Genesis 24:54

KJV

¶ And they did eat and drink, he and the men that [were] with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they did eat {H398} and drink {H8354}, he and the men {H582} that were with him, and tarried all night {H3885}; and they rose up {H6965} in the morning {H1242}, and he said {H559}, Send me away {H7971} unto my master {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He and his men then ate and drank and stayed the night. In the morning they got up; and he said, "Send me off to my master."

Berean Standard Bible

Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.”

American Standard Version

And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:54 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abraham's servant, detailing the conclusion of a night of hospitality with Rebekah's family immediately following the successful arrangement of her marriage to Isaac. Despite the customary warmth and welcome, the verse highlights the servant's unwavering diligence and profound sense of duty as he rises early the next morning, expressing an urgent desire to return to his master, Abraham, with the news of his mission accomplished.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture within [Genesis chapter 24](/genesis/24 "Genesis 24 - The Account of Isaac and Rebekah"), a meticulously crafted narrative detailing Abraham's divinely guided quest to secure a wife for his son Isaac from among his own kin in Mesopotamia. The preceding verses recount the servant's providential encounter with Rebekah at the well, the confirmation of her identity as Abraham's relative, and the eager consent of her family for her to accompany the servant back to Canaan. Verse 54 serves as a brief interlude of rest and hospitality before the servant, driven by an extraordinary sense of responsibility, presses for an immediate departure. It underscores the servant's single-minded focus on his mission, contrasting the natural inclination to linger with his profound commitment to Abraham. The swift transition from feasting and lodging to an urgent request for departure emphasizes the narrative's focus on divine providence and the faithful execution of a sacred trust.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, hospitality was not merely a social custom but a sacred duty, often considered a moral imperative and a sign of honor and respect. Sharing a meal and providing lodging, as Rebekah's family does for Abraham's servant and his men, created a bond and signified acceptance and goodwill. This act of hospitality would typically invite a period of extended rest and fellowship. However, the servant's immediate request to depart the very next morning, despite the customary expectation for guests to stay longer, reveals a distinctive character trait and highlights the unique nature of his mission. His actions would have been understood by the original audience as a remarkable display of diligence and faithfulness, prioritizing the master's business above personal comfort or prolonged social engagement. The concept of a trusted servant or envoy (often referred to as a "steward" or "chief servant") acting with absolute fidelity to their master's instructions was highly valued in this cultural milieu.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 24:54 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the chapter and the broader book of Genesis. Foremost among these is **Divine Providence**, as God's hand is clearly seen guiding every step of the servant's journey, from the specific well to the willing family (e.g., [Genesis 24:27](/genesis/24-27 "Genesis 24:27 - The Servant's Praise for God's Guidance")). The servant's urgency reflects his recognition of this divine leading and his desire to complete the task God has blessed. Another prominent theme is **Faithful Stewardship and Diligence**. The servant exemplifies what it means to be a trustworthy agent, prioritizing his master's interests above his own comfort or convenience. His immediate desire to return underscores the importance of fulfilling commitments and reporting back, a model of integrity and responsibility. This also ties into the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment**, as the servant's mission is part of God's larger plan to establish Abraham's lineage and fulfill the promises made to him, ensuring the continuation of the covenant line through Isaac and Rebekah, as seen in the broader narrative of [Genesis](/genesis "The Book of Genesis - Beginnings and Patriarchs").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_ H398):** This primitive root signifies the act of consuming food, literally or figuratively. In this context, "eat and drink" refers to the shared meal provided by Rebekah's family, a customary act of hospitality that cemented the agreement and offered sustenance after the journey and negotiations. It implies a moment of rest and communal fellowship, albeit brief.
* **tarried all night (Hebrew, _lûwn'_ H3885):** This root means "to stop (usually over night)" or "to lodge." It indicates that the servant and his men accepted the hospitality offered and stayed overnight, implying a period of rest. The phrase "tarried all night" simply denotes the duration of their stay until the morning, without any hidden or complex linguistic nuances beyond its plain meaning of remaining for the night.
* **Send me away (Hebrew, _shâlach'_ H7971):** This primitive root is rich in meaning, encompassing "to send away, for, or out" in a variety of applications. Here, it is an urgent request for permission to depart. The servant's use of this verb immediately upon rising underscores his profound sense of duty and his singular focus on completing his mission and reporting back to Abraham, rather than lingering for further hospitality or celebration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they did eat and drink, he and the men that [were] with him,"**: This clause describes the immediate aftermath of the successful marriage negotiations. It highlights the customary ancient Near Eastern practice of hospitality, where a shared meal signified acceptance, goodwill, and the sealing of an agreement. The servant and his entourage were welcomed and provided for, a common courtesy extended to travelers and a sign of the family's affirmation of the proposed union.
* **"and tarried all night;"**: This phrase confirms that the hospitality extended to the servant included lodging. They rested for the night, indicating a natural pause in their journey after the significant events of the day. This brief respite, however, sets the stage for the servant's subsequent display of diligence.
* **"and they rose up in the morning,"**: This simple statement marks the transition from the period of rest to the resumption of the servant's mission. The early rising emphasizes the servant's promptness and his internal drive to complete his task without delay. It signals the end of the interlude and the beginning of the final phase of his assignment.
* **"and he said,"**: This introduces the servant's direct speech, which is the crux of this verse. His words reveal his character and priorities. The immediate nature of his address upon rising underscores his single-minded focus and determination.
* **"Send me away unto my master."**: This is the servant's urgent request. Despite the warmth of the hospitality and the momentous success of his mission, he does not wish to linger. His immediate desire to return to Abraham ("my master") demonstrates his profound sense of responsibility, faithfulness, and accountability. He considers his task incomplete until he has delivered Rebekah to Isaac and reported back to the one who sent him, prioritizing duty above all else.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Characterization** is central, as the servant's words and actions vividly portray his unwavering **diligence**, **faithfulness**, and **single-mindedness**. His immediate request to depart, despite the customary expectations of hospitality, highlights his exceptional commitment to his master's business. The **Narrative Pacing** is also significant; the quick transition from the act of eating and drinking and lodging to the servant's urgent request for departure creates a sense of immediacy and purpose, emphasizing that the servant views his mission as incomplete until he has returned. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** or **Typology**, as the servant's faithful completion of his mission and eager return to his master subtly prefigures the ultimate faithful Servant, Jesus Christ, and His return to the Father after accomplishing His redemptive work. The motif of **Hospitality** serves as a cultural backdrop, against which the servant's unique dedication is thrown into sharper relief.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The servant's actions in Genesis 24:54 provide a powerful illustration of diligent and faithful stewardship, a theme deeply woven throughout biblical theology. His refusal to linger, even after a successful and momentous undertaking, underscores the principle that true commitment involves seeing a task through to its complete fulfillment, prioritizing the master's will above personal comfort or delay. This exemplifies a profound sense of accountability and devotion, reflecting a heart that understands its purpose and responsibilities. It teaches us that our work, whether spiritual or temporal, should be undertaken with integrity and a sense of divine calling, always with an eye toward rendering a faithful account to the one who entrusted us with the task.

