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Genesis 24:2

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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:

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}:

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;

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

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

In Genesis 24:2, we find Abraham, now very old, initiating a critical mission for his household and the future of God's promises. He summons his most trusted and eldest servant, likely Eliezer of Damascus, who managed all his possessions. The verse records Abraham's unusual request for the servant to "Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh." This seemingly strange act was, in fact, a deeply solemn and binding oath in ancient Near Eastern culture.

Historical and Cultural Context

Abraham's advanced age (Genesis 24:1) underscores the urgency and importance of this task: finding a wife for his son, Isaac, who was the heir to the covenant promises. The chosen bride needed to be from Abraham's own people and not from the Canaanites, ensuring the purity of the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. The act of placing one's hand under the thigh was a powerful and ancient form of oath-taking, signifying an unbreakable commitment. It is believed to have involved touching the area of the reproductive organs, symbolizing the future generations and the very essence of one's being, thereby invoking a curse upon one's descendants if the oath were broken. This made the commitment extraordinarily serious.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Solemnity of Oaths: This verse highlights the gravity with which covenants and promises were made and upheld in biblical times. It was not a casual agreement but a sacred bond.
  • Abraham's Foresight and Faith: Abraham's concern for Isaac's marriage demonstrates his deep commitment to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, which included a vast lineage (Genesis 12:2). He sought divine guidance through the servant's mission.
  • Trust and Stewardship: The servant's role as manager of all Abraham's possessions, and now this critical mission, speaks volumes about the deep trust Abraham placed in him. It exemplifies responsible stewardship and delegation.
  • Divine Providence: While not explicit in this verse, the entire chapter showcases God's guiding hand in orchestrating the events to find Rebekah, Isaac's destined wife.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "thigh" is yarek (יָרֵךְ), which can refer to the hip, loin, or upper part of the leg. In biblical contexts, it often carries connotations of procreation and descendants, as seen in phrases like "those who came out of his loins" (Genesis 46:26). Therefore, placing the hand under the thigh was not merely a physical gesture but a symbolic appeal to the very source of one's posterity, making the oath incredibly binding and impactful on one's future generations. A similar oath is seen later when Jacob requests Joseph to swear by putting his hand under his thigh.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us of the importance of integrity and the seriousness of our commitments, whether they are verbal promises or formal agreements. It teaches us about the value of trust in relationships and the wisdom of entrusting significant responsibilities to those who are proven faithful. Furthermore, Abraham's diligent pursuit of a suitable spouse for Isaac, guided by his faith in God's plan, serves as a model for seeking divine guidance in crucial life decisions, especially those that impact our legacy and future generations. The principle of a solemn oath also points to the ultimate reliability of God's own promises and covenants.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 47:29 (7 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Genesis 24:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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;