And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshiped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth.
52. bowed himself down ] Cf. Gen 24:26 ; Gen 24:48. The servant renders thanks to Jehovah before proceeding to ratify the betrothal.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And it came to pass, that when Abraham’s servant heard these words,…. That Laban and Bethuel said; and no doubt but the mother of Rebekah, and she herself consented that she should be the wife of Isaac, believing it was agreeable to the will of God:
he worshipped the Lord, [bowing himself] to the earth; in the most humble manner he prostrated himself before the Lord, acknowledging his kindness, and goodness, his faithfulness and truth, his power and his providence in this affair.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
After receiving their assent, the servant first of all offered thanks to Jehovah with the deepest reverence; he then gave the remaining presents to the bride, and to her relations (brother and mother); and after everything was finished, partook of the food provided.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
52. He worshipped. Moses again repeats that Abraham’s servant gave thanks to God; and it is not without reason that he so often inculcates this religious duty; because, since God requires nothing greater from us, the neglect of it betrays the most shameful indolence. The acknowledgment of God’s kindness is a sacrifice of sweet-smelling savor; yea, it is a more acceptable service than all sacrifices. God is continually heaping innumerable benefits upon men. Their ingratitude, therefore, is intolerable, if they fail to exercise themselves in celebrating those benefits.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
‘And it happened that when Abraham’s servant heard their words he bowed himself to the earth to Yahweh. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver and jewels of gold and clothes and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.’
When the steward receives this response he can only offer his gratitude to Yahweh. Rebekah is then loaded with presents which will befit her as a wife to Isaac.
The giving of ‘brothership gifts’ in such circumstances is known also from documents at Nuzi. It would seem that a brother was to be compensated for the loss of a sister. But here it is probably rather as the head of the family that Laban receives gifts on behalf of his father. The non-mention of Bethuel confirms the background position he has in the account.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 24:52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth.
Ver. 52. He worshipped. ] See Trapp on “ Gen 24:48 “
Bowing himself to the earth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 24:52-61
52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the LORD. 53The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 54Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55But her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.” 56He said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57And they said, “We will call the girl and consult her wishes.” 58Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” 59Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men. 60They blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“May you, our sister,
Become thousands of ten thousands,
And may your descendants possess
The gate of those who hate them.”
61Then Rebekah arose with her maids, and they mounted the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.
Gen 24:52 “he bowed himself to the ground before the LORD” This is the third time that this servant has prayed in public, expressing his faith and thanksgiving to the Lord. This is truly a wonderful biblical character.
Gen 24:53 In the ancient world wealth was accumulated by having
1. weights of precious metals
2. jewels
3. expensive clothing
4. food stuffs
5. land
6. livestock
Notice the servant brings several of these items, which could be transported easily.
1. articles of silver
2. articles of gold
3. garments
4. precious things
Abraham was a wealthy man. To have a family member become part of his family (i.e., Isaac’s wife) was a great honor.
Gen 24:54 Knowing the importance that was placed on a meal to conclude an agreement or establish a friendship bond, this meal may have been more than just a celebration.
Gen 24:55 “a few days, say ten” The Samaritan Pentateuch has “a month.”
Gen 24:56 The servant wants to leave immediately. He wants to fulfill his assignment as soon as possible.
1. “send me away to my master,” Gen 24:54, BDB 1018, KB 1511, Piel IMPERATIVE
2. “do not delay me,” Gen 24:56, BDB 29, KB 34, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
3. “send me away,” same as #1
4. “that I may go to my master,” BDB 229, KB 246, Qal COHORTATIVE
Gen 24:58 “Then they called Rebekah and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ and she said, ‘I will go'” We learn from the Nuzi Tablets that the permission of the girl was required. “I will go” is a Qal COHORTATIVE (BDB 981, KB 1371).
Gen 24:59 “her nurse” We learn from Gen 35:8 that her name was “Deborah” and she lived a long time and served Rebekah. The term “nurse” (BDB 413, KB 416, Hiphil PARTICIPLE) is from the VERB “to suck” (BDB 413), this could be literal or a metaphor for a personal helper. From Gen 24:61 we learn there were other servants.
Gen 24:60 This farewell poem is very similar to the words of God which are recorded in Gen 22:17. They request God on her behalf for many descendants and military victories.
Gen 24:61 The camels were primarily used to carry the dowry and gifts for Rebekah, and on the way home to carry Rebekah, her servants, and their belongings.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
worshipped: Gen 24:26, Gen 24:48, 1Ch 29:20, 2Ch 20:18, Psa 34:1, Psa 34:2, Psa 95:6, Psa 107:21, Psa 107:22, Psa 116:1, Psa 116:2, Mat 2:11, Act 10:25, Act 10:26
Reciprocal: 1Sa 1:28 – he worshipped 1Ki 18:42 – he cast himself Mar 15:19 – and bowing Act 10:7 – two
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 24:52. He worshipped the Lord As his good success went on, he went on to bless God. Those that pray without ceasing, should in every thing give thanks, and own God in every step of mercy.