Genesis Chapter 24

A Wife for Isaac

1And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2And 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: 3And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. 5And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

10And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 11And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 12And 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. 13Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

Rebekah is Chosen

15And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 17And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 18And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 20And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

22And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; 23And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? 24And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. 25She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. 27And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

28And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things. 29And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. 30And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. 31And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. 32And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. 33And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. 34And he said, I am Abraham's servant. 35And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. 37And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: 38But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. 39And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. 40And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house: 41Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.

42And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: 43Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; 44And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.

45And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. 46And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. 47And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48And 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. 49And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. 51Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

52And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 53And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. 54And 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. 55And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. 56And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. 57And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. 58And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. 59And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

60And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

61And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Isaac Marries Rebekah

62And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 65For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. 66And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

A Wife for Isaac

1 Abraham was old, and well stricken in age. Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh. 3 I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live. 4 But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “What if the woman isn’t willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?” 6 Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again. 7 Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your seed.’ He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath. Only you shall not bring my son there again.” 9 The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

10 The servant took ten camels, of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12 He said, “Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ and she will say, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

Rebekah Is Chosen

15 It happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin, neither had any man known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him drink. 19 When she had done giving him drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have done drinking.” 20 She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. 21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.

22 It happened, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge in?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.” 26 The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh. 27 He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me in the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”

28 The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words. 29 Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. 30 It happened, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” that he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, you blessed of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.” 32 The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” He said, “Speak on.” 34 He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 Yahweh has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36 Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’ 40 He said to me, ‘Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son of my relatives, and of my father’s house. 41 Then will you be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’

42 I came this day to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go— 43 behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44 and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom Yahweh has appointed for my master’s son.’

45 Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink. 47 I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands. 48 I bowed my head, and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son. 49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Yahweh has spoken.”

52 It happened that when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Yahweh. 53 The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother. 54 They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.” 56 He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.” 58 They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.

60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your seed possess the gate of those who hate them.”

61 Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Isaac Marries Rebekah

62 Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he lived in the land of the South. 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming. 64 Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel. 65 She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself. 66 The servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

A Wife for Isaac

1 By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, 4 but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”

5 The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”

6 Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there. 7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there. 8 And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”

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

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim. a 11 As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water.

12 “O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

Rebekah Is Chosen

15 Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. 16 Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.

17 So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.”

18 “Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.” 20 And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels.

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

22 And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, b and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels. c 23 “Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”

24 She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.” 25 Then she added, “We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.”

26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, 27 saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

28 The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.

31 “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions.

33 Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.”

So Laban said, “Please speak.”

34 “I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. 35 “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. 36 My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns.

37 My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’

39 Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’

40 And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. 41 And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’

42 So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! 43 Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’ 44 and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.

45 And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

46 She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’

She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.

49 Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. 51 Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”

52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother. 54 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.”

55 But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”

56 But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”

57 So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.”

58 They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

“I will go,” she replied.

59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,

“Our sister, may you become the mother

of thousands upon thousands.

May your offspring possess

the gates of their enemies.”

61 Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

Isaac Marries Rebekah

62 Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching.

64 And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”

“It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done.

67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

Footnotes:

10 a That is, Mesopotamia; Aram-naharaim  means Aram of the two rivers , likely the region between the Euphrates and Balih Rivers in northwestern Mesopotamia.
22 b A beka  is half a shekel, or approximately 0.2 ounces or 5.7 grams.
22 c 10 shekels  is approximately 4 ounces or 114 grams.

A Wife for Isaac

1And Abraham is old, he hath entered into days, and Jehovah hath blessed Abraham in all things; 2and Abraham saith unto his servant, the eldest of his house, who is ruling over all that he hath, 'Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, 3and I cause thee to swear by Jehovah, God of the heavens, and God of the earth, that thou dost not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, in the midst of whom I am dwelling; 4but unto my land and unto my kindred dost thou go, and hast taken a wife for my son, for Isaac.' 5And the servant saith unto him, 'It may be the woman is not willing to come after me unto this land; do I at all cause thy son to turn back unto the land from whence thou camest out?' 6And Abraham saith unto him, 'Take heed to thyself, lest thou cause my son to turn back thither; 7Jehovah, God of the heavens, who hath taken me from the house of my father, and from the land of my birth, and who hath spoken to me, and who hath sworn to me, saying, To thy seed I give this land, He doth send His messenger before thee, and thou hast taken a wife for my son from thence; 8and if the woman be not willing to come after thee, then thou hast been acquitted from this mine oath: only my son thou dost not cause to turn back thither.' 9And the servant putteth his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and sweareth to him concerning this matter.

10And the servant taketh ten camels of the camels of his lord and goeth, also of all the goods of his lord in his hand, and he riseth, and goeth unto Aram-Naharaim, unto the city of Nahor; 11and he causeth the camels to kneel at the outside of the city, at the well of water, at even-time, at the time of the coming out of the women who draw water. 12And he saith, 'Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, cause to meet, I pray Thee, before me this day -- (and do kindness with my lord Abraham; 13lo, I am standing by the fountain of water, and daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; 14and it hath been, the young person unto whom I say, Incline, I pray thee, thy pitcher, and I drink, and she hath said, Drink, and I water also thy camels) -- her Thou hast decided for Thy servant, for Isaac; and by it I know that Thou hast done kindness with my lord.'

Rebekah is Chosen

15And it cometh to pass, before he hath finished speaking, that lo, Rebekah (who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham) is coming out, and her pitcher on her shoulder, 16and the young person is of very good appearance, a virgin, and a man hath not known her; and she goeth down to the fountain, and filleth her pitcher, and cometh up. 17And the servant runneth to meet her, and saith, 'Let me swallow, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher;' 18and she saith, 'Drink, my lord;' and she hasteth, and letteth down her pitcher upon her hand, and giveth him drink. 19And she finisheth giving him drink, and saith, 'Also for thy camels I draw till they have finished drinking;' 20and she hasteth, and emptieth her pitcher into the drinking-trough, and runneth again unto the well to draw, and draweth for all his camels. 21And the man, wondering at her, remaineth silent, to know whether Jehovah hath made his way prosperous or not.

22And it cometh to pass when the camels have finished drinking, that the man taketh a golden ring (whose weight is a bekah), and two bracelets for her hands (whose weight is ten bekahs of gold), 23and saith, 'Whose daughter art thou? declare to me, I pray thee, is the house of thy father a place for us to lodge in?' 24And she saith unto him, 'I am daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she hath borne to Nahor.' 25She saith also unto him, 'Both straw and provender are abundant with us, also a place to lodge in.' 26And the man boweth, and doth obeisance to Jehovah, 27and saith, 'Blessed is Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath not left off His kindness and His truth with my lord; -- I being in the way, Jehovah hath led me to the house of my lord's brethren.'

28And the young person runneth, and declareth to the house of her mother according to these words. 29And Rebekah hath a brother, and his name is Laban, and Laban runneth unto the man who is without, unto the fountain; 30yea, it cometh to pass, when he seeth the ring, and the bracelets on the hands of his sister, and when he heareth the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, 'Thus hath the man spoken unto me,' that he cometh in unto the man, and lo, he is standing by the camels by the fountain. 31And he saith, 'Come in, O blessed one of Jehovah, why standest thou without, and I -- I have prepared the house and place for the camels!' 32And he bringeth in the man into the house, and looseth the camels, and giveth straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the feet of the men who are with him: 33and setteth before him to eat; but he saith, 'I do not eat till I have spoken my word;' and he saith, 'Speak.' 34And he saith, 'I am Abraham's servant; 35and Jehovah hath blessed my lord exceedingly, and he is great; and He giveth to him flock, and herd, and silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and asses; 36and Sarah, my lord's wife, beareth a son to my lord, after she hath been aged, and he giveth to him all that he hath. 37'And my lord causeth me to swear, saying, Thou dost not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, in whose land I am dwelling. 38If not -- unto the house of my father thou dost go, and unto my family, and thou hast taken a wife for my son. 39'And I say unto my lord, It may be the woman doth not come after me; 40and he saith unto me, Jehovah, before whom I have walked habitually, doth send His messenger with thee, and hath prospered thy way, and thou hast taken a wife for my son from my family, and from the house of my father; 41then art thou acquitted from my oath, when thou comest unto my family, and if they give not one to thee; then thou hast been acquitted from my oath.

42'And I come to-day unto the fountain, and I say, Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, if Thou art, I pray Thee, making prosperous my way in which I am going -- 43(lo, I am standing by the fountain of water), then the virgin who is coming out to draw, and I have said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher, 44and she hath said unto me, Both drink thou, and also for thy camels I draw -- she is the woman whom Jehovah hath decided for my lord's son.

45'Before I finish speaking unto my heart, then lo, Rebekah is coming out, and her pitcher on her shoulder, and she goeth down to the fountain, and draweth; and I say unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee, 46and she hasteth and letteth down her pitcher from off her and saith, Drink, and thy camels also I water; and I drink, and the camels also she hath watered. 47And I ask her, and say, Whose daughter art thou? and she saith, Daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, whom Milcah hath borne to him, and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands, 48and I bow, and do obeisance before Jehovah, and I bless Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath led me in the true way to receive the daughter of my lord's brother for his son. 49'And now, if ye are dealing kindly and truly with my lord, declare to me; and if not, declare to me; and I turn unto the right or unto the left.'

50And Laban answereth -- Bethuel also -- and they say, 'The thing hath gone out from Jehovah; we are not able to speak unto thee bad or good; 51lo, Rebekah is before thee, take and go, and she is a wife to thy lord's son, as Jehovah hath spoken.'

52And it cometh to pass, when the servant of Abraham hath heard their words, that he boweth himself towards the earth before Jehovah; 53and the servant taketh out vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and giveth to Rebekah; precious things also he hath given to her brother and to her mother. 54And they eat and drink, he and the men who are with him, and lodge all night; and they rise in the morning, and he saith, 'Send me to my lord;' 55and her brother saith -- her mother also -- 'Let the young person abide with us a week or ten days, afterwards doth she go.' 56And he saith unto them, 'Do not delay me, seeing Jehovah hath prospered my way; send me away, and I go to my lord;' 57and they say, 'Let us call for the young person, and ask at her mouth;' 58and they call for Rebekah, and say unto her, 'Dost thou go with this man?' and she saith, 'I go.' 59And they send away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men;

60and they bless Rebekah, and say to her, 'Thou art our sister; become thou thousands of myriads, and thy seed doth possess the gate of those hating it.'

61And Rebekah and her young women arise, and ride on the camels, and go after the man; and the servant taketh Rebekah and goeth.

Isaac Marries Rebekah

62And Isaac hath come in from the entrance of the Well of the Living One, my Beholder; and he is dwelling in the land of the south, 63and Isaac goeth out to meditate in the field, at the turning of the evening, and he lifteth up his eyes, and looketh, and lo, camels are coming. 64And Rebekah lifteth up her eyes, and seeth Isaac, and alighteth from off the camel; 65and she saith unto the servant, 'Who is this man who is walking in the field to meet us?' and the servant saith, 'It is my lord;' and she taketh the veil, and covereth herself. 66And the servant recounteth to Isaac all the things that he hath done, 67and Isaac bringeth her in unto the tent of Sarah his mother, and he taketh Rebekah, and she becometh his wife, and he loveth her, and Isaac is comforted after the death of his mother.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Genesis 24?

1.1Introduction to Genesis 24

1.2Context of Genesis 24

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Genesis 24 Unique Insights

1.6Genesis 24 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Genesis 24 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Genesis 24 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Genesis 24?

Introduction to Genesis 24

Genesis 24 presents one of the most beautiful and detailed marriage narratives in Scripture, recounting how Abraham’s servant found a wife for Isaac. This chapter serves as a masterclass in divine providence, faithful service, and the establishment of godly marriage. The story showcases how יהוה (Yahweh) guides those who trust in Him, weaving together human agency and divine sovereignty in the continuation of the covenant line through which the Messiah would eventually come.

The chapter stands as the longest in the book of Genesis devoted to a single scene, signifying its tremendous importance in the biblical narrative. Every detail is preserved with purpose, offering rich insights into ancient Near Eastern customs, the character of God, and the nature of faith-filled living.

Context of Genesis 24

This chapter is strategically positioned between Sarah’s death (Genesis 23) and Abraham’s passing (Genesis 25), representing a critical transition in the covenant narrative. Abraham, now advanced in years, takes responsibility for ensuring the covenant line continues through his son Isaac by seeking a suitable wife from his homeland rather than from among the Canaanites.

The immediate context reveals Abraham’s concern to maintain the purity of the covenant line while trusting in God’s providence. This mirrors God’s earlier promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:4-5 that his heir would come from his own body. The larger biblical context shows this as a crucial link in the genealogical chain leading to the Messiah, demonstrating God’s faithful guidance in preserving and directing His covenant promises.

This narrative also serves as a bridge between generations, showing how God’s promises to Abraham would continue through Isaac. The careful selection of Rebekah ensures the covenant family’s separation from Canaanite influence while maintaining connections with their ancestral faith heritage.

Ancient Key Word Study

Servant (עֶבֶד, ebed): More than just a slave, this term describes Abraham’s most trusted household manager, possibly Eliezer mentioned in Genesis 15:2. The word carries connotations of honor, responsibility, and faithful stewardship.
Oath (שָׁבַע, shaba): The root word literally means “to seven oneself,” reflecting the ancient practice of making seven pledges or walking past seven sacrifices when making a binding covenant. Here it emphasizes the solemnity of the servant’s mission.
Lovingkindness (חֶסֶד, chesed): This rich Hebrew term appears multiple times in the chapter, describing God’s faithful covenant love. It encompasses loyalty, mercy, and steadfast commitment beyond mere contractual obligation.
Spring (עַיִן, ayin): Literally meaning “eye,” this word for water source suggests a place of testing and divine revelation in biblical narrative. Wells and springs often serve as meeting places where God’s providence becomes evident.
Camels (גְּמַלִּים, gemallim): These animals represent significant wealth and the ability to traverse long distances. Their presence in the narrative indicates Abraham’s prosperity and the substantial dowry being offered.
Bow down (קָדַד, qadad): The servant’s repeated acts of worship demonstrate recognition of divine providence. This term specifically describes prostration in gratitude and reverence.
Beautiful (טוֹבַת, tobat): Used to describe Rebekah’s appearance, this word connects to Genesis 1’s repeated “good,” suggesting not just physical beauty but moral excellence and fitness for purpose.
Virgin (בְּתוּלָה, betulah): This specific term emphasizes both physical and moral purity, crucial for the covenant line’s continuation.
Blessing (בְּרָכָה, berakah): A key covenant term throughout Genesis, here showing divine favor’s practical manifestation in successful mission completion.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 2’s placement of the hand under the thigh (יָרֵךְ, yarek) rather than a simple handshake reflects an ancient near eastern custom connecting to progeny and covenant continuation. The euphemistic reference to procreative power emphasizes the mission’s connection to covenant succession.
Verse 10’s specific mention of “ten camels” versus an unspecified number serves multiple purposes: demonstrating Abraham’s wealth, providing adequate transport for a bride and her attendants, and symbolically representing completion and adequacy in biblical numerology.
Verse 12’s prayer at the well uses “הַקְרֵה” (haqreh, “please cause to happen”) rather than a simple request, suggesting active divine providence rather than mere chance. This grammatical choice emphasizes divine sovereignty in seemingly coincidental events.
Verse 16’s triple description of Rebekah (virgin, beautiful, unmarried) uses specific Hebrew terms that could have been simplified but were chosen to emphasize her complete suitability for the covenant line.
Verse 22’s precise weights of gold jewelry (בֶּקַע, beqa for the nose ring; עֲשָׂרָה, asarah for the bracelets) carry symbolic significance relating to bride price and covenant worth.
Verse 27’s repeated use of חֶסֶד (chesed) rather than simpler terms for kindness emphasizes the covenant nature of God’s guidance.
Verse 50’s response by Laban and Bethuel uses “יָצָא הַדָּבָר” (yatza hadavar, “the matter comes from יהוה”) rather than simple agreement, acknowledging divine orchestration.

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Genesis 24 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning beyond its historical narrative. Ancient Jewish commentary notes that the servant’s prayer at the well established the principle of “קְפִיצַת הַדֶּרֶךְ” (kefitzat haderech), or “jumping of the way,” suggesting supernatural assistance in the journey. The Midrash notes that the servant arrived the same day he departed, indicating divine intervention in time and space.

The repeated motif of water drawing connects this narrative to other biblical accounts of meeting future spouses at wells, including Jacob and Rachel, Moses and Zipporah. This pattern suggests divine appointment in marriage partners and the symbolic significance of wells as places of covenant making.

Rabbinic tradition identifies the servant as Eliezer of Damascus, whose name means “God is my help,” seeing prophetic significance in how God helped fulfill the covenant through a servant whose very name proclaimed divine assistance. The early church fathers, particularly Origen, saw in this narrative a typological representation of Christ (the Father’s servant) seeking His bride (the Church) from among the Gentiles.

The specific quantities of gold jewelry given to Rebekah (a half-shekel nose ring and ten shekels of bracelets) parallel the half-shekel temple tax and the Ten Commandments, suggesting early rabbinic understanding of this marriage’s role in establishing the covenant people.

The servant’s retelling of events to Rebekah’s family contains subtle variations from the original narrative, highlighting the importance of divine providence in human affairs and demonstrating how the same events can be viewed from both divine and human perspectives without contradiction.

Genesis 24 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter prefigures the Messiah’s seeking of His bride in several ways. Just as Abraham sent his trusted servant to seek a bride for his beloved son, God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to prepare the bride of Christ. The servant’s namelessness in the narrative allows him to fully represent his master’s interests, much as the Holy Spirit glorifies not Himself but the Son (John 16:14).

The gifts given to Rebekah parallel the spiritual gifts given to the Church, Christ’s bride. The servant’s testimony about his master’s son and wealth reflects the Spirit’s witness concerning Christ (John 15:26). Just as Rebekah had to make a decision to leave her family and go to an unseen bridegroom, so the Church responds to Christ’s call by faith before seeing Him face to face.

The journey of Rebekah to Isaac mirrors the Church’s earthly pilgrimage toward final union with Christ. Isaac’s first sight of his bride coming across the field evokes the anticipation of Christ’s return for His Church (Revelation 19:7-9).

Genesis 24 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates throughout Scripture in multiple ways. The well scene establishes a pattern repeated in Exodus 2:15-21 with Moses and Zipporah, and in John 4:7-26 with Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Each encounter involves divine appointment, water, and a significant spiritual transition.

The servant’s prayerful dependence on God’s guidance foreshadows similar moments of divine direction in Scripture, such as Gideon’s fleece (Judges 6:36-40) and the apostles’ selection of Matthias (Acts 1:24-26).

The theme of suitable marriage partners connects to Paul’s teaching about believers not being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14), while the bride’s willing journey to her unseen bridegroom parallels the Church’s faith response to Christ (1 Peter 1:8).

Genesis 24 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to trust God’s providential guidance in our lives. Like Abraham’s servant, we’re called to pray specifically while remaining open to God’s direction. The servant’s immediate worship upon seeing God’s answer encourages us to maintain grateful hearts that recognize divine intervention in our daily lives.

The narrative teaches us about godly character through Rebekah’s generous spirit and willingness to serve beyond what was asked. Her immediate response to water ten thirsty camels – a task requiring drawing hundreds of gallons – demonstrates the kind of servant heart that God honors.

For those seeking direction in life decisions, this chapter provides a model of combining prayer, wisdom, and attentiveness to God’s leading. It shows how God often works through ordinary circumstances while orchestrating extraordinary outcomes.

Did You Know

The water needed to satisfy ten camels after a long journey would have amounted to approximately 140 gallons, requiring Rebekah to make dozens of trips to the well.
The nose ring given to Rebekah weighed exactly half a shekel, the same weight as the future Temple tax, suggesting prophetic significance in the gifts.
Ancient Near Eastern marriage customs typically involved a two-stage process: betrothal (legally binding) and full marriage, reflecting the pattern later seen in Joseph and Mary’s relationship.
The servant’s arrival at “evening time” coincides with the time of the evening sacrifice, suggesting spiritual significance in the timing of divine appointments.
Rebekah’s family’s blessing in verse 60 closely parallels God’s promise to Abraham about his descendants possessing the gates of their enemies.
The Hebrew text uses the word “love” (אָהַב, ahav) for the first time in describing a husband’s feelings for his wife in this chapter.
The chapter contains one of the longest prayers recorded in Genesis, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine guidance in life decisions.
Isaac is seen “meditating” (לָשׂוּחַ, lasuach) in the field – a word that appears only here in the Bible and is traditionally understood as referring to prayer.
Rebekah’s veiling herself upon seeing Isaac becomes the basis for various Jewish wedding customs.
The servant retells his story four times in the chapter, each time with subtle variations that rabbinic tradition sees as containing different spiritual lessons.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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