H6781 upon her hands. H3027

48 And I bowed down my head, H6915 and worshipped H7812 the LORD, H3068 and blessed H1288 the LORD H3068 God H430 of my master H113 Abraham, H85 which had led me H5148 in the right H571 way H1870 to take H3947 my master's H113 brother's H251 daughter H1323 unto his son. H1121

49 And now if ye will H3426 deal H6213 kindly H2617 and truly H571 with my master, H113 tell H5046 me: and if not, tell H5046 me; that I may turn H6437 to the right hand, H3225 or H176 to the left. H8040

50 Then Laban H3837 and Bethuel H1328 answered H6030 and said, H559 The thing H1697 proceedeth H3318 from the LORD: H3068 we cannot H3201 speak H1696 unto thee bad H7451 or H176 good. H2896

51 Behold, Rebekah H7259 is before thee, H6440 take H3947 her, and go, H3212 and let her be thy master's H113 son's H1121 wife, H802 as the LORD H3068 hath spoken. H1696

52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's H85 servant H5650 heard H8085 their words, H1697 he worshipped H7812 the LORD, H3068 bowing himself to the earth. H776

53 And the servant H5650 brought forth H3318 jewels H3627 of silver, H3701 and jewels H3627 of gold, H2091 and raiment, H899 and gave H5414 them to Rebekah: H7259 he gave H5414 also to her brother H251 and to her mother H517 precious things. H4030

54 And they did eat H398 and drink, H8354 he and the men H582 that were with him, and tarried all night; H3885 and they rose up H6965 in the morning, H1242 and he said, H559 Send me away H7971 unto my master. H113

55 And her brother H251 and her mother H517 said, H559 Let the damsel H5291 abide H3427 with us a few days, H3117 at the least H176 ten; H6218 after H310 that she shall go. H3212

56 And he said H559 unto them, Hinder me H309 not, seeing the LORD H3068 hath prospered H6743 my way; H1870 send me away H7971 that I may go H3212 to my master. H113

57 And they said, H559 We will call H7121 the damsel, H5291 and enquire H7592 at her mouth. H6310

58 And they called H7121 Rebekah, H7259 and said H559 unto her, Wilt thou go H3212 with this man? H376 And she said, H559 I will go. H3212

59 And they sent away H7971 Rebekah H7259 their sister, H269 and her nurse, H3243 and Abraham's H85 servant, H5650 and his men. H582

60 And they blessed H1288 Rebekah, H7259 and said H559 unto her, Thou H859 art our sister, H269 be thou H1961 the mother of thousands H505 of millions, H7233 and let thy seed H2233 possess H3423 the gate H8179 of those which hate H8130 them.

61 And Rebekah H7259 arose, H6965 and her damsels, H5291 and they rode H7392 upon the camels, H1581 and followed H3212 H310 the man: H376 and the servant H5650 took H3947 Rebekah, H7259 and went his way. H3212

62 And Isaac H3327 came H935 from the way H935 of the well Lahairoi; H883 for he dwelt H3427 in the south H5045 country. H776

63 And Isaac H3327 went out H3318 to meditate H7742 in the field H7704 at H6437 the eventide: H6153 and he lifted up H5375 his eyes, H5869 and saw, H7200 and, behold, the camels H1581 were coming. H935

64 And Rebekah H7259 lifted up H5375 her eyes, H5869 and when she saw H7200 Isaac, H3327 she lighted H5307 off H5921 the camel. H1581

65 For she had said H559 unto the servant, H5650 What H4310 man H376 is this H1976 that walketh H1980 in the field H7704 to meet us? H7125 And the servant H5650 had said, H559 It is my master: H113 therefore she took H3947 a vail, H6809 and covered herself. H3680

66 And the servant H5650 told H5608 Isaac H3327 all things H1697 that he had done. H6213

67 And Isaac H3327 brought her H935 into his mother H517 Sarah's H8283 tent, H168 and took H3947 Rebekah, H7259 and she became his wife; H802 and he loved H157 her: and Isaac H3327 was comforted H5162 after H310 his mother's H517 death.

Commentary on Genesis 24 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 24

Ge 24:1-9. A Marriage Commission.

1. And Abraham was old … take a wife—His anxiety to see his son married was natural to his position as a pastoral chief interested in preserving the honor of his tribe, and still more as a patriarch who had regard to the divine promise of a numerous posterity.

2. said unto his eldest servant—Abraham being too old, and as the heir of the promise not being at liberty to make even a temporary visit to his native land, was obliged to intrust this delicate mission to Eliezer, whom, although putting entire confidence in him, he on this occasion bound by a solemn oath. A pastoral chief in the present day would follow the same course if he could not go himself.

3. thou shalt not take a wife, &c.—Among pastoral tribes the matrimonial arrangements are made by the parents, and a youth must marry, not among strangers, but in his own tribe—custom giving him a claim, which is seldom or never resisted, to the hand of his first cousin. But Abraham had a far higher motive—a fear lest, if his son married into a Canaanitish family, he might be gradually led away from the true God.

Ge 24:10-67. The Journey.

10. the servant took ten camels, &c.—So great an equipage was to give the embassy an appearance worthy of the rank and wealth of Abraham; to carry provisions; to bear the marriage presents, which as usual would be distributed over several beasts; besides one or two spare camels in case of emergency.

went to Mesopotamia, &c.—A stranger in those regions, who wishes to obtain information, stations himself at one of the wells in the neighborhood of a town, and he is sure to learn all the news of the place from the women who frequent them every morning and evening. Eliezer followed this course, and letting his camels rest, he waited till the evening time of water drawing.

12. And he said, O Lord God of my master—The servant appears worthy of the master he served. He resolves to follow the leading of Providence; and while he shows good sense in the tokens he fixes upon of ascertaining the temper and character of the future bride, he never doubts but that in such a case God will direct him.

15-21. before he had done speaking … behold, Rebekah came out—As he anticipated, a young woman unveiled, as in pastoral regions, appeared with her pitcher on her shoulder. Her comely appearance, her affable manners, her obliging courtesy in going down the steps to fetch water not only to him but to pour it into the trough for his camels, afforded him the most agreeable surprise. She was the very person his imagination had pictured, and he proceeded to reward her civility.

22. the man took a golden earring, &c.—The ring was not for the ear, but the nose; the armlets, such as young women in Syria and Arabia still appear daily at wells decked in. They are worn from the elbow to the wrist, commonly made of silver, copper, brass, or horn.

23-27. And said, Whose daughter art thou?—After telling her name and family, the kind-hearted damsel hastened home to give notice of a stranger's arrival.

28. and told them of her mother's house these things—the female apartments. This family was in an advanced stage of pastoral life, dwelling in a settled place and a fixed habitation.

29-31. Rebekah had a brother … Laban ran out—From what we know of his character, there is reason to believe that the sight of the dazzling presents increased both his haste and his invitation.

32-49. the man came into the house, &c.—What a beautiful picture of piety, fidelity, and disinterestedness in a servant! He declined all attention to his own comforts till he had told his name and his errand.

50. Then Laban and Bethuel answered—The brothers conduct all the marriage negotiations, their father being probably dead, and without consulting their sister. Their language seems to indicate they were worshippers of the true God.

53. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and … gold—These are the usual articles, with money, that form a woman's dowry among the pastoral tribes. Rebekah was betrothed and accompanied the servant to Canaan.

64. she lighted off the camel—If Isaac were walking, it would have been most unmannerly for her to have continued seated; an inferior, if riding, always alights in presence of a person of rank, no exception being made for women.

65. she took a veil, and covered herself—The veil is an essential part of female dress. In country places it is often thrown aside, but on the appearance of a stranger, it is drawn over the face, as to conceal all but the eyes. In a bride it was a token of her reverence and subjection to her husband.

67. And Isaac brought her into his mother's … tent—thus establishing her at once in the rights and honors of a wife before he had seen her features. Disappointments often take place, but when Isaac saw his wife, "he loved her."