Genesis 24:52

KJV

And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's {H85} servant {H5650} heard {H8085} their words {H1697}, he worshipped {H7812} the LORD {H3068}, bowing himself to the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Avraham's servant heard what they said, he prostrated himself on the ground to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:52 captures Abraham's servant's immediate and profound act of worship, prostrating himself before the LORD. This spontaneous response occurred upon hearing Laban and Bethuel's definitive consent for Rebekah to marry Isaac, signifying the servant's deep gratitude and unwavering recognition of God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the successful fulfillment of his crucial mission. His humility and reverence underscore a heart attuned to divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis chapter 24 is a pivotal narrative within the patriarchal history, focusing entirely on Abraham's diligent effort to secure a wife for his son Isaac. This chapter serves as a bridge between Abraham's life and Isaac's, ensuring the continuation of the covenant line through a divinely chosen spouse. The preceding verses detail the servant's arrival in Nahor, his prayer for divine guidance at the well, Rebekah's providential appearance and hospitality, and the subsequent negotiations with her family. Specifically, verses 50-51 record Laban and Bethuel's acknowledgment that the entire matter was "from the LORD" ([Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel's acknowledgment of divine intervention")) and their subsequent consent for Rebekah to return with the servant. Verse 52, therefore, marks the servant's immediate and appropriate spiritual response to the undeniable confirmation of God's direct intervention and successful conclusion of his divinely appointed task.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage arrangements were typically a family affair, often involving intricate negotiations and the exchange of gifts, rather than individual romantic choice. Abraham's directive to his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own kin (Mesopotamia) rather than among the Canaanites was crucial for maintaining the purity of the covenant line and avoiding the idolatrous practices of the local inhabitants. The act of "bowing himself to the earth" was a common, deeply significant gesture of respect, submission, and worship in the ancient world. It was used to show deference to kings, powerful individuals, and, most importantly, to God. The servant's journey itself, spanning hundreds of miles, was arduous and dangerous, making the successful, divinely-guided outcome all the more remarkable and worthy of such profound worship.

* **Key Themes:** This chapter, and particularly this verse, powerfully highlights several overarching themes. First, it underscores **God's active and faithful providence** in guiding the lives of His covenant people, meticulously orchestrating events to fulfill His promises, as seen in the servant's prayer and its swift answer ([Genesis 24:12-27](/genesis/24-12-27 "The servant's prayer and God's immediate answer")). Second, it exemplifies **the nature of true worship** as a spontaneous, humble, and physical expression of gratitude and submission to God's sovereignty, not merely a ritualistic act. Third, it demonstrates **God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises**, specifically the promise of numerous descendants through whom blessings would flow, which necessitated Isaac's marriage. Finally, it showcases **the efficacy of prayer** and God's faithfulness in responding to those who seek His guidance in alignment with His divine purposes, leading to the servant's profound act of thanksgiving.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Upon receiving the definitive and divinely acknowledged consent from Rebekah's family, Abraham's servant immediately prostrated himself in worship before the LORD. This profound physical act, described as "bowing himself to the earth," was not merely a gesture of politeness but a deep expression of spiritual reverence and acknowledgment. It demonstrated his clear understanding that the successful outcome of his arduous journey was not due to his own skill or luck, but entirely orchestrated by divine providence.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." In this context, "their words" refer to the definitive statement from Laban and Bethuel (Genesis 24:50-51) granting permission for Rebekah to go with the servant and become Isaac's wife. The servant recognized these "words" as the final, human confirmation of God's divine "word" or purpose being fulfilled.
* **worshipped (Hebrew, _shâchâh'_):** From H7812, meaning "to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship." This verb describes a physical act of prostration, signifying an inward attitude of complete submission, reverence, and homage. It is the most common Hebrew word for worship, emphasizing the physical posture of humility before a superior.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, frequently translated as "LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. The servant's worship is directed specifically to YHWH, the God of Abraham, who actively intervenes in human affairs and keeps His covenant promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words":** This clause sets the scene, highlighting the immediate trigger for the servant's response. The "words" refer to the explicit consent given by Laban and Bethuel for Rebekah to depart with the servant and become Isaac's wife, acknowledging that "the thing proceedeth from the LORD" ([Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel's declaration of divine origin")). The servant, having prayed earnestly for a sign and witnessed God's clear guidance, recognized these words as the final, undeniable confirmation of God's successful orchestration of his mission.
* **"he worshipped the LORD":** This is the core action of the verse. The servant's immediate response is not self-congratulation or relief, but profound worship directed towards YHWH. This demonstrates a heart deeply attuned to God's active involvement in his life and mission, attributing all success directly to divine intervention rather than his own efforts or luck. It's an act of humble adoration and thanksgiving.
* **"bowing himself to the earth":** This phrase further elaborates on the nature of his worship, describing the physical posture of prostration. This was the most extreme form of reverence and submission in the ancient world, signifying complete humility, surrender, and adoration. It visually emphasizes the servant's recognition of God's absolute sovereignty and his own position as a humble recipient of divine favor and guidance, literally bringing himself low before the Most High God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore the depth of the servant's worship. The phrase "he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth" uses two closely related expressions to describe a single, profound act. "Worshipped" (shâchâh) inherently implies bowing or prostration, but the explicit addition of "bowing himself to the earth" serves to intensify the description, leaving no doubt about the completeness and sincerity of his reverence. This **Visual Imagery** of prostration powerfully conveys humility and total submission. The immediate nature of his response ("when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped...") highlights the servant's spiritual sensitivity and quickness to acknowledge divine providence, acting as a **Model** for the reader's own response to God's faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This singular act of worship by Abraham's servant serves as a profound theological statement on God's active sovereignty and the appropriate human response. It powerfully illustrates that God is not a distant deity but intimately involved in the details of His people's lives, meticulously guiding circumstances to fulfill His overarching redemptive plan. The servant's spontaneous prostration exemplifies true worship as a humble, immediate, and physical expression of gratitude and submission to God's undeniable hand, rather than a mere ritual. This event reinforces the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, as the successful securing of a bride for Isaac directly contributes to the continuation of the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

* [Psalm 95:6](/psalm/95-6 "Call to worship and bow down")
* [Exodus 4:31](/exodus/4-31 "The people bowed down and worshipped upon hearing God's word")
* [1 Chronicles 29:20](/1_chronicles/29-20 "The congregation bowed down and worshipped the LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abraham's servant offers a timeless model for believers today. When we witness God's clear hand at work in our lives—whether through answered prayers, evident guidance, or unforeseen blessings—our natural and proper response should be one of immediate and heartfelt worship. This account encourages us to cultivate an acute awareness of God's active providence in our daily circumstances, attributing successes and provisions to Him. By making gratitude and humble worship a spontaneous and consistent part of our spiritual walk, we acknowledge His sovereignty and our complete dependence on His faithful leading, mirroring the servant's profound reverence. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's goodness and into a posture of genuine, humble adoration that acknowledges His supreme authority over every detail of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How quickly do I attribute successes and positive outcomes in my life to God's providence, rather than my own efforts or chance?**
* **What does my physical posture or immediate reaction reveal about the depth of my gratitude and worship when God answers a prayer or provides guidance?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to cultivate a greater awareness of God's active involvement and respond with more spontaneous worship?**

### FAQ
**Why did the servant worship immediately after hearing their words?**

Answer: The servant's immediate worship stemmed from his profound recognition that the successful outcome of his mission was a direct, undeniable answer to his earlier prayer ([Genesis 24:12-14](/genesis/24-12-14 "The servant's prayer for a sign")) and a clear manifestation of God's faithful guidance. The consent of Laban and Bethuel, specifically their acknowledgment that "the thing proceedeth from the LORD" ([Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel's declaration of divine origin")), confirmed the divine orchestration of the events, prompting an instant overflow of gratitude, reverence, and humble adoration.

**What is the significance of "bowing himself to the earth"?**

Answer: "Bowing himself to the earth" (Hebrew: _shâchâh'_) signifies a deep physical act of prostration, symbolizing profound humility, complete submission, and intense reverence. It is a posture of adoration that acknowledges God's supreme authority and majesty, indicating the worshiper's absolute dependence and devotion. In the ancient Near East, it was the ultimate gesture of respect and submission, reserved for kings or, in this case, for God Himself, demonstrating the servant's recognition of God's unparalleled power and faithfulness.

**Does this event suggest God micromanages every detail of our lives?**

Answer: While this narrative powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in specific, significant events tied to His covenant purposes, it doesn't necessarily imply micromanagement of every trivial detail. Rather, it highlights God's sovereign oversight and His willingness to guide and intervene in the lives of those who seek Him and are aligned with His will, especially concerning matters of eternal significance and covenant fulfillment, such as the lineage of the Messiah. It assures us that God is actively working to bring about His purposes, and we can trust in His leading.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abraham's servant's worship of the LORD in response to divine guidance and the securing of a bride for Isaac powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine intervention and fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Just as God faithfully guided the servant to secure a bride for Isaac, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would come, so too does Christ, the greater Bridegroom, secure His church, His bride, through His perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice on the cross ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's love for the Church, His bride")). The servant's humble prostration before the LORD anticipates the posture of all believers who, recognizing God's ultimate provision for salvation in Christ, bow in worship and submission, acknowledging Him as Lord ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Every knee will bow to Jesus")). Through Christ, God's providence is fully revealed, and His covenant promises find their ultimate "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "All of God's promises are 'Yes' in Christ")), inviting a worship far surpassing that of the servant, in response to the greatest divine work of redemption and the anticipation of the marriage supper of the Lamb ([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 24:26

And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

Genesis 24:48

And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

Psalms 116:1

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

Psalms 116:2

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

Psalms 95:6

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalms 34:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

Psalms 34:2

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.