Bible Commentary

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. 15. Rebekah ] Here described as the daughter of Bethuel, as in Gen 24:24 ; Gen 24:47; cf. Gen 22:20-24, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:15”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:14”

Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 13. the fountain of water ] Two words are used in this passage which require to be distinguished: (1) “the fountain,” or “spring” ( ‘ayin), the water of which rises from the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:13”

And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. 12. O Lord, the God of my master ] Referring to Gen 24:7. The servant, though possibly (Gen 15:2) a native of Damascus, worships the God of Abraham; cf. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:12”

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]. 11. he made the camels to kneel down ] Throughout this chapter the camels are made to play a very prominent part. The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:11”

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. 10 28. Rebekah at the Well 10. ten camels ] The largeness of this retinue is intended (1) … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:10”

And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter. 9. concerning this matter ] Lit. “according to this word.” It has been supposed that the account of Abraham’s death, according to J, followed at this point, and, if so, it was omitted by the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:9”

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. 8. thou shalt be clear from this my oath ] Cf. Gen 24:41. The word “clear” is used in the sense of “innocent,” or “guiltless,” as in Jos … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:8”

The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spoke unto me, and that swore 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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:7”

And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. In case she will not come hither, do not thou engage that he shall go thither. Why so? 1. Because there was more danger of infection from his wife and her kindred, because of their friendly, and familiar, and constant … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 24:6”