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.
He riseth G1453 from G1537 supper, G1173 and G2532 laid aside G5087 his garments; G2440 and G2532 took G2983 a towel, G3012 and girded G1241 himself. G1438 After that G1534 he poureth G906 water G5204 into G1519 a bason, G3537 and G2532 began G756 to wash G3538 the disciples' G3101 feet, G4228 and G2532 to wipe G1591 them with the towel G3012 wherewith G3739 he was G2258 girded. G1241 Then G3767 cometh he G2064 to G4314 Simon G4613 Peter: G4074 and G2532 Peter G1565 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 dost G3538 thou G4771 wash G3538 my G3450 feet? G4228 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 What G3739 I G1473 do G4160 thou G4771 knowest G1492 not G3756 now; G737 but G1161 thou shalt know G1097 hereafter. G3326 G5023 Peter G4074 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Thou shalt G3538 never G1519 G165 G3364 wash G3538 my G3450 feet. G4228 Jesus G2424 answered G611 him, G846 If G3362 I wash G3538 thee G4571 not, G3362 thou hast G2192 no G3756 part G3313 with G3326 me. G1700 Simon G4613 Peter G4074 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 not G3361 my G3450 feet G4228 only, G3440 but G235 also G2532 my hands G5495 and G2532 my head. G2776 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 to him, G846 He that is washed G3068 needeth G5532 not G3756 G2192 save G2228 to wash G3538 his feet, G4228 but G235 is G2076 clean G2513 every whit: G3650 and G2532 ye G5210 are G2075 clean, G2513 but G235 not G3780 all. G3956 For G1063 he knew G1492 who G3588 should betray G3860 him; G846 therefore G5124 G1223 said he, G2036 Ye are G2075 not G3780 all G3956 clean. G2513 So G3767 after G3753 he had washed G3538 their G846 feet, G4228 and G2532 had taken G2983 his G846 garments, G2440 and was set down G377 again, G3825 he said G2036 unto them, G846 Know ye G1097 what G5101 I have done G4160 to you? G5213 Ye G5210 call G5455 me G3165 Master G1320 and G2532 Lord: G2962 and G2532 ye say G3004 well; G2573 for G1063 so I am. G1510 If G1487 I G1473 then, G3767 your Lord G2962 and G2532 Master, G1320 have washed G3538 your G5216 feet; G4228 ye G5210 also G2532 ought G3784 to wash G3538 one another's G240 feet. G4228
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Genesis 24
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."