Genesis 24:43

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

Complete Jewish Bible:

then, here I am, standing by the spring. I will say to one of the girls coming out to draw water, "Let me have a sip of water from your jug."

Berean Standard Bible:

Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’

American Standard Version:

behold, I am standing by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 24:43

Genesis 24:43 is a part of the narrative where Abraham's servant is seeking a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. The servant has been sent to Abraham's ancestral land to find a bride from among Abraham's own kindred, rather than from the Canaanites among whom Abraham was living. This verse captures the servant's prayerful anticipation at the well, where he has gone to wait for a sign from God to identify the right woman.

In the historical context of the time, wells were central gathering places for communities, especially for women who would come to draw water. The servant's specific request for water from a virgin's pitcher indicates his desire for a wife for Isaac who is not only of the right family lineage but also pure in the sense of not having been married before. This reflects the cultural importance of virginity and lineage in the ancient Near East, where familial ties and social status were significant factors in marriage alliances.

The themes present in this verse include divine guidance, as the servant is relying on God to direct him to the right woman; the importance of hospitality, as offering water to a stranger was a common act of kindness; and the providence of God in answering prayers according to His will. The servant's words also highlight the themes of faith and obedience, as he follows Abraham's instructions and trusts in God's faithfulness to fulfill the promise made to Abraham regarding his descendants.

The verse serves as a pivotal moment in the larger narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, as it sets the stage for the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, which will produce the next generation of Abraham's lineage, through whom God's promise to bless all nations will continue. This marriage will be a key step in the establishment of the nation of Israel, central to the biblical narrative.

*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: H5324
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָצַב
   Transliteration: nâtsab
   Pronunciation: naw-tsab'
   Description: a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4325
   There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַיִם
   Transliteration: mayim
   Pronunciation: mah'-yim
   Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
   
4. Strong's Number: H5959
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַלְמָה
   Transliteration: ʻalmâh
   Pronunciation: al-maw'
   Description: feminine of עֶלֶם; a lass (as veiled or private); damsel, maid, virgin.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7579
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאַב
   Transliteration: shâʼab
   Pronunciation: sahw-ab'
   Description: a primitive root; to bale up water; (woman to) draw(-er, water).
   
7. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8248
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁקָה
   Transliteration: shâqâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to; cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See שָׁכַר, שָׁתָה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4592
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְעַט
   Transliteration: mᵉʻaṭ
   Pronunciation: meh-at'
   Description: or מְעָט; from מָעַט; a little or few (often adverbial or compar.); almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3537
    There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כַּד
    Transliteration: kad
    Pronunciation: kad
    Description: from an unused root meaning to deepen; properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes; barrel, pitcher.