Genesis 24

Genesis 24 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 24:60.

Special concepts in this chapter

Intermarriage

Abraham would not allow his son to marry anyone from the people of Canaan. This is because it would cause his son to worship other gods. Intermarriage and worshiping false gods are things that frequently caused Abraham's descendants to struggle. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#falsegod)

Abraham's wealth

There are many instances recorded in this chapter which highlight Abraham's significant wealth. He owned more than 10 camels and had large amounts of gold.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

"Put your hand under my thigh"

Many scholars believe this is a euphemism. Putting one's hand on a man's genitals was a way to make an important oath. It represented power and progeny. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)

<< | >>

Genesis 24:1

Now

This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.

Genesis 24:2

Put your hand under my thigh

Abraham was about to ask the servant to swear to do something. Putting his hand under Abraham's thigh would show that he would certainly do what he would swear to do. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

Genesis 24:3

I will make you swear

This can be expressed as a command. Alternate translation: "swear" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-imperative)

swear by Yahweh

The term "swear by" means to use the name of something or someone as the basis or power on which the oath is made. "promise me with Yahweh as your witness"

the God of heaven and the God of the earth

"the God of heaven and earth." The words "heaven" and "earth" are used together to mean every thing that God created. Alternate translation: "the God of everything in heaven and earth" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-merism)

heaven

This refers to the place where God lives.

from the daughters of the Canaanites

"from the Canaanite women" or "from the Canaanites." This refers to Canaanite females.

among whom I make my home

"among whom I live." Here, "I" stands for Abraham and all of his family and servants. Alternate translation: "among whom we live" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

Genesis 24:4

But you will go

This can be stated as a command. Alternate translation: "Swear that you will go" or "But go" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-imperative)

my relatives

"my family"

Genesis 24:5

What if

"What should I do if"

will not be willing to follow me

"will not follow me" or "refuses to come back with me"

Must I take your son back to the land from which you came

"Should I take you son to live in the land from which you came"

Genesis 24:6

Make sure that you do not take my son back there

The phrase "Make sure" emphasizes the command that follows. "Be careful not to take my son back there" or "You definitely must not take my son there"

Genesis 24:7

who took me from my father's house

Here "house" stands for the people in his family. Alternate translation: "who took me from my father and the rest of my family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

promised me with a solemn oath

"swore an oath to me"

saying, 'To your descendants I will give this land,'

This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "saying that he would give this land to my descendants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)

he will send his angel

The words "he" and "his" refer to Yahweh.

Genesis 24:8

General Information:

Verse 8 is a continuation of the instructions Abraham gave his servant.

But if the woman is not willing to follow you

"But if the woman refuses to come with you." Abraham was answering the servant's question from Genesis 24:5.

you will be free from this oath of mine

"you will be released from the oath you made to me." Not having to fulfill an oath is spoken of as if the person is free from an object to which he was bound. Alternate translation: "you will not have to do what you swore to me that you would do" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

Genesis 24:9

put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master

This was to show that he would certainly do what he was swearing to do. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

swore to him

"made an oath to him"

concerning this matter

"concerning Abraham's request" or "that he would do what Abraham said"

Genesis 24:10

departed. He also took

The sentence starting with "He also took" gives additional information about what the servant took with him on the journey. He gathered them before he departed.

He also took with him all kinds of goods from his master

This means he also took many good things that his master wanted to give to the woman's family.

departed and went

"set out and went" or "he left and went"

the city of Nahor

Possible meanings are 1) the city where Nahor lived" or 2) "the city called Nahor." If you can translate it without choosing a meaning, do so. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 24:11

He made the camels kneel down

Camels are tall animals with long legs. He made them bend their legs and lower their bodies to the ground. "He made the camels lie down"

well of water

"water well" or "well"

draw water

"get water"

Genesis 24:12

Then he said

"Then the servant said"

grant me success today and show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham

You can state this with the connecting word "by." This makes clear how the servant wants God to show covenant faithfulness. Alternate translation: "Show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham by granting me success today" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-connectingwords)

grant me success

"give me success." The servant wanted to find a good wife for Abraham's son. The abstract noun "success" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "help me to succeed" or "make me able to do what I have come here to do" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham

The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as "faithful." Alternate translation: "be faithful to the covenant you have with my master Abraham" or "be faithful to my master Abraham" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

Genesis 24:13

Look, here I am standing

"You can see me standing here"

the spring of water

"the spring" or "the well"

the daughters of the men of the city

"the young women of the city"

Genesis 24:14

Let it happen like this

"Let it happen this way" or "Make this happen"

When I say to a young woman, 'Please lower your pitcher so that I may drink,'

This is a quotation within a quotation. This can be expressed with an indirect quote. Alternate translation: "When I ask a young woman to let me have a drink of water from her jar" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)

Please lower your pitcher

The women carried the pitchers on their shoulder. She would have to lower it to give the man a drink.

pitcher

a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids

that you have shown covenant faithfulness to my master

The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be stated as "been faithful." Alternate translation: "that you have been faithful to the covenant you have with my master Abraham" or "you have been faithful to my master Abraham" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

Genesis 24:15

It came about that

This phrase is used here to mark where the action starts. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

behold

The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.

pitcher

This is a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids. See how you translated this in Genesis 24:14.

