Genesis 24:21

KJV

And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the man {H376} wondering {H7583} at her held his peace {H2790}, to wit {H3045} whether the LORD {H3068} had made {H6743} his journey {H1870} prosperous {H6743} or {H518} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man gazed at her in silence, waiting to find out whether ADONAI had made his trip successful or not.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, the man watched her silently to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success.

American Standard Version

And the man looked stedfastly on her, holding his peace, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:21 captures Abraham's chief servant in a moment of profound, prayerful discernment, as he silently observes Rebekah after her remarkable act of generosity. Having just witnessed her fulfill the precise conditions of his specific prayer for a sign, the servant pauses, holding his peace and gazing in silent wonder, meticulously assessing whether the Lord had indeed made his crucial mission to find a wife for Isaac prosperous. This pivotal pause signifies not doubt, but a careful, faith-filled verification of divine providence before he proceeds with the next steps of his God-ordained task.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point within Genesis 24, one of the longest and most detailed narrative chapters in the Pentateuch. The chapter opens with Abraham, old and near the end of his life, commissioning his most trusted servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own kindred in Mesopotamia, specifically forbidding a Canaanite bride ([Genesis 24:1-4](/genesis/24-1-4 "Abraham's Charge to His Servant")). The servant, embarking on this momentous journey, arrives at a well outside the city of Nahor and offers a bold, specific prayer for a sign: that the woman divinely appointed for Isaac would not only offer him water but also voluntarily offer to water his camels ([Genesis 24:12-14](/genesis/24-12-14 "The Servant's Prayer for a Sign")). Almost immediately, Rebekah appears and, without prompting, fulfills the exact conditions of his prayer, demonstrating extraordinary hospitality and diligence ([Genesis 24:15-20](/genesis/24-15-20 "Rebekah's Appearance and Generosity")). Verse 21 then describes the servant's internal, silent processing of these miraculous events, his quiet awe and careful consideration, before he takes any further action. This moment of silent contemplation underscores the servant's deep faith and his desire for absolute certainty regarding God's hand in the unfolding events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage was primarily a family affair, often arranged to secure alliances, preserve lineage, and protect inheritance. Abraham's insistence on a bride from his own kin highlights the importance of covenantal purity and the preservation of the Abrahamic promise. Wells were vital communal gathering places, especially for women who drew water, making them natural settings for such encounters. Hospitality was a paramount virtue, a sacred duty to travelers; Rebekah's immediate and abundant provision of water for both the servant and his ten camels (a significant undertaking) would have been an extraordinary display of generosity, far exceeding customary expectations. Furthermore, the practice of seeking divine signs for major life decisions was common, reflecting a deep reliance on divine guidance in a world where direct revelation was often sought for critical matters, especially those tied to the fulfillment of God's promises.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 24:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Divine Providence and Guidance**, illustrating God's active and meticulous involvement in the lives of His covenant people, even in seemingly mundane details like finding a spouse. The servant's specific prayer and Rebekah's immediate, precise fulfillment highlight the theme of **Answered Prayer and Discernment**, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's will and carefully observing His responses. The servant's silent pause also underscores the theme of **Patience and Prudence in Decision-Making**, teaching that even in the face of compelling evidence, wisdom dictates a period of reflection and verification before acting. Finally, the entire chapter, including this verse, powerfully portrays **Faithfulness to God's Covenant and Promises**, as Abraham and his servant diligently work to ensure the continuation of the promised lineage through Isaac, a lineage through which all nations would eventually be blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 24:21 states, "And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not." This verse captures the pivotal moment of Abraham's servant's internal processing after Rebekah's remarkable demonstration of kindness and diligence.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh'_):** While seemingly simple, "the man" here refers to Abraham's chief servant (traditionally Eliezer), a figure of immense trust and responsibility. The use of _ʼîysh_ emphasizes his individual role and the weight of the mission resting on him. He is not merely a bystander but the central human agent in this divine drama, tasked with securing the future of Abraham's lineage.
* **held his peace (Hebrew, _chârash'_):** This verb signifies "to be silent," "to keep quiet," or "to refrain from speaking." It implies a deliberate, conscious act of restraint. The servant's silence is not passive; it is an active choice to observe, reflect, and process the extraordinary events without immediate reaction or premature declaration. This highlights his prudence and wisdom, preventing him from rushing to conclusions or revealing his purpose too soon.
* **to wit (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** Meaning "to know," "to ascertain," or "to discern," this word reveals the servant's explicit purpose in his silent observation. He is not merely curious; he is actively seeking confirmation and understanding. His pause is a methodical act of verification, a spiritual "checking of the facts" to ensure that the unfolding events are indeed God's direct and undeniable answer to his specific prayer. This demonstrates a deep commitment to aligning his actions with divine will.
* **prosperous (Hebrew, _tsâlach'_):** This term means "to push forward," "to succeed," or "to be profitable." It describes the desired outcome of the servant's journey. For the servant, "prosperity" is not merely material gain, but the successful fulfillment of his God-given mission—finding the divinely appointed wife for Isaac. The question is whether God has "pushed forward" his journey to a successful conclusion, confirming His providential hand.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the man wondering at her held his peace":** This initial clause sets the scene for the servant's internal state. "Wondering" (from the root _shâʼâh_) conveys a sense of astonishment, silent awe, or gazing in profound wonder, suggesting not mere casual observation but a deep, contemplative gaze, perhaps mixed with a sense of the miraculous. The servant is not simply curious; he is silently astounded by the precise and immediate fulfillment of his specific prayer. His decision to "hold his peace" (Hebrew _macharish_) emphasizes his deliberate refusal to speak or act prematurely. Despite the overwhelming evidence that Rebekah was the woman, the servant exercises prudence and patience, preventing him from making a hasty declaration or revealing his purpose too soon. His silence is a conscious act of restraint, an act of careful processing.
* **"to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not":** This second clause explicitly states the purpose of the servant's silent contemplation. The phrase "to wit" means "to know" or "to ascertain." The servant's pause is not born of doubt in God's ability, but rather a careful, prayerful verification. Having presented a specific request to God, he is now meticulously discerning if the unfolding events are indeed God's direct answer and confirmation of His providential hand in his mission. This highlights the servant's deep faith and his commitment to ensuring that his actions align perfectly with the divine will, rather than presuming success based on initial impressions. His quiet waiting was crucial for his discernment, demonstrating a model of seeking clear divine confirmation.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative employs several literary devices to heighten the significance of this moment. **Suspense** is masterfully built as the servant's silent contemplation creates a pause in the fast-paced narrative of Rebekah's actions. The reader, like the servant, is left to wonder about the outcome, emphasizing the gravity of the decision and the divine stakes involved. This moment also serves as a form of **Narrative Pacing**, slowing down the action to highlight the servant's internal state and the weight of his discernment, contrasting with Rebekah's swift and decisive actions. Furthermore, there is an element of **Foreshadowing** in the servant's meticulous verification; it suggests that God's guidance is not always immediately obvious or to be presumed, but requires careful, prayerful discernment. The servant's actions model a type of **Divine Confirmation**, where extraordinary circumstances are not merely coincidences but potential signs from God requiring careful interpretation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:21 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of seeking and discerning God's will in critical life decisions. The servant's actions demonstrate a model of faith that is both bold in prayer and patient in waiting for divine confirmation. He does not rush to declare success but carefully observes and processes the unfolding events, recognizing that true divine guidance often requires a period of quiet contemplation and verification. This verse underscores that God's providence is not a passive force but an active, guiding hand, meticulously orchestrating circumstances to fulfill His purposes. It teaches us to cultivate a spirit of discernment, trusting that God will make His path clear to those who diligently seek Him and patiently wait for His confirmation.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Psalm 37:7](/psalms/37-7 "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "Ask God for wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:21 offers invaluable lessons for believers today in navigating significant life decisions and seeking divine guidance. When we bring our requests to God through prayer, this verse encourages us to not only pray specifically but also to cultivate a spirit of careful observation and patient discernment. Rather than rushing to conclusions or making hasty decisions based on initial signs, we are called to "hold our peace," allowing time for God's will to become undeniably clear. This involves trusting in God's active providence, recognizing that He is at work in the details of our lives, and waiting for His confirmation before moving forward. Just as the servant sought to ensure his steps were truly aligned with God's prosperous plan for Isaac, we too are called to ensure our decisions are rooted in prayerful discernment, leading to a deeper reliance on God's perfect timing and wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's guidance, and how might the servant's example of "wondering" and "holding his peace" inform your approach?**
* **How do you typically discern God's will, and what steps can you take to cultivate a more patient and prayerful process of verification?**
* **Can you recall a time when you rushed ahead without sufficient discernment, and what was the outcome? Conversely, when did patient waiting prove beneficial?**
* **How does the servant's commitment to his mission, even in moments of uncertainty, challenge you to be more faithful in your own God-given tasks?**

