Genesis 24:14

KJV

And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

KJV (with Strong's)

And let it come to pass, that the damsel {H5291} to whom I shall say {H559}, Let down {H5186} thy pitcher {H3537}, I pray thee, that I may drink {H8354}; and she shall say {H559}, Drink {H8354}, and I will give {H8248} thy camels {H1581} drink {H8248} also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed {H3198} for thy servant {H5650} Isaac {H3327}; and thereby shall I know {H3045} that thou hast shewed {H6213} kindness {H2617} unto my master {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will say to one of the girls, 'Please lower your jug, so that I can drink.' If she answers, 'Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,' then let her be the one you intend for your servant Yitz'chak. This is how I will know that you have shown grace to my master."

Berean Standard Bible

Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—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.”

American Standard Version

and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:14 records the precise and audacious prayer of Abraham's chief servant, dispatched to Mesopotamia to secure a wife for Isaac. Facing the daunting task of identifying God's chosen bride, he petitions for a specific, unmistakable divine sign: the woman divinely appointed for Isaac will not only offer him water but will also proactively and generously offer to water his ten thirsty camels, thereby unequivocally confirming God's steadfast kindness and faithful guidance to Abraham and his household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24 unfolds as a pivotal narrative within the Abrahamic covenant, focusing on the continuation of the promised lineage through Isaac. Abraham, now old and well-advanced in years, takes proactive steps to ensure Isaac's marriage aligns with God's will, specifically forbidding a Canaanite wife and instead sending his trusted servant to his homeland in Mesopotamia. The servant's journey and his prayer at the well are strategically placed after Abraham's solemn oath (cf. [Genesis 24:2-4](/genesis/24-2-4 "Abraham's Oath to His Servant")) and before the miraculous fulfillment of his petition, highlighting divine providence in the most personal of life decisions. This verse immediately follows the servant's arrival at the well outside the city of Nahor and his turning to God in prayer, recognizing the immense challenge of his mission and his need for supernatural guidance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, wells were vital communal gathering places, especially for women who would draw water for their households. This made them natural settings for social interaction and, as seen here, for significant encounters. Hospitality was a paramount cultural virtue, with offering water to a weary traveler being a customary act of politeness. However, the servant's request went far beyond this norm. Watering ten camels, which can collectively drink hundreds of gallons after a long journey (a single camel can drink up to 25 gallons in minutes), represented an extraordinary, laborious, and proactive act of selfless service. Such an undertaking would reveal a woman of exceptional generosity, diligence, and compassionate character, far exceeding mere social courtesy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **Divine Providence**, showcasing God's meticulous involvement in the details of human lives to fulfill His overarching plan, particularly in securing the covenant line through Isaac (cf. [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant")). It also underscores the **Power and Specificity of Prayer**, demonstrating that God responds to earnest, faith-filled petitions, even those seeking specific signs, when they align with His purposes. The servant's request for an act of extraordinary generosity highlights the biblical emphasis on **Character and Hospitality** as vital virtues, reflecting an inner disposition of selfless love (cf. [Romans 12:13](/romans/12-13 "Practice Hospitality")). Finally, the servant's desire to know that God "shewed kindness" (H2617, *chesed*) emphasizes God's **Covenant Faithfulness**—His unwavering, steadfast love and loyalty to His promises and His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Damsel (Hebrew, _naʻărâh'_ H5291):** This term refers to a young woman, typically from infancy to adolescence, or a maiden. Its use here indicates the servant was looking for a woman of marriageable age, highlighting the youth and potential for a long life within Abraham's lineage. It emphasizes the specific demographic of the woman he sought, not just any individual, but a young, unmarried woman suitable for Isaac.
* **Appointed (Hebrew, _yâkach'_ H3198):** This root means "to be right," "to argue," or "to decide," and causatively, "to justify or convict." In this context, it carries the sense of being "designated," "determined," or "decided upon" by God. The servant's prayer is not a test of chance, but a request for confirmation of God's pre-ordained choice. It underscores his conviction that Isaac's future wife was already divinely chosen and that God would provide a clear sign to identify her, thereby justifying or confirming His selection.
* **Kindness (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_ H2617):** This rich theological term signifies more than general kindness. It denotes covenant loyalty, steadfast love, mercy, and active benevolence. The servant's concluding statement, "thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master," reveals his understanding that the success of his mission, confirmed by this specific sign, would be a tangible demonstration of God's unwavering faithfulness to Abraham and the covenant promises concerning his descendants. It is an appeal to God's enduring, loyal love.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink;":** This initial clause sets the stage for the servant's specific test. He envisions a scenario where he initiates the interaction, requesting a customary act of hospitality—a drink from the woman's water pitcher. This establishes the baseline of polite interaction, against which the subsequent extraordinary act will be measured.
* **"and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:":** This is the crucial, defining element of the servant's requested sign. It moves beyond simple politeness to an act of exceptional, proactive, and laborious generosity. The woman's spontaneous offer to water the camels, without being asked, would demonstrate a heart of selfless service, diligence, and overflowing hospitality—qualities the servant believed would characterize God's chosen bride for Isaac.
* **"let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac;":** This clause reveals the theological conviction underlying the servant's prayer. He is not merely seeking a suitable woman, but *the* woman whom God has already divinely designated or decided upon for Isaac. This highlights the servant's faith in God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the details of Isaac's life and the continuation of the covenant line.
* **"and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.":** The servant's ultimate goal is not just to find a wife for Isaac, but to receive clear confirmation of God's faithful love and covenant loyalty (*chesed*) to Abraham. The successful fulfillment of this specific sign would serve as undeniable proof of God's active involvement and unwavering commitment to His promises, reassuring Abraham and his household of divine favor.

#### Literary Devices
The passage masterfully employs **Divine Intervention** and **Symbolism**. The entire narrative of Genesis 24, and this verse in particular, showcases God's direct and meticulous involvement in the seemingly mundane details of human life to fulfill His grand purposes. The servant's prayer is an appeal for this divine intervention, and its immediate, perfect fulfillment underscores God's active hand. The act of offering water, particularly to the thirsty camels, is rich in **Symbolism**. Water itself symbolizes life, sustenance, and blessing. The laborious act of drawing water for ten camels symbolizes a selfless, generous, and diligent character—qualities essential for a matriarch in a covenant lineage. Furthermore, the servant's specific request functions as a **Test** or **Divine Sign**, a common literary motif in biblical narratives where a specific, verifiable event confirms divine will or presence. The remarkable specificity of the prayer, followed by its exact fulfillment, also demonstrates **Narrative Precision**, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event and God's attentiveness to even the most detailed petitions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's active and sovereign involvement in the specific details of human life, particularly in crucial decisions like marriage, demonstrating His meticulous guidance in fulfilling His divine purposes for His people and their lineage. It underscores that God's providence is not merely general oversight but extends to the intimate and personal aspects of our existence. The servant's prayer exemplifies a profound trust in God's ability and willingness to provide clear direction when sought in faith and aligned with His will. Moreover, the emphasis on God's "kindness" (*chesed*) highlights His unwavering covenant loyalty and steadfast love, actively demonstrated through His faithful provision and guidance.

* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23-24 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:14 offers timeless lessons for believers today, particularly regarding seeking God's guidance in significant life decisions. The servant's example encourages us to approach God with specific, faith-filled prayers, trusting that He is intimately involved in our lives and willing to provide clear direction when our desires align with His purposes. This passage challenges us to prioritize character over superficial qualities, recognizing that true virtue, exemplified by selfless generosity and diligent service, is a hallmark of a heart aligned with God's principles. It reminds us that God's faithfulness (*chesed*) is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality, actively demonstrated as He guides and provides for His people through life's complexities, ensuring His promises are fulfilled. We are called to cultivate a spirit of dependence on God, acknowledging His sovereignty in all our endeavors, much like the servant who understood that the success of his mission depended entirely on divine appointment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking specific divine guidance, and how does the servant's prayer encourage you to be more specific in your own petitions?**
* **Beyond outward appearances, what character qualities do you prioritize when making significant life decisions, and how does Rebecca's spontaneous generosity challenge your perspectives?**
* **How does the concept of God's *chesed* (steadfast love and covenant loyalty) in this passage deepen your trust in His faithfulness in your own life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a spirit of proactive generosity and selfless service in your daily interactions, reflecting the character qualities sought by the servant?**

### FAQ
**Why did the servant ask for such a specific sign?**

Answer: The servant faced an enormous and critical task: finding a suitable wife for Isaac from a distant land, without any prior knowledge of the women there. He sought a specific, undeniable sign because he desired clear divine guidance, rather than relying on his own limited judgment or chance. The sign he requested—offering water to him and his ten thirsty camels—was a test of extraordinary generosity, diligence, and character, demonstrating a heart of selfless service that he believed would be a clear indicator of God's divinely appointed woman. This specificity reflected his profound faith in God's active involvement in human affairs, especially regarding the fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham.

**Does this passage encourage believers to ask God for signs today?**

Answer: While God is certainly able to provide clear guidance and this passage demonstrates His willingness to answer specific, faith-filled prayers, it does not necessarily establish a universal principle for believers to *always* ask for specific, verifiable signs. The servant's situation was unique, involving the direct fulfillment of a crucial covenant promise that would shape the destiny of God's chosen people. Today, believers are primarily guided by the Holy Spirit through prayer, the diligent study of [Scripture](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed"), wise counsel from godly individuals (cf. [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Where no counsel is, the people fall")), and discerning circumstances. While God can and sometimes does confirm His will through extraordinary means, the primary mode of guidance for the New Testament believer is through His Word and the inner witness of the Spirit, fostering a walk of faith rather than a constant search for external validation.

**What is the significance of the camels in the servant's request?**

Answer: The camels were absolutely crucial to the specificity and difficulty of the sign. Ten camels, having just completed a long journey, would be extremely thirsty, capable of drinking hundreds of gallons of water. Volunteering to draw and provide such a large quantity of water for a stranger's animals was an act of immense labor, requiring significant physical effort and a proactive, selfless spirit, far exceeding customary hospitality. This served as a robust test of character, revealing a woman's willingness to go above and beyond what was expected, demonstrating a truly generous and diligent heart, rather than just polite compliance. It made the sign undeniable and indicative of profound inner virtue.

**What does *chesed* mean in the context of this verse?**

Answer: *Chesed* (חֶסֶד), translated as "kindness" in the KJV, is a profound and multifaceted Hebrew term that encompasses far more than simple kindness. In this context, it signifies God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, unwavering faithfulness, and active benevolence. The servant was asking for God to demonstrate His faithful commitment to Abraham and His covenant promises—especially the promise of a lineage through Isaac—by clearly revealing the divinely appointed bride. It's an expression of God's enduring, unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His people, a love that is both loyal and actively expressed in their lives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous divine providence seen in the search for a bride for Isaac, ensuring the continuation of the covenant line through whom the Messiah would come, profoundly prefigures Christ's perfect provision for His Church, His Bride. Just as the servant sought a woman demonstrating extraordinary *chesed* (steadfast love and generosity), Christ perfectly embodies God's ultimate *chesed* through His sacrificial love on the cross (cf. [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us")), offering the ultimate "living water" to all who believe (cf. [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "Jesus offers living water")). He is the divinely appointed Bridegroom (cf. [John 3:29](/john/3-29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom")), fulfilling all covenant promises and gathering His people, not by a specific sign at a well, but through His completed work of redemption. Through His death and resurrection, Christ establishes His eternal kingdom, preparing His Church as a pure and spotless Bride (cf. [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her")) for His glorious return, demonstrating God's ultimate and unwavering faithfulness to His redemptive plan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 6:37

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; [and] if the dew be on the fleece only, and [it be] dry upon all the earth [beside], then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

Judges 6:17

And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.

Genesis 15:8

And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Judges 18:5

And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

Exodus 4:1

¶ And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

Exodus 4:9

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour [it] upon the dry [land]: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry [land].

Isaiah 7:11

Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.