* [Proverbs 22:29](/proverbs/22-29 "Proverbs 22:29 - Diligence in Work")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Faithfulness in Stewardship")
* [Luke 17:10](/luke/17-10 "Luke 17:10 - Unprofitable Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:54 offers a timeless lesson on the virtues of diligence, faithfulness, and unwavering commitment to one's calling. The servant's immediate desire to return to Abraham, even after the successful completion of his arduous journey, challenges us to examine our own approach to the responsibilities and divine assignments God has placed before us. Are we prone to complacency once a significant milestone is reached, or do we maintain a spirit of urgency and accountability until the task is fully completed and reported? This verse reminds us that true spiritual maturity involves a steadfast resolve to honor our commitments, whether in our professional lives, our family relationships, or our service within the church. It calls us to cultivate a heart that is eager to report back to our ultimate Master, God Himself, with a joyful account of how we have stewarded the gifts, opportunities, and ministries He has entrusted to us. Like the servant, we are to be people who prioritize the Master's business, resisting the temptation to linger in comfort when there is still a sacred duty to fulfill. We are called to work heartily, as unto the Lord, knowing that our labor in Him is never in vain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or service do you tend to become complacent after initial success, rather than pressing on to full completion?**
* **How does the servant's immediate desire to return challenge your own sense of diligence and accountability in your commitments?**
* **What "master" or ultimate purpose drives your actions, and how eager are you to "report back" on your stewardship?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater sense of urgency and faithfulness in fulfilling the divine assignments God has given you?**

### FAQ
**Why is the servant's immediate departure so emphasized in this narrative, given the cultural importance of hospitality?**

Answer: The emphasis on the servant's prompt departure, despite the customary expectation of extended hospitality in the ancient Near East, serves to powerfully underscore his extraordinary diligence, unwavering faithfulness, and profound sense of responsibility to Abraham. Having successfully completed his critical mission to secure a bride for Isaac, he does not succumb to the natural inclination to linger or become complacent. Instead, his immediate request to "Send me away unto my master" (as seen in [Genesis 24:54](/genesis/24-54 "Genesis 24:54 - The Servant's Urgency")) highlights his singular focus on his duty. This demonstrates that he considered his task incomplete until he had delivered Rebekah to Isaac and personally reported back to Abraham. It is a testament to his integrity and dedication, providing a powerful biblical example of what it means to be a trustworthy and faithful steward, prioritizing the will and business of the one who sent him above personal comfort or social convention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The diligent and faithful service of Abraham's unnamed servant, who, having completed his mission to secure a bride for Isaac, eagerly desired to return to his master, beautifully prefigures the ultimate faithful Servant, Jesus Christ. Sent by His Heavenly Father on the supreme mission of redemption, Christ perfectly accomplished His task through His obedient life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection. Just as the servant's return brought joy and fulfillment to Abraham, so too did Christ's ascension and return to the Father signify the triumphant completion of His redemptive work, as He declared, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Cry on the Cross")" He now sits at the right hand of God, having secured His bride, the Church, through His own sacrificial love (as described in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The servant's eager anticipation of returning to report to Abraham foreshadows Christ's own eager anticipation of His glorious return to gather His Church, demonstrating the ultimate fulfillment of divine mission, perfect faithful stewardship, and the consummation of God's redemptive plan for His people (foretold in passages like [John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises to Return") and [Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Jesus' Promise of Return")).

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 24:56

And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

Genesis 24:59

And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

Genesis 45:24

So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

Ecclesiastes 7:10

Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

Genesis 28:5

And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.

Genesis 28:6

¶ When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

2 Samuel 18:19

¶ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.