Rebekah was born to Bethuel son of Milkah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother

"Rebekah's father was Bethuel. Bethuel's parents were Milkah and Nahor. Nahor was Abraham's brother"

Bethuel

Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Nahor

This is the name of a man. See how you translated his name in Genesis 11:22. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Milkah

Milkah was Nahor's wife and Bethuel's mother. See how you translated this name in Genesis 11:29. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 24:16

No man had ever known her

This is a polite way of saying that the she had not had sexual relations with any man. You may need to use another euphemism in your language. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)

She went down to the spring ... and came up

The spring was somewhere lower in elevation than where the servant was standing.

Genesis 24:17

to meet her

"to meet the young woman"

a little drink of water

"a little water"

pitcher

This is a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids. See how you translated this in Genesis 24:14.

Genesis 24:18

my master

"sir." Here the woman uses this term of respect to refer to the man, though she is not his slave.

she quickly let down her pitcher on her hand

"she quickly lowered her pitcher." She was carrying the pitcher on her shoulder. She had to lower it to get water for the servant.

Genesis 24:19

I will draw water

"I will get water"

Genesis 24:20

So she hurried and emptied her pitcher

"So she quickly emptied her pitcher"

the trough

"the animals' water trough." A trough is a long open container for holding water for animals to drink.

Genesis 24:21

The man

"The servant"

watched her

"watched Rebekah" or "watched the young woman"

to see

Learning something is often spoken of as if it were seeing. Alternate translation: "to know" or "to determine" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

had prospered his journey

"had fulfilled the purpose of his journey" or "had made his journey successful." You can make explicit what specifically the servant was trying to determine. Alternate translation: "was showing him the woman who would become Isaac's wife" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

or not

You can state clearly the understood information. Alternate translation: "or not prospered his journey" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)

Genesis 24:22

a gold nose ring weighing half a shekel

"a gold nose ring that weighed six grams." The weight indicates the value of the ring. Alternate translation: "an expensive gold nose ring" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-bweight)

two gold bracelets for her arms weighing ten shekels

"two gold bracelets for her arms that weighed 110 grams." The weight shows their size and value. Alternate translation: "two large gold bracelets for her arms" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-bweight)

Genesis 24:23

Whose daughter are you

"Who is your father"

is there room in your father's house

"is there a place in your father's house"

for us

Apparently other men went on this journey with Abraham's servant. Here "us" refers to the servant and those traveling with him, but not to those to whom he was speaking. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

to spend the night

"to stay tonight" or "to stay for the night"

Genesis 24:24

She said

"Rebekah said" or "the young woman said"

to him

"to the servant"

I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, whom she bore to Nahor

"Bethuel is my father, and his parents are Milkah and Nahor"

Genesis 24:25

We have plenty of both straw and feed

It is understood that the straw and feed are for the camels. You can make clear this understood information. Alternate translation: "We have plenty of straw and feed for the camels" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

for you to spend the night

"for you to stay tonight" or "where you can stay for the night"

for you

Here "you" refers to the servant and those traveling with him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)

Genesis 24:26

the man

"the servant"

bowed down

This is a sign of humility before God. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

Genesis 24:27

has not abandoned his covenant faithfulness and his trustworthiness toward my master

"has not stopped showing his covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness to my master." The abstract nouns "faithfulness" and "trustworthiness" can be stated as "to be faithful and trustworthy." Alternate translation: "has not stopped being faithful to his covenant and trustworthy toward my master" or "has not stopped being faithful and trustworthy to my master" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

has not abandoned

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "continues to show" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-litotes)

my master's relatives

"my master's family" or "my master's clan"

Genesis 24:28

ran and told her mother's household

Here "household" stands for all the people living in her mother's house. Alternate translation: "ran to the house and told her mother and everyone there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

all of these things

"everything that had just happened"

Genesis 24:29

Now

This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author tells background information about Rebekah. The author introduces her brother, Laban, to the story. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-participants)

Genesis 24:30

When he had seen the nose ring ... and when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister

These things happened before he ran out to the man. This tells why Laban ran out to the man. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-events)

when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "This is what the man said to me,"

This can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "when he had heard his sister Rebekah tell what the man had said to her" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)

behold, he

The word "behold" here adds emphasis to what follows. "it was just as she had said: he"

Genesis 24:31

Come, you

"Come in, you" or "Enter, you"

you blessed of Yahweh

"you whom Yahweh has blessed"

you

Here the word "you" refers to Abraham's servant. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)

Why are you standing outside?