### FAQ
**Why was Abraham's servant silent and wondering?**

Answer: The servant's silence and wonder were not signs of confusion or doubt, but rather a profound act of discernment and reverence. Having prayed a very specific prayer for a sign regarding Isaac's future wife ([Genesis 24:12-14](/genesis/24-12-14 "The Servant's Prayer")), he was observing Rebekah's actions with intense focus, comparing them to his petition. His "wondering" (Hebrew _mishtaeh_) indicates silent astonishment, suggesting he recognized the immediate and precise fulfillment of his prayer as potentially miraculous and divinely orchestrated. His decision to "hold his peace" (Hebrew _macharish_) demonstrates prudence and patience. He sought to confirm with absolute certainty that this remarkable coincidence was indeed the Lord's providential answer to his mission, before speaking or acting further. This was a moment of deep spiritual processing, ensuring his next steps aligned perfectly with God's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Abraham's servant seeking a bride for Isaac serves as a profound and beautiful type of the Father sending the Holy Spirit to gather a bride for His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as the servant was sent with a specific mission to find a suitable partner from Abraham's kindred, so the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father after Christ's ascension to call out a people for Christ—His Church—from among those who are spiritually kindred, born of God's Spirit ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit, the Helper")). The servant's discerning pause in [Genesis 24:21](/genesis/24-21 "The Servant's Discernment"), his quiet wonder and careful verification of God's prosperous hand, powerfully foreshadows the meticulous and patient work of the Holy Spirit in the world. The Spirit, too, works to ensure that those called are truly prepared and chosen by God, leading them to Christ, convicting them of sin and righteousness ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "The Spirit's Convicting Work")). The "prosperous journey" of the servant ultimately culminates in the joyous union of Isaac and Rebekah, just as the Spirit's ongoing work ensures the successful gathering of the elect, leading them into an eternal covenant with Christ, the true Bridegroom, for whom the Church is being prepared as a pure and spotless bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's Love for the Church"); [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

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 24:12

And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

Psalms 107:43

Whoso [is] wise, and will observe these [things], even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

Luke 2:51

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

2 Samuel 7:18

¶ Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who [am] I, O Lord GOD? and what [is] my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

2 Samuel 7:20

And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

Psalms 116:1

¶ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications.