Genesis 24:18

KJV

And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559}, Drink {H8354}, my lord {H113}: and she hasted {H4116}, and let down {H3381} her pitcher {H3537} upon her hand {H3027}, and gave him drink {H8248}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Drink, my lord," she replied, and immediately lowered her jug onto her arm and let him drink.

Berean Standard Bible

“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

American Standard Version

And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:18 records Rebekah's immediate, respectful, and generous response to Abraham's servant, offering him water with promptness and humility. This pivotal moment serves as the initial, crucial fulfillment of the specific sign the servant had prayed for, revealing Rebekah's character as divinely suited for the role of Isaac's wife and confirming God's providential guidance in the unfolding of His covenant plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24 is a narrative masterpiece, dedicated entirely to the search for a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son of promise. The chapter opens with Abraham, old and full of days, entrusting his most trusted servant with the solemn task of finding a bride for Isaac from his own kindred in Mesopotamia, explicitly forbidding a Canaanite wife ([Genesis/24-1-4](/genesis/24-1-4 "Abraham's charge to his servant")). The servant's journey and his arrival at the well outside the city of Nahor set the stage for a divinely orchestrated encounter. Prior to Rebekah's appearance, the servant articulates a very specific prayer, asking God for a clear sign: the chosen woman would not only offer him water but also generously water his camels ([Genesis/24-12-14](/genesis/24-12-14 "The servant's prayer for a specific sign")). Genesis 24:18 immediately follows the servant's request for water from Rebekah in [Genesis 24:17](/genesis/24-17 "The servant's request for water"), marking the first step in the miraculous fulfillment of his prayer and the unfolding of God's providential plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, water was a precious commodity, and wells were vital social hubs, often serving as meeting places for communities and travelers. Hospitality was not merely a courtesy but a sacred duty, especially towards strangers and weary travelers. Offering water to a guest was a fundamental act of kindness and respect. The act of drawing water was typically a woman's chore, often performed in the cooler parts of the day. For a woman to offer water to a stranger, and especially to volunteer to water his animals (as Rebekah does subsequently), demonstrated exceptional generosity, strength, and a diligent work ethic. The address "my lord" (Hebrew: *ʼâdôwn*) was a common honorific used by a subordinate or a respectful individual when addressing a person of higher status or a stranger, signifying deference and politeness. Rebekah's immediate and unprompted offer goes beyond mere social custom, highlighting a character of remarkable virtue.
* **Key Themes:** This chapter, and [Genesis 24:18](/genesis/24-18 "Rebekah's immediate response"), deeply interweaves several significant themes. **Divine Providence and Guidance** is paramount, as God actively orchestrates the events to ensure the continuation of the covenant line through Isaac. The servant's prayer and its immediate, precise answer underscore God's faithfulness in guiding His people, as seen throughout the patriarchal narratives (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's covenant promise to Abraham")). The theme of **Hospitality and Generosity** is vividly portrayed through Rebekah's actions, presenting it as a virtue that aligns with God's purposes. Her character, marked by promptness and willingness to serve, becomes a **Sign of Divine Favor**, demonstrating how God uses the inherent qualities of individuals to accomplish His will. Furthermore, the search for a suitable bride for Isaac contributes to the overarching theme of **Covenant Continuity and Fulfillment**, ensuring the lineage through which God's promises would ultimately be realized, culminating in the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** This word (H113) signifies a sovereign, controller, master, or owner. Rebekah's use of "my lord" is a respectful address to a stranger, acknowledging his apparent status as a traveler of means, and demonstrating her humble and deferential posture. It sets the tone for her immediate and willing service.
* **hasted (Hebrew, _mâhar'_):** The verb (H4116) means "to be liquid or flow easily," and by implication, "to hurry" or "to be prompt." It conveys more than mere physical speed; it speaks to Rebekah's eager, willing, and unhesitating spirit. Her haste indicates an innate generosity and readiness to serve, demonstrating a character that goes above and beyond a perfunctory response.
* **let down (Hebrew, _yârad'_):** This primitive root (H3381) means "to descend" or "to go downwards," and causatively, "to bring down" or "let down." It describes the physical action of lowering her pitcher. This detail emphasizes her active and personal involvement in the act of service, making it easy for the servant to drink. It underscores her diligence and humility in providing refreshment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said, Drink, my lord":** Rebekah's immediate verbal response is one of respect and invitation. Her address, "my lord," indicates a polite and humble deference to the stranger, a common courtesy in the ancient world, yet delivered with a remarkable promptness that signals her willingness to serve. This is the first, crucial part of her response.
* **"and she hasted":** This phrase highlights Rebekah's promptness and eagerness. It's not a reluctant or delayed action, but a swift, willing movement, demonstrating her innate generosity and readiness to fulfill the request. Her speed underscores her genuine desire to provide hospitality.
* **"and let down her pitcher upon her hand":** This detail describes Rebekah's physical action. She actively lowered the pitcher, making it accessible for the servant to drink. This gesture signifies her personal involvement and humility, going beyond merely pointing to the water or offering the pitcher from a distance. It's a hands-on, diligent act of service.
* **"and gave him drink":** This final clause confirms the completion of the act of providing refreshment. It is the culmination of her verbal assent, her swift movement, and her physical effort, demonstrating her complete and effective fulfillment of the servant's initial request. This act directly fulfills the first part of the servant's prayed-for sign.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Action-Oriented Narrative** to vividly portray Rebekah's character through her deeds rather than extensive description. The sequence of "said," "hasted," "let down," and "gave him drink" creates a dynamic and immediate impression of her responsiveness. The use of **Detailing** ("upon her hand," "her pitcher") grounds the scene in concrete actions, making Rebekah's service tangible and personal. Furthermore, the passage functions as a **Sign** or **Test**, as Rebekah's actions precisely match the specific criteria Abraham's servant had prayed for, thereby confirming divine guidance and demonstrating her suitability for Isaac. This immediate and complete fulfillment of the sign serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** of her character and her future role in the covenant lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:18 is a profound illustration of divine providence working through human virtue. Rebekah's immediate and generous response to the servant's simple request for water is not merely a polite gesture but a divinely orchestrated moment that confirms her as the chosen bride for Isaac. Her character, marked by promptness, humility, and extraordinary hospitality, perfectly aligns with the specific sign the servant had prayed for, demonstrating God's active involvement in guiding the lives of His people and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. This passage underscores that God often works through the willing hearts and righteous actions of individuals to accomplish His grand purposes, revealing that even seemingly ordinary acts of kindness can be integral to His unfolding plan.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart") - Trust in the Lord's guidance, as demonstrated by the servant's prayer and God's immediate answer.
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers") - The passage exemplifies the biblical virtue of hospitality, reminding believers to welcome strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares.
* [Matthew 10:42](/matthew/10-42 "Giving a cup of cold water") - Jesus' teaching on the significance of even a small act of kindness, such as giving a cup of cold water, connects to Rebekah's act of providing refreshment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Rebekah's example in Genesis 24:18 provides a powerful model for contemporary believers. Her "hasted" response teaches us the profound value of prompt and willing service. In a world often characterized by hesitation or reluctance, Rebekah's immediate action, driven by genuine generosity, challenges us to cultivate a heart that is quick to perceive and meet the needs of others. This isn't about frantic activity, but about a spirit of readiness and cheerful giving. Her humility in serving a stranger, even lowering her pitcher for him, reminds us that true service often involves humbling ourselves and actively engaging in the needs of those around us, without seeking recognition or reward. This narrative encourages us to trust that God can use our seemingly small, ordinary acts of kindness, when offered with a willing heart, as integral parts of His grand, unfolding divine plan, demonstrating how our obedience and virtuous character can align with His greater purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I called to be more "hasty" or prompt in my service to others?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of genuine hospitality and humility, even towards strangers or those I find challenging?**
* **Do I trust that God can use my ordinary acts of kindness to fulfill His greater purposes, just as He did with Rebekah?**

### FAQ
**Why is Rebekah's response in this verse so significant?**

Answer: Rebekah's response is profoundly significant because it is the initial, precise fulfillment of the specific sign Abraham's servant had prayed for to identify Isaac's future wife ([Genesis 24:14](/genesis/24-14 "The servant's prayer for a specific sign")). Her immediate verbal assent ("Drink, my lord") and swift, diligent action ("she hasted, and let down her pitcher") demonstrate a character of exceptional hospitality, humility, and willingness to serve, which perfectly matched the servant's divinely inspired request. This moment confirms God's providential hand in the selection of Isaac's bride, ensuring the continuation of the covenant line.

**What does the KJV phrase "she hasted" imply about Rebekah's character?**

Answer: The phrase "she hasted" translates the Hebrew verb *mâhar* (H4116), which means to be quick, to hurry, or to be eager. It implies more than just physical speed; it conveys Rebekah's prompt, willing, and enthusiastic spirit. This highlights her innate generosity and readiness to serve without hesitation, rather than a reluctant or delayed response. It suggests a proactive and benevolent disposition, a key quality for the woman chosen to be part of God's covenant plan.

**Does this passage suggest that God still guides people in finding a spouse today?**

Answer: While this specific narrative involves a unique and direct divine intervention for a foundational covenant figure, the underlying principle of God's providential guidance in all areas of life, including significant decisions like marriage, remains true. Believers can pray for wisdom, discernment, and God's leading in their relationships, trusting that He works through various means—such as wise counsel, personal character development, and circumstances—to direct their paths according to His will ([Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart")). This passage encourages us to seek God's will and be open to His leading in our lives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Rebekah's spontaneous and generous provision of water in [Genesis 24:18](/genesis/24-18 "Rebekah's immediate response") offers a beautiful foreshadowing of Christ, the ultimate provider of life-sustaining spiritual refreshment. Just as Rebekah offered physical water to a weary traveler, Jesus Christ offers "living water" to all who are spiritually thirsty, promising that "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "Jesus offers living water to the Samaritan woman")). Her willingness to serve a stranger, without hesitation or expectation of reward, mirrors Christ's own self-sacrificial service, who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "The Son of Man came to serve")). Furthermore, the divine orchestration of a bride for Isaac, the son of promise, prefigures the divine plan for Christ, the true Son of Promise, to have a bride—the Church. Just as Rebekah was chosen and prepared, so too is the Church, chosen by God before the foundation of the world ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world")), and being prepared by the Holy Spirit to be presented as a pure and spotless bride to Christ ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her")). Thus, Rebekah's humble act of service points forward to the boundless grace and ultimate provision found in Jesus Christ.

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

Proverbs 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

Genesis 24:14

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.

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:9

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

1 Peter 3:8

¶ Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: