Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  Abraham swears his servant.
10  The servant's journey.
12  His prayer.
14  His sign.
15  Rebekah meets him;
18  fulfils his sign;
22  receives jewels;
23  shows her kindred;
25  and invites him home.
26  The servant blesses God.
29  Laban entertains him.
34  The servant shows his message.
50  Laban and Bethuel approve it.
58  Rebekah consents to go, and departs.
62  Isaac meets and marries her.
Verse 1

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
was old
18:11, 21:5, 25:20, 1 Kings 1:1, Luke 1:7
well stricken in age
Heb. gone into days. blessed.
12:2, 13:2, 49:25, Psalms 112:1-3, Proverbs 10:22, Isaiah 51:2, Matthew 6:33, Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Timothy 4:8
Verse 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:
eldest
15:2, 1 Timothy 5:17
ruled
10, 39:4-6,8,9, 44:1
Put
9, 47:29, 1 Chronicles 29:24
Verse 3

And 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:
swear
21:23, 26:28-31, 31:44-53, 50:25, Exodus 20:7, 22:11, 23:13, Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 5:21, Deuteronomy 6:13, 10:20, Joshua 2:12, 1 Samuel 20:17, Nehemiah 13:25, Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 48:1, 65:16, Jeremiah 4:2, 12:16, Zephaniah 1:5, Hebrews 6:16
the
14:22, 2 Kings 19:15, 2 Chronicles 2:12, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalms 115:15, Jeremiah 10:11
that
6:2,4, 26:34,35, 27:46, 28:1,2,8, Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3,4, 1 Corinthians 7:39, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Verse 4

But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
to my kindred
11:25-32, 12:1,7, 22:20-23, 28:2; There does not appear in all this concern the least taint of worldly policy, or any of those motives which usually govern men in the settlement of their children. No mention is made of riches, or honours, or natural accomplishments, but merely of what related to God.--Fuller.
Verse 5

And 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?
Peradventure
58, Exodus 20:7, 9:2, Proverbs 13:16, Jeremiah 4:2
Verse 6

And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
Galatians 5:1, Hebrews 10:39, 11:9,13-16, 2 Peter 2:20-22
Verse 7

The 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.
Lord
Ezra 1:2, Daniel 2:44, Jonah 1:9, Revelation 11:13
took
12:1-7
which spake
13:15, 15:18, 17:8, 22:16-18, 26:3,4,24, Exodus 13:5, 32:13, Numbers 14:16,30, Numbers 32:11, Deuteronomy 1:8, 34:4, Joshua 1:6, Judges 2:1, Acts 7:5, Hebrews 11:9
angel
Exodus 23:20-23, 33:2, Psalms 32:8, 34:7, 73:24, 103:20, Proverbs 3:5,6, Isaiah 63:9, Hebrews 1:14
Verse 8

And 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.
clear
Numbers 30:5,8, Joshua 2:17-20, 9:20, John 8:32
only
4,5,6, Acts 7:2
Verse 9

Genesis 24:2

Verse 10

And 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.
for
or, and. all the.
2, 39:4-6,8,9,22,23
Mesopotamia
Deuteronomy 23:4, Judges 3:8-10, 1 Chronicles 19:6, Acts 2:9
city
11:31, 27:43, 29:1,4,5
Verse 11

And 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.
kneel
33:13,14, Proverbs 12:10
women go out to draw water
Heb. women which draw water go forth.
13-20, Exodus 2:16, 1 Samuel 9:11, John 4:7
Verse 12

And 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.
O Lord
27, 15:1, 17:7,8, 26:24, 28:13, 31:42, 32:9, Exodus 3:6,15, 1 Kings 18:36, 2 Kings 2:14, Matthew 22:32
I pray
27:10, 43:14, Nehemiah 1:11, 2:4, Psalms 37:5, 90:16,17, 118:25, 122:6, 127:1, Proverbs 3:6, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 3:10,11
Verse 13

Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
I stand
43, Psalms 37:5, Proverbs 3:6
daughters
11, 29:9,10, Exodus 2:16, Judges 5:11, 1 Samuel 9:11, John 4:7
Verse 14

And 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.
And let
Judges 6:17,37, 1 Samuel 14:9
she that
44, Proverbs 19:14
thereby
15:8, Exodus 4:1-9, Judges 6:17,37, 7:13-15, 18:5, 1 Samuel 6:7-9, 10:2-10, 1 Samuel 14:8,10, 20:7, 2 Samuel 5:24, 20:9, 2 Kings 20:8-11, Isaiah 7:11, Romans 1:10
Verse 15

And 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.
before
45, Judges 6:36-40, Psalms 34:15, 65:2, 145:18,19, Isaiah 58:9, 65:24, Daniel 9:20-23
Rebekah
24, 22:20-23
Milcah
11:27,29, 22:23
pitcher
21:14, 29:9, Exodus 2:16, Ruth 2:2,17, Proverbs 31:27
Verse 16

And 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.
fair to look upon
Heb. good of countenance.
26:7, 39:6
known
4:1, Numbers 31:17,18, Song of Solomon 5:2
Verse 17

And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
Let
1 Kings 17:10, John 4:7,9
water of
26:1-35, Isaiah 21:14, 30:25, 35:6,7, 41:17,18, 49:10
Verse 18

And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
Proverbs 31:26, 1 Peter 3:8, 4:8,9
Verse 19

And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
14,45,46, 1 Peter 4:9
Verse 21

And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
wondering at
2 Samuel 7:18-20, Psalms 34:1-6, 107:1,8,15,43, 116:1-7, Luke 2:19,51
to wit
i.e., "to know," or "to learn."
the Lord
12,56
Verse 22

And 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;
took
30, Exodus 32:2,3, Esther 5:1, Jeremiah 2:32, 1 Timothy 2:9,10, 1 Peter 3:3,8
earring
or, jewel for the forehead.
Exodus 32:2,3, Isaiah 3:19-23, Ezekiel 16:11,12; From the word being in the singular number, it is not likely to have been an ear-ring, or a "jewel for the forehead," but "a jewel for the nose, a nose-ring," which is in use throughout Arabia and Persia, particularly among young women. It is very properly translated [epirrinon] "an ornament for the nose," by Symmachus; and Sir John Chardin informs us, that "it is a custom in almost all the East, for the women to wear rings in their noses, in the left nostril, which is bored low down in the middle. These rings are of gold, and have commonly two pearls and one ruby between, placed in the ring. I never saw a girl or young woman in Arabia or in all Persia, who did not wear a ring after this manner in her nostril."
of half
23:15,16
bracelets
The word rendered "bracelet," from a root which signifies "to join or couple together," may imply whatever may clasp round the arms and legs; for rings and ornaments are worn round both by females in India and Persia. The small part of the leg, and the whole arm, from the shoulder to the wrist, are generally decorated in this way. As these were given to Rebekah for "her hands," it sufficiently distinguishes them from similar ornaments for the ankles.
Verse 24

And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
15, 11:29, 22:20,23
Verse 25

She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
18:4-8, Judges 19:19-21, Isaiah 32:8, 1 Peter 4:9
Verse 26

And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
48,52, 22:5, Exodus 4:31, 12:27, 34:8, 1 Chronicles 29:20, 2 Chronicles 20:18, 29:30, Nehemiah 8:6, Psalms 22:29, 66:4, 72:9, 95:6, Micah 6:6, Philippians 2:10
Verse 27

And 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.
Blessed
12, 9:26, 14:20, Exodus 18:10, Ruth 4:14, 1 Samuel 25:32,39, 2 Samuel 18:28, 1 Chronicles 29:10-13, Psalms 68:19, 72:18,19, Luke 1:68, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Timothy 1:17
of his
32:10, Psalms 98:3, 100:5, Micah 7:20, John 1:17
the Lord
48, Proverbs 3:6, 4:11-13, 8:20
of my
4, 13:8, Exodus 2:11,13
Verse 28

And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
of
48,55,67, 31:33
her mother's
Some have conjectured from this, that her father Bethuel was dead; and the person called Bethuel, (ver. 50,) was a younger brother. This is possible; but as Dr. A. Clarke remarks, the mother's house might be mentioned were even the father alive; for in Asiatic countries, the women have apartments entirely separate from those of the men, in which their little children and grown-up daughters reside with them. This was probably the case here; though, from the whole narrative, it is very probable that Bethuel was dead, as the whole business appears to be conducted by Rebekah's brothers.
Verse 29

And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
55,60, 29:5
Verse 31

And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
thou
26:29, Judges 17:2, Ruth 3:10, Psalms 115:15, Proverbs 17:8, 18:16
for I
Verse 32

And 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.
he ungirded
i.e., Laban ungirded. straw. Straw, by the eastern mode of threshing, was cut or shattered, and reduced to a kind of chaff. With this, sometimes mixed with a little barley, the eastern people still feed their labouring beasts, as they anciently did.
wash
18:4, 19:2, 43:24, Judges 19:21, 1 Samuel 25:41, Luke 7:44, John 13:4-14, 1 Timothy 5:10
Verse 33

And 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.
Job 23:12, Psalms 132:3-5, Proverbs 22:29, Ecclesiastes 9:10, John 4:14,31-34, Ephesians 6:5-8, 1 Timothy 6:2
Verse 34

Genesis 24:2

Verse 35

And 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.
the Lord
1, 12:2, 13:2, 25:11, 26:12, 49:25, Psalms 18:35, 112:3, Proverbs 10:22, 22:4, 1 Timothy 4:8
flocks
12:16, 13:2, 26:13,14, Job 1:3, 42:10-12, Psalms 107:38, Matthew 6:33
Verse 36

And 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.
Sarah
11:29,30, 17:15-19, 18:10-14, 21:1-7, Romans 4:19
unto
21:10, 25:5
Verse 37

And 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:
And my
2-9, 6:2, 27:46, Ezra 9:1-3
Canaanites
The Canaanites were infected with gross idolatry; and consequently, not proper persons with whom to form so intimate a connection; especially as Jehovah had shown Abraham that they were filling up the measure of their iniquity, and were doomed to destruction.
Verse 38

But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
But
4, 12:1
my father's
i.e., Where the family of Haran his brother had settled; and where he himself had remained some time with his father Terah. Nahor did not dwell at Ur of the Chaldees, but at Haran in Mesopotamia. The true worship of God seems to have been in some measure preserved in this family, though afterwards corrupted.
31:19
Verse 39

And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
Peradventure
We may see, says Calmet, by this and other passages of Scripture, (Jos 9:18,) what the sentiments of the ancients were relative to an oath. They believed that they were bound precisely by what was spoken, and had no liberty to interpret the intentions of those by whom the oath was made.
Verse 40

And 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:
And he
before
5:22,24, 6:9, 17:1, 48:15, 1 Kings 2:3, 8:23, 2 Kings 20:3, Psalms 16:8
will
7, Exodus 23:20, 33:2, Psalms 1:3, 91:11, Daniel 3:28, Hebrews 1:14, Revelation 22:8,16
Verse 41

Then 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.
8, Deuteronomy 29:12
Verse 42

And 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:
O Lord
12-14, Acts 10:7,8,22
prosper
12,31, 39:3, Ezra 8:21, Nehemiah 1:11, Psalms 37:5, 90:17, Romans 1:10
Verse 43

Behold, 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;
13,14
Verse 44

And 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.
Both
Isaiah 32:8, 1 Timothy 2:10, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 3:8
the woman
14, 2:22, Proverbs 16:33, 18:22, 19:14
appointed
Those events, which appear to us the effect of choice, contrivance, or chance, are matters of appointment with God; and the persuasion of this does not prevent, but rather encourage, the use of all proper means; at the same time that it confines us to proper means, and delivers the mind from useless anxiety about consequences.
Verse 45

And 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.
before
15-20, Isaiah 58:9, 65:24, Daniel 9:19,23, Acts 4:24-33, 10:30, 12:12-17, Matthew 7:7
speaking
1 Samuel 1:13-15, 2 Samuel 7:27, Nehemiah 2:4, Romans 8:26
Verse 47

