Genesis24

Abraham, being old, sends his chief servant to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac, strictly forbidding a Canaanite spouse. The servant, praying for divine guidance at a well, encounters Rebekah, who fulfills his specific sign. After her family's consent, Rebekah willingly departs with the servant, meets Isaac, and becomes his wife, bringing him comfort.

Abraham Seeks a Wife for Isaac

1
Abraham was old, and well stricken in age. The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. ​
2
Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh. ​
3
I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live. ​
4
But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5
The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”
6
Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.
7
The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your seed.’ He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. ​
8
If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”
9
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

The Servant's Journey and Prayer

10
The servant took ten camels, of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. ​
11
He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. ​
12
He said, “The LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. ​
13
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14
Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ and she will say, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” ​
15
Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. ​
16
The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin, neither had any man known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.
17
The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
18
She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him drink.
19
When she had done giving him drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have done drinking.”
20
She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
21
The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. ​
22
As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, ​
23
and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge in?”
24
She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
25
She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.”
26
The man bowed his head, and worshiped the LORD. ​
27
He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
28
The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.

The Servant States His Mission

29
Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. ​
30
When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31
He said, “Come in, you blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”
32
The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33
Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” He said, “Speak on.” ​
34
He said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
35
The LORD has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36
Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
37
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
38
but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’
39
I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’
40
He said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son of my relatives, and of my father’s house.
41
Then will you be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’
42
I came this day to the spring, and said, ‘The LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—
43
behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
44
and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’
45
Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46
She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink.
47
I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
48
I bowed my head, and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son.
49
Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”
50
Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from the LORD. We can’t speak to you bad or good. ​
51
Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.”
52
When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to the LORD.
53
The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.

Rebekah Consents to the Marriage

54
They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.” ​
55
Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
56
He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
57
They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
58
They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” ​
59
They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.
60
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them.” ​
61
Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Isaac and Rebekah Meet

62
Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. ​
63
Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming. ​
64
Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.
65
She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself. ​
66
The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67
Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 24

Verse 1

Abraham’s age and prosperity set the stage for the crucial task of securing the covenant line. The blessing 'in all things' implies divine favor regarding succession.

Verse 2

Placing the hand 'under my thigh' was a solemn, ancient gesture related to the generative organs, emphasizing that the oath concerned the future seed and the covenant inheritance.

Verse 3

The prohibition against a Canaanite wife was vital. Intermarriage would compromise the theological purity of Abraham's descendants and lead to assimilation into idolatrous practices.

Verse 7

Abraham grounds his command in God's covenant promise (Gen 12:1) and expresses perfect confidence that God will actively send 'his angel' (a messenger of Providence) to guide the mission.

Verse 10

Mesopotamia (Aram-Naharaim) designates the region of northwestern Mesopotamia, where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled, thus ensuring the potential bride would be from their kindred.

Verse 11

The evening hour was the customary time when women would gather at the well, a vital social and economic center, making it the logical place for the servant to wait.

Verse 12

This prayer is a model of seeking specific divine guidance. The servant asks for a clear, verifiable sign (a 'fleece') that would confirm God’s choice and show 'kindness' (covenant loyalty) to Abraham.

Verse 14

The sign requested is demanding: not only serving the man but also his ten camels, which could drink hundreds of gallons. This test reveals exceptional diligence, energy, and hospitality.

Verse 15

The immediate appearance of Rebekah, a great-niece of Abraham, demonstrates the sovereign speed and precision of God’s answer to the servant's prayer.

Verse 21

The servant waits silently, observing the fulfillment of the sign. This displays prudence and caution, recognizing that the outcome must be attributed securely to divine providence, not chance.

Verse 22

The servant gives valuable gifts (a nose ring/earring and bracelets) as bridal tokens, signifying his serious intent and the wealth of his master, before confirmation of her lineage.

Verse 26

The immediate response of the servant is worship. Throughout the narrative, he consistently attributes the success of his mission entirely to the faithfulness of the LORD.

Verse 29

Laban, Rebekah’s brother, is introduced. His swift action is motivated both by hospitality (v. 31) and by the sight of the valuable gold jewelry his sister is wearing (v. 30).

Verse 33

Refusing to eat before speaking shows the servant’s dedication to his mission. He prioritizes his master’s oath and God’s guidance above his own comfort.

Verse 50

Laban and Bethuel recognize that the events are providential, stating, 'The thing proceedeth from the LORD.' This acknowledgment makes it impossible for them to refuse the request on human grounds.

Verse 54

The servant is eager to return immediately to Abraham, recognizing that the LORD has 'prospered' his way and desiring to complete the covenant task without delay.

Verse 58

Rebekah’s decisive answer, 'I will go,' demonstrates her personal faith and willingness to leave her home and kindred, mirroring the obedient faith of Abraham (Gen 12:4).

Verse 60

This blessing is deeply covenantal, wishing Rebekah fertility ('mother of thousands of millions') and military dominance ('possess the gate'), ensuring the continuation of the promised seed.

Verse 62

Beer-lahai-roi ('Well of the Living One who sees me') was a significant place associated with divine encounter and Hagar (Gen 16). Isaac was dwelling in the Negev region.

Verse 63

Isaac's contemplative nature is highlighted; he went out 'to meditate' (or possibly 'to pray' or 'to converse') in the field, indicating a man of quiet reflection and piety.

Verse 65

Rebekah covering herself with a veil was a gesture of modesty and respect, customary when a bride first met her intended husband.

Verse 67

The marriage is sealed by Isaac bringing Rebekah into the tent of his deceased mother, Sarah, symbolizing the transfer of the matriarchal role and the continuity of the covenant family. Isaac found comfort after years of mourning.

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