Laban used this question to invite Abraham's servant into his house. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "You do not need to stay outside." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)

Genesis 24:32

So the man came to the house

The word "came" can be translated as "went." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-go)

he unloaded the camels

It is not clear who did this work. This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Laban's servants unloaded the camels" or "the camels were unloaded" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

The camels were given straw and feed, and water was provided

This does not say who did the work. If you state this in active form use "Laban's servants" as the subject. Alternate translation: "Laban's servants gave straw and feed to the camels, and they provided water" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

to wash his feet ... him

"for Abraham's servant and the men who were with him to wash their feet"

Genesis 24:33

They set

Here, the word "they" refers to Laban's family members or to the household servants.

set food before him

"gave food to the servant"

said what I have to say

"spoken my words" or "told you why I am here"

Genesis 24:34

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Genesis 24:35

he has become great

Here the word "he" refers to Abraham.

become great

"become very wealthy"

He has given

The word "he" refers to Yahweh.

Genesis 24:36

General Information:

Abraham's servant continues speaking to Rebekah's family.

bore a son to my master

"gave birth to a son"

he has given ... to him

"my master has given ... to his son"

Genesis 24:37

My master made me swear, saying

"My master made me swear that I would do what he told me to do. He said"

from the daughters of the Canaanites

This refers to Canaanite females. Alternate translation: "from the Canaanite women" or "from the Canaanites"

in whose land I make my home

"among whom I live." Here, "I" stands for Abraham and all of his family and servants. Alternate translation: "among whom we live" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

Genesis 24:38

to my relatives

"to my own clan"

Genesis 24:39

General Information:

Abraham's servant continues speaking to Rebekah's family.

Perhaps the woman will not follow me.

This is something that could possibly happen. The servant wanted to know what he should do if that happened. Alternate translation: "What if the woman will not come back with me?" or "What should I do if the woman will not come back with me?"

Genesis 24:40

before whom I walk

Serving Yahweh is spoken of as if Abraham were walking in Yahweh's presence. Alternate translation: "whom I serve" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

he will prosper your way

"he will make your journey successful"

family line

"family"

Genesis 24:41

you will be free from my oath

"you will be released from the oath you made to me." Not having to fulfill an oath is spoken of as if the person is free from an object to which he was bound. Alternate translation: "you will not have to do what you swore to me that you would do" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

if you come to my relatives

Languages use the words come and go differently. Alternate translation: "if you arrive at my relatives' home" or "if you go to my relatives" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-go)

Genesis 24:42

General Information:

Abraham's servant continues speaking to Rebekah's family.

the spring

"the well"

Genesis 24:43

let the young woman who comes ... the woman to whom I say

The servant goes back to stating his request. These are the first two things he has to say about the woman whom he hopes will come.

to draw water

"to get water"

pitcher

This is a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids. See how you translated this in Genesis 24:14.

Genesis 24:44

the woman who says to me, "Drink ... camels"

The thought that begins with the words "let the young woman who comes" in verse 43 ends here. This is the third of the three things the servant has to say about the woman whom he hopes will come.

let her be the woman

The servant finishes his request.

Genesis 24:45

General Information:

Abraham's servant continues speaking to Rebekah's family.

speaking in my heart

To pray silently in one's mind is spoken of as if he were speaking in his heart. The word "heart" refers to his thoughts and his mind. Alternate translation: "praying" or "praying quietly" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

behold, Rebekah came

"suddenly Rebekah came" or "I was surprised because I saw Rebekah coming"

pitcher

This is a medium-size jar made of clay used for holding and pouring liquids. See how you translated this in Genesis 24:14.

she went down to the spring

The phrase "went down" is used because the spring was somewhere lower than where the servant was standing.

spring

opening in the ground from which fresh water comes

Genesis 24:46

watered the camels

"gave water to the camels"

Genesis 24:47

General Information:

Abraham's servant continues speaking to Rebekah's family.

The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milkah bore to him

"My father is Bethuel. His parents are Nahor and Milkah"

ring ... bracelets

In this story, all of these items were made of gold. See how you translated these in Genesis 24:22.

