Genesis 24:31

And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

And he said {H559}, Come in {H935}, thou blessed {H1288} of the LORD {H3068}; wherefore standest {H5975} thou without {H2351}? for I have prepared {H6437} the house {H1004}, and room {H4725} for the camels {H1581}.

"Come on in," he said, "you whom ADONAI has blessed! Why are you standing outside when I have made room in the house and prepared a place for the camels?"

โ€œCome, you who are blessed by the LORD,โ€ said Laban. โ€œWhy are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.โ€

And he said, Come in, thou blessed of Jehovah; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

Commentary

Genesis 24:31 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abraham's servant's mission to find a wife for Isaac. Laban, Rebekah's brother, extends an immediate and warm invitation to the servant, recognizing him as one "blessed of the LORD" and offering lodging for both him and his camels.

Context

This verse follows the servant's remarkable encounter with Rebekah at the well, a meeting divinely orchestrated and confirmed through a specific sign from God (Genesis 24:14). After Rebekah ran to tell her family, Laban, upon seeing the valuable gifts the servant had given his sister and hearing her account, swiftly came out to meet the stranger. His words in this verse mark the formal welcome into their home, a crucial step in the servant's mission to secure Rebekah as Isaac's bride, continuing the lineage of Abraham and the covenant promises of God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Recognition: Laban's immediate acknowledgement of the servant as "blessed of the LORD" highlights the clear evidence of God's hand in this entire journey. The miraculous nature of the encounter at the well, combined with the servant's obvious wealth, indicated divine favor.
  • Ancient Hospitality: The swift invitation to enter, the concern for the servant's well-being ("wherefore standest thou without?"), and the provision for his animals ("room for the camels") exemplify the profound importance of hospitality in the ancient Near East. Offering shelter, food, and security to travelers was considered a sacred duty and a mark of honor.
  • Eagerness and Welcome: Laban's eagerness to welcome the servant, perhaps fueled by a mixture of genuine hospitality and an awareness of the potential alliance and wealth represented by Abraham's household, paves the way for the discussions about Rebekah's future.
  • Fulfillment of Mission: This welcome is a critical step in the servant's successful completion of Abraham's instructions to find a wife for Isaac from among his own kindred.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "blessed of the LORD" (Hebrew: bฤrรปแธต Yahweh) is significant. It's not merely a polite greeting but an affirmation that the servant's prosperity and success are directly attributed to God's favor. Laban recognizes that the divine hand is upon this man, making his request and presence divinely sanctioned.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Recognizing God's Hand: Just as Laban recognized the "blessed of the LORD," we are called to discern God's activity and blessing in our own lives and in the circumstances around us.
  • The Virtue of Hospitality: The immediate and comprehensive welcome extended by Laban serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of hospitality. Christians are encouraged to practice hospitality and open their homes and hearts to others, especially strangers (Hebrews 13:2), reflecting God's welcoming nature.
  • Readiness to Serve: Laban's prompt action to prepare the house and care for the animals demonstrates a readiness to serve and accommodate, a valuable quality in any relationship or ministry.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ruth 3:10

    And he said, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD, my daughter: [for] thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

  • Genesis 26:29

    That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou [art] now the blessed of the LORD.

  • Psalms 115:15

    Ye [are] blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

  • Judges 17:2

    And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son.

  • Proverbs 18:16

    ยถ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

  • Proverbs 17:8

    ยถ A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
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