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.
49. deal kindly and truly ] Lit. “do kindness and truth”; cf. Gen 47:29. See note on Gen 24:27.
to the right hand, or to the left ] The servant asks for a prompt reply, so that, if his request is refused, he may consider what course next to pursue. For fanciful Rabbinic interpretations of “the right hand and the left,” cf. Calvin’s note, futilis autem argutia quam adducunt quidam Hebraei quod iturus sit ad Lot vel ad Ismael.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 49. That I may turn to the right hand or to the left] That is, That I may go elsewhere and seek a proper match for the son of my master. Some have imagined that Eliezer intimated by these expressions that if he did not succeed in obtaining Rebekah, he would go and seek for a wife either among the descendants of Ishmael or the descendants of Lot. This interpretation is fanciful.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
If you will show true kindness and real friendship to him in giving your daughter to his son,
tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may look out a wife for him elsewhere. It is a proverbial expression, Num 20:17; 22:26; Deu 2:27.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And now, if you deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me,…. The servant directs himself to more than one, to the whole family, especially to Laban and Bethuel; if you will do my master a kindness, and grant him the favour he requests, that a damsel of this family may be given for a wife to his son; and, if you are hearty and sincere in granting this, tell me at once:
and if not, tell me: if you do not choose to gratify my master, and are not hearty in this matter, let me know:
that I may turn to the right hand or to the left; look out elsewhere among the daughters of some of the other sons of Nahor; for he had seven more which Milcah bare to him besides Bethuel, as well as four others by a concubine, Ge 22:20; though some of the Jewish writers o by “the right hand” understand the daughters of Ishmael, that dwelt to the right, and by “the left [hand]” the daughters of Lot, who were to the left, which is not likely: it seems to be only a proverbial expression, that, if they did not choose to attend to his proposal in his master’s name, he must take some other method, as he might be directed; he knew not for the present which way, whether he should steer his course to the right or left, but some way he must take. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it,
“to the south or to the north;”
because when a man stands with his face to the east, the south is on his right hand, and the north on his left.
o Bereshit Rabba, sect. 60. fol. 53. 1. Jarchi in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“And now if you will deal truly and with kindness with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”
He now asks for their response. Are they favourably disposed, or not? If not he will he will turn aside and leave them.
“Turn to the right hand or to the left.” This indicates that up to this point he has had one purpose in mind, he has looked neither left nor right. Now he has reached the end of his mission. If it is unsuccessful that will be that. There is no way forward and he will therefore no longer pursue it. (For the phrase contrast Num 20:17; Deu 5:32). For the phrase ‘deal kindly and truly’ see Gen 47:29. It is a request for genuine and honest commitment.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 24:49. If ye will deal kindly and truly If you are indeed inclined to oblige my master: if you will freely and honestly give him the virgin. These expressions are often used in Scripture, and are spoken of God towards men, as Gen 24:27 ch. Gen 32:10. 2Sa 2:6, &c. &c. and of men towards each other, Gen 47:29. Jos 2:14. Pro 3:3. Eliezer adds, if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left; a proverbial expression, equivalent to, that I may take some other course: Num 20:17; Num 22:26. Deu 2:27. The metaphor, Le Clerc observes, seems borrowed from travellers, who, when they come to a place where two ways meet, turn to the right or left, according as their course directs them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 24:49 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.
Ver. 49. That I may turn to the right hand, &c., ] i.e., Seek somewhere else: for something I must do, in answer to my trust. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful”. 1Co 4:2
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
now if: Gen 47:29, Jos 2:14
deal kindly and truly: Heb. do mercy and truth, Gen 32:10, Pro 3:3
that I: Num 20:17, Deu 2:27
Reciprocal: 1Sa 20:8 – deal kindly
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
24:49 And now if ye will deal {z} kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the {a} right hand, or to the left.
(z) If you will freely and faithfully give your daughter to my master’s son.
(a) That is, that I may look elsewhere.