Genesis 24:48

I bowed down

This is a sign of humility before God. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

led me by the way that is right

"brought me here"

who had led me

The connecting word "because" can be used to show this is why the servant worshiped God. Alternate translation: "because Yahweh led me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-connectingwords)

my master's relative

This refers to Bethuel, the son of Abraham's brother Nahor.

Genesis 24:49

General Information:

Abraham's servant continues speaking to Rebekah's family.

Now therefore

"Now." Here "Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

if you are prepared to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me

The abstract nouns "love" and "faithfulness" can be stated with the verb "love" and the adjective "faithful." Also, you could state explicitly how they could show the "steadfast love and faithfulness." Alternate translation: "tell me if you will love my master and be faithful to him by giving Rebekah to be his son's wife" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

you

The word "you" refers to Laban and Bethuel. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)

But if not

The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "But if you are not prepared to treat my master with steadfast love and faithfulness" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)

so that I may turn to the right hand or to the left

Possible meanings are 1) deciding what to do is spoken of as if the person will physically turn one direction or another. Alternate translation: "so that I will know what do" or 2) the servant wants to know if he needs to travel somewhere else. Alternate translation: "so that I may continue on my journey" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

Genesis 24:50

Bethuel

This was the father of Laban and Rebekah.

The thing has come from Yahweh

"Yahweh has caused all of this to happen"

we cannot speak to you either bad or good

They are saying they do not have the authority to decide whether what God has done is good or bad. Alternate translation: "we dare not judge what Yahweh is doing" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

Genesis 24:51

Look, Rebekah is

"You can see Rebekah here"

Rebekah is before you

"Here is Rebekah"

Genesis 24:52

their words

"what Laban and Bethuel said"

he bowed down

Bowing down before God is an expression of worship to him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

Genesis 24:53

articles of silver and articles of gold

"silver and gold items" or "things made of silver and gold"

precious gifts

"expensive gifts" or "valuable gifts"

Genesis 24:54

he and the men who were with him

"Abraham's servant and his men"

stayed there overnight

"slept there that night"

arose in the morning

"got up the next morning"

Send me away

"Let me leave and return"

Genesis 24:55

a few more days, at least ten

"at least ten more days"

After that

"Then"

Genesis 24:56

he said

"Abraham's servant said"

to them

"to Rebekah's brother and mother"

Do not hinder me

"Do not delay me" or "Do not make me wait"

Yahweh has prospered my way

Here "way" stands for a journey. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has caused me to succeed in the purpose my journey" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

Send me on my way

"Allow me to leave"

Genesis 24:57

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Genesis 24:58

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Genesis 24:59

So they sent their sister Rebekah

"So the family sent Rebekah"

their sister

Rebekah was Laban's sister. Alternate translation: "their relative" or "Laban's sister"

her female servant

This refers to the female servant who had fed Rebekah when she was a baby, cared for her when she was a child, and still served her.

Genesis 24:60

Our sister

Rebekah was not the sister to everyone in her family. But they called her this to show that they loved her. Alternate translation: "Our dear Rebekah"

may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands

Here "mother" stands for ancestor. Alternate translation: "may you be the ancestor of millions of people" or "may you have very many descendants"

thousands of ten thousands

This means a very large number or an uncountable number. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)

may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them

Armies would break through the gate of their enemies' cities and conquer the people. Alternate translation: "may your descendants completely defeat those who hate them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

Genesis 24:61

Then Rebekah arose, and she and her servant girls mounted the camels

"Then Rebekah and her servant girls went and got on the camels"

Thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way

"In this way Abraham's servant took Rebekah with him and returned to where he had come from"

Genesis 24:62

Now

This word marks a change in the story. It was telling about the servant finding a wife, and now it will tell about Isaac.

Beer Lahai Roi

This is the name of a water well in the Negev. See how you translated it in Genesis 16:14.

Genesis 24:63

Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening

"One evening Isaac went out to the field to think." This must have been a long time after the servant and Rebekah left her home since they had to travel a long distance.

When he looked up and saw, behold, there were camels coming!

The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. "When he looked up he was surprised to see camels coming"

Genesis 24:64

Rebekah looked

"Rebekah looked up"

she jumped down from the camel

"she quickly got off the camel"

Genesis 24:65

So she took her veil, and covered herself

"So she covered her face with her veil." This is a sign of respect and modesty towards the man she will marry. The full meaning of this can be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

veil

a piece of cloth used to cover a person's head, shoulders and face

Genesis 24:66

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Genesis 24:67

took Rebekah, and she became his wife

Both of these phrases mean that Isaac married Rebekah. Alternate translation: "married Rebekah" or "took her as his wife" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-doublet)

So Isaac was comforted

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "So Rebekah comforted Isaac" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)