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.
32. the man ] i.e. Abraham’s servant; he ungirded his own camels, and Laban gave them straw and fodder. The camel is a most valuable possession, but a delicate animal, needing care and attention.
he gave straw ] i.e. Laban.
water ] Cf. Gen 18:4.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gen 24:32-49
Led me in the right way to take my masters brothers daughter unto his son
The marriage treaty
I.
ITS RELIGIOUS ELEMENT.
1. The sense of instant duty.
2. A recognition of Gods gracious dealings.
3. A solemn sense of responsibility.
(1) To man.
(2) To God.
II. ITS ECONOMIC ELEMENT. The steward gives an account of Abrahams wealth and position (Gen 24:35). He knew that the parents of this well-bred damsel would never consent to give their daughter to a man of mean circumstances and living one hundred miles away, nor to one of ignoble or degraded family. He takes care, therefore, to state that his master is rich, and that the bride would have a suitable home and congenial society. Still, with that pious feeling which marked him hitherto, he takes equal care to note that the riches of his master were righteously gotten. The Lord hath blessed my master greatly (Gen 24:35). He also gave suitable presents (Gen 24:47). He treats her as one who is to enter such a distinguished family. In all this transaction the religious and the economic elements are mixed in due proportion. The men who most believed in the supernatural, and who had most abundant witness of it, were the men who used the most care in the employment of common prudence and skill. This man does not blindly rely upon miracles alone, but uses human means and proprieties to their proper extent and trusts for the blessing of God. (T H. Leale.)
Divine guidance
I. DIVINE GUIDANCE. Gods gracious way of saving sinners is a right way.
II. THE IMMUTABLE CHARACTER OF THE GUIDE.
III. THE DEVOTION OF THE GUIDED MAN. (J. Irons.)
Lessons
1. Fidelity makes servants own and honour their masters in performing their trust, especially in the Church (Gen 24:34).
2. Pious souls know and acknowledge God to be the only author of the prosperity of His servants.
3. Prosperity of believers is Gods blessing. This maketh rich and adds no sorrow (Pro 10:22).
4. God is not strained towards His in outward things, when they are good for them.
5. Greatness of estate and honour sometimes God uniteth unto godliness. So it was here with Abraham (Gen 24:35).
6. Gods miracles should be related when they make to His praise, and His peoples good. So doth he.
7. The heir of promise may be the heir of all things here below. So Isaac. So eminently Christ was.
8. It is but rational in seeking marriage to declare the state in measure which God hath given (Gen 24:36). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 32. Provender for the camels] These were the first objects of his care; for a good man is merciful to his beast.
Water to wash his feet] Thus it thus appears that he had servants with him; and as the fatigues of the journey must have fallen as heavily upon them as upon himself, so we find no distinction made, but water is provided to wash their feet also.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Of which custom, see Gen 18:4.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
32-49. the man came into the house,&c.What a beautiful picture of piety, fidelity, anddisinterestedness in a servant! He declined all attention to his owncomforts till he had told his name and his errand.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the man came into the house,…. Upon the pressing instance made unto him; for so it may be rendered, “wherefore the man came”, c. k
and he ungirded his camels took off their bridles, which hindered them from eating, as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi; or loosed their girts and took off their burdens, that they might have rest: this may be interpreted either of the servant and of his men by his order doing this, it being the first thing that travellers do when they come to an inn to take care of their cattle; or rather of Laban, as what follows must be interpreted of him:
and gave straw and provender for the camels; straw for their litter, and provender to eat; this Laban did, or ordered to be done: the Targum of Jonathan expresses his name, and no doubt he is intended, for who should give these but he?
and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that [were] with him: which was usually done to strangers and travellers in those hot countries, see Ge 18:4. The Vulgate Latin version is, “and water to wash the feet of the camels”; which, though it is possible might be done, yet is without any foundation in the text.
k “intravit itaque”, Tigurine version, Piscator; “quare”, Schmidt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 32, 33:
Eleazar accepted Laban’s hospitality. He first attended to his camels, then to his own needs and the needs of the men who accompanied him. Before he would eat, however, he felt it necessary to give the purpose of his errand. He was conscientious in the discharge of his obligation to his master. Eleazar is an example of one who is truly faithful to his master.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Gen. 24:32. And he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels.] It is plain that Laban is to be understood as having unsaddled and unloaded the camels, besides furnishing the provender, water, etc. Everything was supplied for their comfort in true Oriental hospitality. (Jacobus.)
Gen. 24:49. That I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.] That is, should they decline his application, he would seek a wife for Isaac among other families of that people.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Gen. 24:32-49
THE MARRIAGE TREATY
I. Its religious element.
1. The sense of instant duty. The steward was intent upon the commission entrusted to him by his master, and refuses to take his food until he has discharged it (Gen. 24:33). He felt that he had to perform a duty to God as well as to man; for Abraham was in covenant with God, and he had taken a solemn oath to be faithful to his master in this matter. The pious man regards all duty as having reference to God, and instantly obeys the suggestions of conscience herein. To make haste to obey is an essential mark of godliness.
2. A recognition of Gods gracious dealings. The steward felt that God had greatly blessed his masterhad designed to make him a great nation, and for that end had wrought a special act of His power (Gen. 24:36). His master had taken all due care to make a holy alliance for his son. He himself had prayed that God might prosper his way. He now recites to this company the things which had befallen him during the course of his journey. He is convinced by the evident favour of Providence that the Lords hand had been in the business from the first, and now he confidently commits all his way to the same Divine guidance (Gen. 24:48).
3. A solemn sense of responsibility.
(1.) To man. He had a trust committed to him. His master was worthy of that trust. The business itself was right in the sight of God, and most important for the highest welfare of the human race.
(2.) To God. This man had learned that the Lord had intended a great destiny for the family of Abraham, which was to be the hope of the world. He must feel that he was not acting a part in an ordinary history. He has to bring the kingdom of God nigh unto this house. He had come from a family where the fear and worship of Jehovah were known, and which alone had any recent revelation from God, or was marked by the Covenant seal. Truly he is coming to offer to Labans household a share in the privileges of Abrahams calling. He is the bearer of the message of salvation.
II. Its economic element. The steward gives an account of Abrahams wealth and position (Gen. 24:35). He knew that the parents of this well-bred damsel would never consent to give their daughter to a man of mean circumstances, and living one hundred miles away, nor to one of ignoble or degraded family. He takes care, therefore, to state that his master is rich, and that the bride would have a suitable home and congenial society. Still, with that pious feeling which marked him hitherto, he takes equal care to note that the riches of his master were righteously gotten. The Lord hath blessed my master greatly (Gen. 24:35). He also gave suitable presents (Gen. 24:47). He treats her as one who is to enter such a distinguished family. In all this transaction the religious and the economic elements are mixed in due proportion. The men who most believed in the supernatural, and who had most abundant witness of it, were the men who used the most care in the employment of common prudence and skill. This man does not blindly rely upon miracles alone, but uses human means and proprieties to their proper extent and trusts for the blessing of God.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Gen. 24:32. Being warmly invited, the man enters the house. Laban is the actor here, and in the following duties of hospitality. It comes out here, incidentally, as it was reasonable to infer from the number of camels, that Abrahams steward had a retinue of servants with him. The crowning act of an Eastern reception is the presenting of food.(Murphy).
Thoughtful and seasonable acts of kindnessa worthy feature of those simple times.
Gen. 24:33. He meant to act, perhaps, upon some such principle as that laid down by our Lord for the guidance of those whom He sent out as ambassadors. (Luk. 10:8-11). He has substantially to set before them the salvation of the Gospel, inviting them to become partakers of it, and to cast in their lot with the people whose God is the Lord. To press for a decision upon this point is his first and chief concern, to which even the supply of his necessary food is altogether subordinate. He is in earnest,as a far greater Messenger was in earnest, when He too had to deal with the woman whom He met at the well about her spiritual good,her separation from old connections that she might be the Lords handmaid,and found the task so engrossing as to make him forget his own most pressing wants: (Joh. 4:31-34). So, in some corresponding measure, Abrahams servant felt in reference to the commission with which he was charged. It was his meal also, as it was the Lords, to get his commission well executed in obedience to his master and his masters God; and the execution of it took precedence with him even of his necessary food.(Candlish).
Gen. 24:34-49. Eliezers bride-wooing, the first speech in the Bible, a fit beginning for the whole circle of Biblical speeches.(Lange.)
And how simply does he go about the execution of his commission! He does little more than narrate the Lords dealings with Abraham in Canaan, and with himself on his journey thence. As a matter of course, we may be sure that he dwells somewhat more at length on the details of his masters pilgrimage than the brief summary given in this discourse might indicate. Nor can we doubt that he opens up, at least in part, the fulness of the blessing with which the Lord had blessed his master greatly, as having in it a rich store of spiritual as well as temporal benefits. At all events, it is the Lords blessing upon Abraham and his seed that this devout and upright man holds out as the chief, and indeed the only recommendation of the suit he has to urge. For, in what remains of his address, beyond a plain recital of the things that had befallen him, with a piousreference throughout to the manifest grace and goodness of the Lord in the leadings of His holy providencethe good man uses no arguments whatever to enforce the proposal he has to make to Labans household. Not with excellency of speech or of wisdomnot with enticing words of mans wisdom does he come to them, declaring unto them the testimony of God. If his mission is to be successfulif his message is to be believed by themtheir faith is not to stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. It is to be no triumph of persuasive eloquence; nor is it by any varnish of a subtle and seductive tongue that the maidens choice is to be determined and the consent of her family obtained. The Lords hand has been in this business from the first; and it must be left in His hand to the last. The servant can but deliver his plain tale, with all plainness of speech, and await such results as the Lord may be pleased to appoint. Such is this honest ambassadors honest discharge of his embassy.(Candlish.)
The offer of Abrahams servant to the house of Nahor is suggestive of the offer of Gods salvation to mankind.
1. Salvation is of the Lordby His direction and will (Gen. 24:48.)
2. Salvation is a miracle of Divine mercy. Isaacon whose account these things happenedwas born by a miracle. Forgiveness of transgressions comes to us out of the ordinary course. Nature teaches no doctrine of forgiveness. Her laws punish all transgressors without remedy. When salvation is brought, Gods own arm is apparent.
3. The consequences of rejecting the offer of salvation are serious. Had this offer made to Nahors household been rejected, the steward must have looked in some other direction. They would have lost a distinguished and honourable place in human history. They would have put themselves outside the circle of religious privileges. The rejection of salvation isto say the leastthe rejection of honour and dignity, of a place in the family of God.
And the Lord hath blessed my master (Gen. 24:35.) Ministers, Christs paranymphs, must likewise woo for Christ by setting forth His great wealth, and not to speak one word for Christ and two for themselves, as those did in Php. 1:15. John Baptist was no such spokesman. (Joh. 3:29.) It is the special office of the ministry to lay Christ open, to hold up the tapestry, and let men see him as He is set forth, (Heb. 1:2-3), that they may be sick of love, for otherwise Christ is like to have but a cold suit of it.(Trapp.)
And I will put the earring upon her face (Gen. 24:47.) So did Christ put upon His spouse His own comeliness, which was a jewel on her forehead, an earring in her ear, and a beautiful crown upon her head, (Eze. 16:12-14);whence she is called Callah, of the perfection of her beauty and bravery, (Jer. 2:32); and Hephzibah, (Isa. 62:4), of His delight in her; since He hath purified her as Esther, sanctified her, (Eph. 5:26), and so beautified her that now He rejoiceth over her as a bridegroom doth over his bride. (Isa. 62:5.) Yea, He resteth in His love, and will seek no further; He joyeth over her with singing as well paid for His choice. (Zep. 3:17.)(Trapp.)
The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with thee, and prosper thy way (Gen. 24:40.) Eliezer, the earthly messenger of Abraham, in the convoy of the heavenly messengers. A pious diplomat, accompanied by the angel of the Lord. The diplomats of this world are often accompanied by demons.(Lange.)
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Gen 24:32-33. He ungirded, &c. We have here a fine picture of the simplicity and open-hearted hospitality of those times. We have similar passages in Homer, who, perhaps, borrowed his ideas on the subject from this sacred history. See Homer’s Sixth Iliad in Pope, ver. 214. and Odyssey, iii. 69. and iv. 60, &c. in the original.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
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. 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. And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. 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. 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. 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: But thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. 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: 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. 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: 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; 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. 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. And 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. 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. 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. 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. Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken. And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 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. 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. 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. 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. And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men. 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. 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. And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 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. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 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.
1Co 11:5-6 . Some have thought, that this bringing in of Rebekah into the tent, is no unapt similitude of the bringing in of the Gentiles to the church. Isa 55:1 ; Rom 11:11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 24:32 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.
Ver. 32. See Trapp on “ Gen 24:31 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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: Gen 18:4, Gen 19:2, Gen 43:24, Jdg 19:21, 1Sa 25:41, Luk 7:44, Joh 13:4-14, 1Ti 5:10
Reciprocal: Jdg 19:19 – straw and provender Act 10:23 – and lodged
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
24:32 And the man came into the house: and {o} he ungirded his {p} camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that [were] with him.
(o) That is, Laban.
(p) The gentle entertainment of strangers practised by the godly fathers.