Genesis 24:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the servant {H5650} put {H7760} his hand {H3027} under the thigh {H3409} of Abraham {H85} his master {H113}, and sware {H7650} to him concerning {H5921} that {H2088} matter {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The servant put his hand under the thigh of Avraham his master and swore to him concerning the matter.

Berean Standard Bible

So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:9 records a profoundly solemn and culturally significant oath taken by Abraham’s most trusted servant. This pivotal act, involving the placement of the servant's hand under Abraham's thigh, underscores the immense gravity of the mission to secure a wife for Isaac from Abraham's kindred, thereby ensuring the continuation of the divinely promised covenant line and demonstrating the servant's unwavering commitment to his master's will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24:9 is situated at the very beginning of the longest chapter in Genesis, which is entirely devoted to the search for a bride for Isaac. Following the death of Sarah in [Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "The Death and Burial of Sarah"), Abraham, now advanced in years, recognizes the urgent need to secure Isaac's lineage to fulfill God's covenant promises. The preceding verses ([Genesis 24:1-4](/genesis/24-1-4 "Abraham's Charge to His Servant")) detail Abraham's explicit instructions to his chief servant: he must not take a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites among whom they dwell, but rather from Abraham's own country and kindred. This oath, therefore, is the formal, binding commencement of a mission critical to the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan through Abraham's descendants.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of placing a hand under the thigh as an oath-taking ritual is rare, appearing only here and in [Genesis 47:29](/genesis/47-29 "Jacob's Oath with Joseph"). In the ancient Near East, oaths were incredibly serious, often involving divine witnesses and severe consequences for breach. The "thigh" (Hebrew: _yârêkh_) was a euphemism for the generative organs, symbolizing the source of life, lineage, and posterity. By swearing in this manner, the servant was not merely making a verbal promise but binding himself by the very future of Abraham's family, invoking the sanctity of the bloodline. This ritual underscored the absolute trust Abraham placed in his servant and the profound commitment expected of him, reflecting the cultural emphasis on family honor, lineage, and the solemnity of vows.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **preservation of the covenant lineage**, emphasizing Abraham's dedication to ensuring Isaac's marriage aligns with God's promise of a distinct people, as outlined in [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Promises to Abraham"). Secondly, it exemplifies **faithful stewardship and obedience**, as the servant willingly undertakes a challenging and sacred task, demonstrating exemplary loyalty to his master and, implicitly, to God's unfolding plan. Lastly, the solemnity of the oath underscores the **binding nature of divine and human commitments**, setting a precedent for the importance of vows and promises throughout the biblical narrative, from God's covenants with humanity to the laws governing oaths in [the Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "The Ten Commandments").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 24:9 describes a profoundly significant act: "And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter." This seemingly simple action carries immense cultural and theological weight, revealing several layers of meaning.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thigh (Hebrew, _yârêk'_):** (H3409) This term, while literally meaning the fleshy part of the leg, is used euphemistically in biblical contexts to refer to the generative organs, symbolizing the source of life, lineage, and descendants. By placing his hand under Abraham's thigh, the servant was effectively swearing by Abraham's future progeny and the covenant promises tied to that lineage, making the oath deeply personal and irrevocably binding upon his own posterity.
* **Sware (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** (H7650) Derived from a root meaning "to seven oneself," this verb conveys the idea of completeness and solemnity. To "swear" in this context is to make a formal, binding declaration, often invoking a divine witness. The act of swearing by seven implies a full, perfect, and unbreakable commitment, elevating the promise beyond a mere word to a sacred vow that carries spiritual and potentially severe consequences for its violation.
* **Matter (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) This word is remarkably versatile, encompassing "word," "thing," "affair," "business," or "cause." In this context, it refers to the entire weighty commission Abraham has given his servant: the specific task of finding a wife for Isaac from Abraham's own family and not from the Canaanites. The servant's oath covers the entirety of this crucial "matter," signifying his comprehensive and undivided commitment to fulfilling every aspect of his master's directive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master":** This describes the unique and highly symbolic physical action that initiated the oath. The servant, likely Eliezer of Damascus, Abraham's most trusted steward, performs this gesture as a sign of absolute submission and commitment. Placing the hand under the thigh, as discussed in the key word analysis, signifies an oath bound by the very essence of Abraham's lineage and the future of his descendants, emphasizing the gravity and sanctity of the promise.
* **"and sware to him concerning that matter":** This clause confirms the formalization of the oath. The servant's physical act is accompanied by a verbal declaration, making the commitment explicit and undeniable. The "matter" refers to the entire mission of finding a suitable bride for Isaac from Abraham's homeland, a task of immense theological importance for the continuation of the covenant line. The oath binds the servant to this specific, divinely-ordained purpose, ensuring his diligence and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Ritual** and **Symbolism** to convey its profound meaning. The act of placing a hand under the thigh is a specific, ancient ritual, unique in its biblical appearance to Genesis and highlighting the exceptional solemnity of the oath. This ritual embodies powerful **Symbolism**: the "hand" represents power, agency, and commitment, while the "thigh" symbolizes lineage, procreation, and the future of Abraham's seed. The combination of these elements creates a visual and performative representation of an unbreakable vow, binding the servant not merely by his word but by his very being and the future of the covenant line. The gravity of this ritual also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the importance of oaths and covenants throughout biblical history, ultimately pointing to God's own unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly underscores the sanctity of oaths and the binding nature of commitments, reflecting a theological principle that words spoken under oath are not mere utterances but sacred vows made before God. It illustrates the divine expectation of faithfulness in human relationships and responsibilities, particularly when those responsibilities intersect with God's overarching redemptive purposes. While Abraham and his servant act with diligence and human planning, the narrative implicitly highlights God's guiding hand and sovereign providence in orchestrating the fulfillment of His promises, even through the meticulous details of human actions. The emphasis on preserving a distinct, holy lineage through Isaac, avoiding intermarriage with the Canaanites, also foreshadows the later theological importance of Israel's separation and purity as God's chosen people, through whom the Messiah would ultimately come.

* [Hebrews 6:13-18](/hebrews/6-13-18 "God's Oath to Abraham")
* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "The Binding Nature of Vows")
* [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:9 offers enduring lessons for contemporary believers, calling us to a deeper understanding of integrity and commitment. The profound solemnity of the servant's oath serves as a powerful reminder that our word should be our bond, reflecting the faithfulness of God Himself, who is true to His promises. This passage challenges us to consider the gravity with which we make commitments, whether to God, to others, or in our professional and personal lives. Abraham's meticulous approach to securing Isaac's spouse, guided by his understanding of God's covenant and a desire to align with divine will, encourages us to seek God's guidance diligently and prayerfully in all significant life decisions, especially those pertaining to marriage, family, and vocational callings, ensuring they align with biblical principles and God's broader purposes. Furthermore, the servant's unwavering loyalty, diligence, and dedication provide a sterling model for faithful service and stewardship, prompting us to approach our responsibilities with excellence and a recognition of their potential significance within God's overarching plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my promises and commitments, both to God and to others?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to exercise faithful stewardship and obedience, even when the task is challenging?**
* **How does Abraham's concern for Isaac's marriage, rooted in God's covenant, inform my own approach to major life decisions and the pursuit of God's will?**

### FAQ
**Why was placing a hand under the thigh a sign of a solemn oath?**

Answer: Placing a hand under the thigh was an ancient Near Eastern oath-taking ritual, unique in the Bible to [Genesis 24:9](/genesis/24-9 "Abraham's Servant's Oath") and [Genesis 47:29](/genesis/47-29 "Jacob's Oath with Joseph"). While its precise origins are debated, it is widely understood to symbolize a deep connection to lineage, procreation, and the source of life. The "thigh" (Hebrew: _yârêkh_) was a euphemism for the generative organs. By involving this part of the body, the oath-taker was binding himself by his very essence, his descendants, and his future posterity, making the vow incredibly solemn and implying severe consequences, potentially even to one's lineage, if the oath were broken. It likely invoked a divine witness over the covenant made, underscoring its sacred and unbreakable nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 24:9, with its focus on securing a pure lineage for Isaac through a solemn oath, ultimately points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises in Jesus Christ. Abraham's diligent effort to find a suitable bride for his son, essential for the continuation of the promised "seed," foreshadows God's meticulous plan to bring forth the Messiah through a specific, divinely preserved lineage, culminating in Christ, the true "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed of Abraham is Christ")). Furthermore, the faithful servant's successful mission to find a bride for Isaac can be seen as a profound type of the Holy Spirit's work in the new covenant era. Just as the servant was sent by Abraham to secure a bride for Isaac, the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son to gather and prepare the Church, the spiritual "bride" of Christ, from among all peoples and nations ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ Loves the Church as His Bride")). This mission ensures the continuation of God's spiritual lineage, culminating in the joyous "marriage supper of the Lamb" ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), where Christ and His redeemed people are eternally united.

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 24:2

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: