Genesis 24:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from your obligation under my oath. Just don't bring my son back there."

Berean Standard Bible:

And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”

American Standard Version:

And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only thou shalt not bring my son thither again.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}.

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Commentary for Genesis 24:8

Genesis 24:8 is part of the narrative concerning the marriage of Isaac, the son of Abraham. In this verse, Abraham is instructing his servant regarding the task of finding a wife for Isaac from among his own relatives, rather than from the Canaanites among whom they were living. The historical context is the patriarchal age, where family alliances were crucial for social and economic stability, and marriages were often arranged by the family.

In the verse, Abraham emphasizes the voluntary nature of the prospective bride's consent to marry Isaac and return with the servant. He states that if the woman is not willing to follow the servant back to Canaan, the servant will be released from his oath to find Isaac a wife from Abraham's kin. This reflects the importance of personal choice in marriage, even within a cultural framework that emphasizes familial arrangements. It also underscores the gravity of the oath and the trust Abraham places in his servant, as well as his commitment to ensuring that Isaac's wife joins their family and heritage willingly.

The themes present in this verse include the significance of oaths and promises in the ancient world, the balance between individual choice and familial duty, and the beginnings of a narrative thread that emphasizes the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical story. It also highlights the faith of Abraham, as he trusts in God's provision and guidance in such a significant family matter, while also respecting the free will of the individuals involved. This moment sets the stage for the continuation of the covenantal line that God had promised 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: H802
   There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִשָּׁה
   Transliteration: ʼishshâh
   Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
   Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
   
2. Strong's Number: H14
   There are 1894 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָבָה
   Transliteration: ʼâbâh
   Pronunciation: aw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent; consent, rest content will, be willing.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
4. Strong's Number: H310
   There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחַר
   Transliteration: ʼachar
   Pronunciation: akh-ar'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5352
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָקָה
   Transliteration: nâqâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e. extirpated; acquit [idiom] at all, [idiom] altogether, be blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, [idiom] by no means, be quit, be (leave) unpunished, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] wholly.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7621
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁבוּעָה
   Transliteration: shᵉbûwʻâh
   Pronunciation: sheb-oo-aw'
   Description: feminine passive participle of שָׁבַע; properly, something sworn, i.e. an oath; curse, oath, [idiom] sworn.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.