And 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.
I put
22,53, Psalms 45:9,13,14, Isaiah 62:3-5, Ezekiel 16:10-13, Ephesians 5:26,27
Verse 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.
bowed
26,27,52
led me
27, 22:23, Exodus 18:20, Ezra 8:21, Psalms 32:8, 48:14, 107:7, Proverbs 3:5,6, 4:11, Isaiah 48:17
Verse 49

And 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.
now if
47:29, Joshua 2:14
deal kindly and truly
Heb. do mercy and truth.
32:10, Proverbs 3:3
that I
Numbers 20:17, Deuteronomy 2:27
Verse 50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
Laban
These seem both to be brothers, of whom Laban was the eldest and chief: the opinion of Josephus appears to be very correct, that Bethuel, the father, had been dead some time.
15,28,53,55,60
The thing
Psalms 118:23, Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:11
we
31:24,29, 2 Samuel 13:22, Acts 11:17
Verse 51

Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
Rebekah
20:15
hath
15, 2 Samuel 16:10
Verse 52

And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
worshipped
26,48, 1 Chronicles 29:20, 2 Chronicles 20:18, Psalms 34:1,2, 95:6, 107:21,22, 116:1,2, Matthew 2:11, Acts 10:25,26
Verse 53

And 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.
jewels
Heb. vessels. The original word denotes vessels, utensils, instruments, furniture, or dress; and these presented by Abraham's servant might have been of various kinds.
Exodus 3:22, 11:2, 12:35
brother
No mention is made of her father.
precious
This term, rendered "precious things," as may be seen in the parallel texts, is used to express exquisite fruits or delicacies, and precious plants or flowers: but here it may mean gifts in general, though rather of an inferior kind to those mentioned above.
Deuteronomy 33:13-16, 2 Chronicles 21:3, Ezra 1:6, Song of Solomon 4:13, Isaiah 39:2
Verse 54

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.
Send me
56,59, 28:5,6, 45:24, 2 Samuel 18:19,27,28, Proverbs 22:29, Ecclesiastes 7:10, Luke 8:38,39
Verse 55

And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
a few days
or, a full year, or ten months.
4:3, Leviticus 25:29, Judges 14:8
Verse 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.
Hinder
45:9-13, Proverbs 25:25
prospered
Joshua 1:8, Isaiah 48:15
Verse 58

And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
Psalms 45:10,11, Luke 1:38
Verse 59

And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
their
50,53,60
nurse
35:8, Numbers 11:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:5
Verse 60

And 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.
they
1:28, 9:1, 14:19, 17:16, 28:3, 48:15,16,20, Ruth 4:11,12
be thou the mother
Or, "be thou for thousands of myriads;" a large family being always considered, in ancient times, as a proof of the peculiar blessing and favour of God.
thousands
Daniel 7:10
thy seed
22:17, Leviticus 25:46, Deuteronomy 21:19
Verse 61

And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
they rode
Genesis 31:34, 1 Samuel 30:17, Esther 8:10,14
followed
2:24, Psalms 45:10
Verse 62

And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
Lahai-roi
Genesis 16:14, 25:11
south
12:9
Verse 63

And 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.
to meditate
or, to pray. They who acknowledge God in all their ways, will find him present to direct their paths, and make their way prosperous; and when the prayer of faith meets with an immediate answer, the glory ought as speedily to be rendered to God in solemn praise and thanksgiving.
Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, 77:11,12, 104:34, 119:15, 139:17,18, 143:5,6
Verse 64

And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
lighted
Joshua 15:18, Judges 1:14
Verse 65

For 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.
a vail
20:16, 1 Corinthians 11:5,6,10, 1 Timothy 2:9
Verse 66

And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
Mark 6:30
Verse 67

And 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.
his mother
18:6,9,10, Song of Solomon 8:2, Isaiah 54:1-5
Sarah's tent
Sarah, being dead, her tent, which, according to the custom of the east, was distinct from that of Abraham, became now appropriated to the use of Rebekah.
and took
2:22-24, 2 Corinthians 11:1,2, Ephesians 5:22-33
comforted
37:35, 38:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13,15

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