And the man wondering at her held his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
21. looked stedfastly his peace ] Lat. contemplabatur eam tacitus. The servant was astonished to find that the sign for which he had prayed had been given in the case of the first girl that had come to draw water; hence his look of eagerness, questioning, and silent thought.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. The man, wondering at her] And he was so lost in wonder and astonishment at her simplicity, innocence, and benevolence, that he permitted this delicate female to draw water for ten camels, without ever attempting to afford her any kind of assistance! I know not which to admire most, the benevolence and condescension of Rebekah, or the cold and apparently stupid indifference of the servant of Abraham. Surely they are both of an uncommon cast.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The man wondered at her, i.e. at the wonderful providence of God, and the eminent answer of his prayer.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the man wondering at her,…. At her affability and courteousness to a stranger; at her humility and condescension to take upon her such a service; at her readiness, diligence, and laboriousness in it; and the quick dispatch she made; and at her expressions and conduct being so exactly agreeable to the token he desired to have; and at the providence of God in bringing him to this place so seasonably; and at the damsel, that she should come just at this time, and every way answer his expectations and desires:
held his peace, to wit; or to know, to think and consider further with himself,
whether, or “if”
the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not; or if not; he was musing and saying within himself, surely God had made his journey prosperous; or if not, how was it that such strange surprising circumstances should occur? or what else must be done by him? or what methods must be taken for the future.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“ The man, wondering at her, stood silent, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not.” , from to be desert, inwardly laid waste, i.e., confused. Others derive it from = to see; but in the Hithpael this verb signifies to look restlessly about, which is not applicable here.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
21. And the man, wondering at her, held his peace. This wondering of Abraham’s servant, shows that he had some doubt in his mind. He is silently inquiring within himself, whether God would render his journey prosperous. Has he, then, no confidence concerning that divine direction, of which he had received the sign or pledge? I answer, that faith is never so absolutely perfect in the saints as to prevent the occurrence of many doubts. There is, therefore, no absurdity in supposing that the servant of Abraham, though committing himself generally to the providence of God, yet wavers, and is agitated, amidst a multiplicity of conflicting thoughts. Again, faith, although it pacifies and calms the minds of the pious, so that they patiently wait for God, still does not exonerate them from all care; because it is necessary that patience itself should be exercised, by anxious expectation, until the Lord fulfill what he has promised. But though this hesitation of Abraham’s servant was not free from fault, inasmuch as it flowed from infirmity of faith; it is vet, on this account, excusable, because he did not turn his eyes in another direction, but only sought from the event a confirmation of his faith, that he might perceive God to be present with him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(21) And the man wondering at her . . . The verb is rare, and the LXX., Syr., and Vulg., followed by Gesenius and Frst, translate, And the man gazed attentively at her, keeping silence, that he might know, &c. The servant, we may well believe, was astonished at the exactness and quickness with which his prayer was being answered, but this is not the point to which the rest of the verse refers; rather, it sets him before us as keenly observing all she said and did, and carefully coming to the conclusion that the comely and generous maiden was the destined bride of the son of his lord.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. Wondering Literally, and the man [stood] gazing at her and keeping silence to know whether Jehovah had prospered his journey or not . He is anxious now to know if this damsel be of Abraham’s kindred, and will go with him to his master . Can it be that his prayer is to be so speedily answered?
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And the man watched her intently, saying nothing, in order to discover whether Yahweh had prospered his journey or not.’
Rebekah was aware of the man watching her intently but knew nothing of what was in his heart. But Abraham’s steward knew a mounting excitement as she carried out her ministrations. This was one of the great moments in his life. Never had he experienced contact with Yahweh in this way. He had made his firm covenant with God and now he was watching it unfold before his eyes.
“Whether Yahweh had prospered his journey or not.” This was no truism. He had made a firm covenant with Yahweh and was concerned to see whether it would be truly fulfilled (see also Gen 24:40; Gen 24:42; Gen 24:56). This phrase is central to the passage. Has the covenant been fulfilled?
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 24:21. To wit whether, &c. This verse must be supposed to refer to the whole action, and expresses, that as soon as Rebekah began to employ herself on his account, Eliezer stood the meanwhile wrapt in wonder and silent attention, to note whether the sign, which he had requested of the Lord, would be fulfilled in her, and whether consequently his journey would be prosperous. The words finely express the situation of a man, who, with astonishment and surprise, considers in silence the objects which strike him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
Ver. 21. Wondering at her. ] At her courtesy; but more at God’s good providence, and so sweet a return of his prayers. The Greek hath it, He considered her, and held his peace.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
wondering: or eagerly watching her.
to wit = to know.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
wondering at: 2Sa 7:18-20, Psa 34:1-6, Psa 107:1, Psa 107:8, Psa 107:15, Psa 107:43, Psa 116:1-7, Luk 2:19, Luk 2:51
to wit: i.e. “to know, ” or “to learn”
the Lord: Gen 24:12, Gen 24:56