Genesis 24:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The man gazed at her in silence, waiting to find out whether ADONAI had made his trip successful or not.

Berean Standard Bible:

Meanwhile, the man watched her silently to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success.

American Standard Version:

And the man looked stedfastly on her, holding his peace, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 24:21

Genesis 24:21 is part of the story of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son. The historical context is set in the patriarchal era, when Abraham, considered the father of the Israelites, was living in the land of Canaan.

Themes of this verse include:

1. **Divine Providence**: The servant is silently contemplating whether God (referred to as the LORD) has made his journey successful. This reflects the theme of trusting in God's guidance and provision in the lives of the faithful.

2. **Prayer and Signs**: Earlier in the chapter, the servant had prayed for a specific sign to indicate the right woman for Isaac. Now, as he observes Rebekah's actions (offering water to him and his camels), he is struck by the possibility that God is answering his prayer.

3. **Hospitality**: The servant's silence also reflects the cultural value of hospitality, which was highly esteemed in the ancient Near East. Rebekah's generous act of providing water for the stranger and his animals would have been seen as a virtue.

4. **Matchmaking and Family**: The broader narrative is concerned with the continuation of Abraham's lineage. The servant's mission is crucial for the family's future, and his success is seen as a matter of divine will.

5. **Fulfillment of Promise**: This event is part of the larger theme of God's promises to Abraham being fulfilled, including the promise of numerous descendants and a special nation through which all the families of the earth would be blessed.

In summary, Genesis 24:21 captures the moment when Abraham's servant is contemplating whether God has directed him to the right woman for Isaac, reflecting themes of divine guidance, prayer, hospitality, family continuity, and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7583
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאָה
   Transliteration: shâʼâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of whirling to giddiness); to stun, i.e. (intransitively) be astonished; wonder.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2790
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָרַשׁ
   Transliteration: chârash
   Pronunciation: khaw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness); [idiom] altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise, ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue, worker.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6743
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָלַח
   Transliteration: tsâlach
   Pronunciation: tsaw-lakh'
   Description: or צָלֵחַ; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive); break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, -ously).
   
7. Strong's Number: H1870
   There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
   Transliteration: derek
   Pronunciation: deh'-rek
   Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
   
8. Strong's Number: H518
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִם
   Transliteration: ʼim
   Pronunciation: eem
   Description: a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet.