Genesis 24:2

KJV

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abraham {H85} said {H559} unto his eldest {H2205} servant {H5650} of his house {H1004}, that ruled over {H4910} all that he had, Put {H7760}, I pray thee, thy hand {H3027} under my thigh {H3409}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Avraham said to the servant who had served him the longest, who was in charge of all he owned, "Put your hand under my thigh;

Berean Standard Bible

So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,

American Standard Version

And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
records a pivotal moment in Abraham's life where, advanced in years, he entrusts his most senior and trusted household manager with the sacred task of finding a wife for his son Isaac. The verse details Abraham's unusual and profoundly solemn instruction for the servant to place his hand under Abraham's thigh, an ancient Near Eastern ritual signifying an unbreakable oath and underscoring the immense spiritual and familial gravity of the mission ahead.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Genesis 24:1](/genesis/24-1 "Abraham's Old Age and Prosperity"), which establishes Abraham's advanced age and the Lord's blessing upon him in all things. The narrative then shifts to the urgent matter of securing Isaac's future, specifically his marriage. This chapter serves as a crucial bridge between Abraham's life and the continuation of the covenant through Isaac. The meticulous detail given to the servant's journey and the divine guidance sought and received highlights the providential nature of God's plan for the covenant line. The oath taken in [Genesis 24:2](/genesis/24-2 "Abraham's Oath to His Eldest Servant") sets the tone for the entire chapter, emphasizing the non-negotiable importance of the mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Oath-taking rituals in the ancient Near East were not casual affairs but deeply binding commitments, often involving physical gestures and invoking divine witnesses or severe consequences for breaking the vow. The specific act of placing a hand under the thigh, as seen here and later in [Genesis 47:29](/genesis/47-29 "Jacob's Oath to Joseph"), was a unique and particularly solemn form of oath. It is widely understood to involve touching the generative organs, symbolizing the oath-taker's descendants and lineage as surety for the promise. This practice underscored the profound impact of the oath on one's future and posterity, making it an exceptionally weighty and unbreakable bond in a culture where oral agreements and personal integrity were paramount.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 24](/genesis/24 "The Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah") is rich with themes central to the Abrahamic covenant. **Divine Providence** is a dominant theme, as God actively guides the servant's journey to Rebekah, demonstrating His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises concerning Abraham's descendants and the land. **Covenant Preservation** is vital, as Abraham's insistence on a non-Canaanite wife ensures the purity of the messianic line, safeguarding the distinct identity of the chosen people. **Faith and Obedience** are exemplified by both Abraham's trust in God's guidance for Isaac's future and the servant's diligent and faithful execution of his master's solemn command, even in the face of uncertainty, as seen in his prayer for guidance in [Genesis 24:12](/genesis/24-12 "The Servant's Prayer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eldest (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** From H2205, meaning "old; aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator." This term signifies not merely chronological age but also status, wisdom, and authority. The servant's "eldest" status implies he was the most senior, trusted, and experienced member of Abraham's household, likely the steward responsible for managing all of Abraham's vast possessions, as hinted at in [Genesis 15:2](/genesis/15-2 "Eliezer of Damascus").
* **ruled over (Hebrew, _mâshal'_):** From H4910, a primitive root meaning "to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power." This word emphasizes the servant's significant authority and administrative power within Abraham's household. He was not merely a servant but a chief administrator, entrusted with immense responsibility, making him the natural choice for a mission of such critical importance.
* **thigh (Hebrew, _yârêk'_):** From H3409, meaning "the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side." This term is crucial for understanding the oath. In biblical Hebrew, "thigh" or "loins" often serves as a euphemism for the reproductive organs, symbolizing the source of one's descendants and lineage. The act of placing a hand under the thigh thus invoked the future generations and the very essence of one's being as surety for the oath, making it a profoundly binding and sacred commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker, Abraham, and the recipient of his command, his chief servant. The description "eldest servant of his house" highlights the servant's seniority, wisdom, and the deep trust Abraham placed in him, identifying him as the most suitable person for a mission of such gravity.
* **"that ruled over all that he had,"**: This phrase further underscores the servant's elevated position and immense responsibility within Abraham's household. He was the steward, the manager of all Abraham's wealth and affairs, indicating his proven faithfulness, competence, and intimate knowledge of Abraham's concerns and values. This detail reinforces why Abraham would entrust him with the most crucial task of his later life.
* **"Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:"**: This is the core instruction, detailing the specific, ancient, and highly symbolic act of oath-taking. The request to place the hand under the thigh signifies a solemn and unbreakable covenant. By touching the area associated with procreation and posterity, the servant was effectively invoking his own future generations as a guarantee for his faithfulness to the oath, implying dire consequences for his lineage if he were to break his word. This gesture elevated the promise beyond a mere verbal agreement to a sacred, binding commitment before God and man.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Emphasis** is achieved through the detailed description of the servant's status ("eldest," "ruled over all that he had"), highlighting the gravity of the mission and the trust placed in him. The command itself utilizes **Symbolism**, where the physical act of placing a hand under the thigh serves as a powerful symbol of a deeply binding oath. This gesture, rooted in ancient Near Eastern custom, symbolically links the oath-taker's commitment to his very lineage and future generations, imbuing the promise with profound personal and familial consequences. Furthermore, the scene **Foreshadows** the enduring importance of solemn oaths and covenants throughout biblical history, reinforcing the idea that promises made in God's presence carry eternal weight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates the sacred nature of promises and covenants in the biblical worldview, emphasizing that certain commitments transcend mere verbal agreements to become deeply binding, often with spiritual and generational implications. Abraham's actions demonstrate his unwavering commitment to God's covenant promises, particularly those concerning his lineage and the future of the promised seed. He recognizes that the fulfillment of God's plan hinges on the purity and integrity of Isaac's marital union, thus taking extraordinary measures to ensure it. The servant's faithful response, in turn, exemplifies the biblical principle of responsible stewardship and loyalty in service to a greater, divinely ordained purpose.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham") - The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and land, setting the stage for the importance of Isaac's lineage.
* [Hebrews 6:16](/hebrews/6-16 "Oaths Confirm Promises") - This New Testament verse explains that "men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute," underscoring the universal human understanding of oaths as binding and ultimate.
* [Psalm 15:4](/psalms/15-4 "The Righteous Person's Oath") - This psalm describes the person who "swears to his own hurt and does not change," highlighting the integrity required in upholding one's vows, even when inconvenient.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 24:2](/genesis/24-2 "Abraham's Oath to His Eldest Servant") challenges us to consider the weight and integrity of our own commitments. In a world where promises are often lightly made and easily broken, Abraham's solemn oath reminds us that our word, especially when given before God or in matters of significant consequence, should be held as sacred. It calls us to cultivate a character of trustworthiness and faithfulness, recognizing that our integrity impacts not only ourselves but also those around us and potentially future generations. Furthermore, Abraham's diligent and prayerful pursuit of a suitable spouse for Isaac, ensuring the continuation of God's covenant, serves as a powerful model for seeking divine guidance and exercising responsible stewardship in all major life decisions, particularly those that have lasting spiritual and familial implications. Just as Abraham trusted God to guide his servant, we are encouraged to trust God's providence in our own lives, knowing that His promises are eternally binding and reliable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my promises and commitments, especially those made to God or to others in significant relationships?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to exercise greater stewardship and faithfulness, following the example of Abraham's servant?**
* **How does Abraham's concern for Isaac's marriage guide my own approach to major life decisions, particularly those that impact my family or spiritual legacy?**

### FAQ
**Why did Abraham ask his servant to put his hand "under my thigh"?**

Answer: This was an ancient Near Eastern custom for taking a solemn and binding oath. The "thigh" (Hebrew: *yârêk*) often symbolized the loins or reproductive organs, representing the source of one's descendants. By placing a hand under the thigh, the oath-taker was symbolically invoking their own posterity as a guarantee for the oath. This implied that a curse or severe consequence would fall upon their future generations if the oath were broken, making the commitment incredibly serious and impactful, far beyond a simple verbal promise. This practice is also seen later when [Jacob requests Joseph to swear by putting his hand under his thigh](/genesis/47-29 "Jacob's Similar Oath to Joseph") before his death, further underscoring its profound gravity and enduring significance in the biblical narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abraham's meticulous concern for Isaac's marriage, secured by a solemn oath, is a crucial link in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, ultimately pointing to Christ. The covenant promises made to Abraham, including the promise of a great nation and the blessing of all families of the earth, were to be fulfilled through Isaac's descendants, specifically through "the Seed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "Blessing Through Abraham's Seed")). By ensuring Isaac married within his own kin and not from the idolatrous Canaanites, Abraham was, by divine providence, safeguarding the purity and integrity of the genealogical line through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately come. This seemingly domestic arrangement is thus a vital act of covenant preservation, demonstrating God's faithfulness in meticulously orchestrating history to bring about the incarnation of Christ, the ultimate "Seed of Abraham" through whom all the nations of the earth are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham")). The solemnity of the oath also foreshadows the unbreakable nature of God's own covenant with humanity, sealed not by a human gesture but by the blood of Christ, the New Covenant's mediator ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")).

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

Genesis 47:29

And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

Genesis 39:4

And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

Genesis 39:6

And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was [a] goodly [person], and well favoured.

Genesis 24:9

And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

Genesis 24:10

¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

Genesis 15:2

¶ And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?

Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;