the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Genesis 24:1
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age. And Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things.
Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed him in everything.
And Abraham was old [and] far advanced in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Abraham was old, and well stricken in age. Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things.
Now Abraham was old, [well] advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Forsothe Abraham was eld, and of many daies, and the Lord hadde blessid hym in alle thingis.
And Abraham [is] old, he hath entered into days, and Jehovah hath blessed Abraham in all [things];
By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
Abraham was now a very old man. The Lord had made him rich, and he was successful in everything he did.
By now Avraham was old, advanced in years; and Adonai had blessed Avraham in everything.
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
Now Abraham was old and far on in years: and the Lord had given him everything in full measure.
And Abraham was old & stricken in dayes, and the Lorde had blessed Abraham in all thinges.
And Abraham was old, [and] advanced in age; and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham was old, well stricken in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham was olde and well stricken in age: And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
Now Abraham was old. He had lived many years. And the Lord had brought good to Abraham in every way.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
Now, Abraham, was old, far gone in days, - and, Yahweh, had blessed Abraham, in all things.
Nowe Abraham was olde, and striken in yeeres, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
NOW Abraham was old and well advanced in years; and the LORD had blessed him in all things.
Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in everything he did.
Now Abraham was old, and advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed him in all things.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraam was old, advanced in days, and the Lord blessed Abraam in all things.
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Abraham was now old, getting on in years, and the Lord had blessed him in everything.
Avraham was old, and well stricken in age. The LORD had blessed Avraham in all things.
Now Abraham was old, advanced in age, and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in everything.
And Abraham was old, going on in days, and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
Abraham was olde and well stricken in age, and the LORDE had blessed him in all thinges.
Abraham was now an old man. God had blessed Abraham in every way.
Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Abraham was now a very old man, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.
Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.
Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in every way.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
was old: Genesis 18:11, Genesis 21:5, Genesis 25:20, 1 Kings 1:1, Luke 1:7
well stricken in age: Heb. gone into days
blessed: Genesis 24:35, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 13:2, Genesis 49:25, Psalms 112:1-3, Proverbs 10:22, Isaiah 51:2, Matthew 6:33, Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Timothy 4:8
Reciprocal: Genesis 26:12 - blessed Acts 10:7 - two
Cross-References
I will build a great nation from you. I will bless you and make your name famous. People will use your name to bless other people.
At this time Abram was very rich. He had many animals and much silver and gold.
Abraham and Sarah were very old. Sarah was past the right age for women to have children.
Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born.
Abraham lived to be a very old man. The Lord blessed him and everything he did.
Now I want you to make a promise to me. Promise to me before the Lord , the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry a girl from Canaan. We live among these people, but don't let him marry a Canaanite girl.
The Lord has greatly blessed my master in everything. My master has become a great man. The Lord has given him many flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. He has much silver and gold and many servants. He has many camels and donkeys.
When Isaac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah. Rebekah was from Paddan Aram. She was Bethuel's daughter and the sister of Laban the Aramean.
the God of your father who helps you. May God All-Powerful bless you and give you blessings from the sky above and from the deep below. May he give you blessings from breast and womb.
King David was very old and could not keep warm. His servants covered him with blankets, but he was still cold.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age,.... Being now one hundred and forty years of age, for as he was an hundred years old when Isaac was born, and Isaac was forty years of age when he married Rebekah, which was at this time, Abraham must be of the age mentioned, see Genesis 21:5;
and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things; with all kind of blessings, with temporal and spiritual blessings; the former seems chiefly designed here, because of what follows; God had blessed him, as Aben Ezra observes, with long life, and riches, and honour, and children, things desirable by men.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
- The Marriage of Isaac
26. קרד qādad, “bow the head.” השׁתחוה shâchâh, “bow the body.”
29. לבן lābān, “Laban, white.”
In this circumstantial account of the marriage of Isaac, we have a beautiful picture of ancient manners in the East, the living original of which the present customs of that cradle of mankind are a striking copy.
Genesis 24:1-9
Abraham binds the chief servant of his house to seek a wife for his son Isaac among his kindred. The first movement in this matrimonial arrangement is on the part of the father, who does not consult his son, but the chief manager of his household affairs. Abraham is now a hundred and forty years of age, and Sarah has been three years dead. Isaac seems to have been of an easy, sedate turn of mind, and was not in circumstances to choose a partner for life such as his father would approve. The promise of a numerous offspring by the son of Sarah is before the mind of the patriarch. All these considerations impel him to look out for a suitable wife for his son, and the blessing of the Lord encourages him to proceed. The person whom Abraham intrusted with this delicate task has a threefold designation. First, he is “his servant” or minister. Secondly, he is the old man, ancient, or elder of his house. Here the term “elder” approaches its official signification. In early times age was taken into account, along with good conduct and aptitude, as the qualification for services of trust. Thirdly, he “ruled over all that he had.” He was therefore a master as well as a minister. If this be Eliezer of mascus Genesis 15:2, he was the steward of Abraham before the birth of Ishmael fifty-four Years ago. “Under my thigh.” The thigh was the seat of generative power, and the region of sacramental consecration, and to put the hand under the thigh was to acknowledge and pledge obedience to him who requires the oath.
Genesis 24:3-4
The appeal is to God as “Yahweh, God of heaven and God of the earth.” Yahweh is the personal name of God, which is properly used by those who are in fellowship with him. He is the Author of all being, and therefore of heaven and earth; and hence the arbiter of the destiny of the oath-taker, both in spiritual and material things, both in this life and in what is to come. “Not of the daughters of the Kenaanite,” a race sinking fast into ungodliness and unrighteousness, doomed to extirpation, to whom the promised seed is to succeed. The kindred of Abraham were Shemites, Hebrews, and still retained some knowledge of the true God, and some reverence for him and his will. The experienced elder of Abraham’s house does not wish to bind himself by an oath to what it may be impossible to fulfill. He makes the supposition of the unwillingness of the bride whom he may select, and obtains a quittance from his oath in that ease. The patriarch, however, charges him not to bring his son back to the land of his fathers, and expresses his confidence in the God of promise, that he will direct his servant to the suitable wife for his son. “His angel” Genesis 16:7. This is the Lord in the function of an angel or messenger opening the way for the servant of Abraham. He does not make any appearance to the servant, though a superintending Providence is strikingly displayed in the whole affair. The faithful elder now understands and takes the required oath.
Genesis 24:10-14
He proceeds on his journey. “Took ten camels.” These are designed for conducting the bride and her companions home to his master. “All the best belonging to his master in his hand.” This refers to the presents for the bride and her friends, and to the accommodations for her comfort on the journey. “Aram-Naharaim.” Aram was an extensive area, embracing not only the country west of the Frat and north of Palestine, but the northern part of Mesopotamia, or the country between the Frat and the Dijlah. The latter region is for the sake of distinction called Aram of the two rivers. It did not include the southern part of Mesopotamia, which was called Shinar Genesis 11:2, and probably extended only to the Chaboras, Khabour. The part of it in which Haran was situated was called Padan-aram Genesis 28:2. “The city of Nahor.” It is probable that Nahor accompanied his father, Terah, to Haran Genesis 11:31. If not, he must have followed him very soon.
Genesis 24:11
Made the camels kneel, - for repose. “The time when the maidens that draw water come out.” The evening was the cool part of the day. The simple maidens of primitive days attended personally to domestic affairs. The experienced steward might therefore naturally expect to see the high-born damsels of the land at the public well, which had probably given rise to the neighboring town. The prayer of the aged servant is conceived in a spirit of earnest, childlike faith. The matter in hand is of extraordinary importance. A wife is to be found for the heir of promise. This was a special concern of God, and so the single-hearted follower of Abraham makes it. He takes upon himself the choice of a maiden among those that come to draw, to whom he will make the request of a particular act of kindness to a stranger, and he prays God that the intended bride may be known by a ready compliance with his request. The three qualifications, then, in the mind of the venerable domestic for a bride for his master’s son, are a pleasing exterior, a kindly disposition, and the approval of God.
Genesis 24:15-21
The answer is immediate and direct. “He had not yet done speaking,” when the answer came. A damsel “very fair to look upon,” satisfying the taste of the old man, appears. He thereupon prefers his request, with which she promptly complies. The old man waits in wonder and silence to see if the Lord’s approval will follow.
Genesis 24:22-28
Rebekah makes herself known in reply to his inquiries. “A ring of gold.” The single ring was worn in the nose, the side cartilage of which was pierced for the purpose. This is a custom of the East. “A beka” was half a shekel, somewhat less than a quarter of an ounce. “Ten of gold in weight.” Ten bekas would be about two ounces and a quarter. If shekels, however, be understood, the weight will be double. These were merely a reward for her kindness and courtesy to a stranger. Two questions are now asked by the stranger - the one relating to her kindred, and the other to the means and the inclination they had to entertain a stranger, when inns were not yet in existence. She announces herself to be the daughter of his master’s nephew, and assures him of the requisite accommodation.
Genesis 24:26-27
Bowed his head and worshipped. - The bowing of the head and of the body are here combined to indicate the aged servant’s deep thankfulness for the guidance of the Lord. The utterance of the mouth accompanies the external gesture of reverence. “Her mother’s house;” those who were in the department of the females. We may imagine with what excitement and alacrity Rebekah would communicate the extraordinary intelligence.
Genesis 24:29-33
The reception of Abraham’s servant. Laban now comes on the scene. He is ready to run with his sister to find the man, and invite him, as a matter of course, to his father’s house. “When he saw the ring.” The presents to his sister assure him that this is the envoy of some man of wealth and position. “Thou blessed of the Lord.” The name of Yahweh was evidently not unfamiliar to Laban’s ears. He calls this stranger “blessed of Yahweh,” on account of his language, demeanor, and manifest prosperity. The knowledge and worship of the living God, the God of truth and mercy, was still retained in the family of Nahor. Being warmly invited, the man enters the house. “And he ungirded the camels.” Laban is the actor here, and in the following duties of hospitality. “The men’s feet that were with him.” It comes out here, incidentally, as it was reasonable to infer from the number of camels, that Abraham’s steward had a retinue of servants with him. The crowning act of an Eastern reception is the presenting of food. But the faithful servant must deliver his message before partaking of the friendly meal.
Verse 34-49
The servant’s errand is told. He explains his business in a singularly artless and pleasing manner. He then leaves the matter in the hands of the family. “Given unto him all that he hath.” His children by Hagar and Keturah were dismissed with portions during his life, and the main bulk of his property was conveyed to Isaac.
Genesis 24:50-61
The servant’s return with Rebekah. So plain an interposition of Providence admits of no refusal on the part of those who revere the Lord. Bethuel now appears as a concurring party. Laban, as the full brother of Rebekah, has a voice in the disposal of her hand; but the father only has the power to ratify the contract. The patriarch’s servant first bows in acknowledgment to the Lord, who had now manifested his approval of the choice he had made, and then proceeds to distribute costly gifts to the bride, and to her brother and mother. Now at length the thankful guest partakes of the fare set before him along with his entertainers, and after the night’s repose requests to be dismissed. “A few days;” perhaps a week or ten days. The mother and brother naturally plead for a little time to prepare for parting with Rebekah. They could not expect the servant, however, to stay months.
“Inquire at her mouth.” This is the only free choice in the matter that seems to be given to Rebekah. Her consent may have been modestly indicated, before her family ratified the contract. It is plain, however, that it was thought proper that the parents should receive and decide upon a proposal of marriage. The extent to which the maiden’s inclinations would be consulted would depend very much on the custom of the country, and the intelligence and good feeling of the parents. In later times the custom became very arbitrary. Rebekah’s decision shows that she concurred in the consent of her relatives. “And her nurse.” Her name, we learn afterward Genesis 35:8, was Deborah. The nurse accompanied the bride as her confidential adviser and faithful attendant, and died in her service; a beautiful trait of ancient manners. The blessing consists in a boundless offspring, and the upper hand over their enemies. These are indicative of a thin population, and a comparatively rude state of society. “And her damsels.” We here learn, again, incidentally, that Rebekah had more female attendants than her nurse.
Genesis 24:62-67
Isaac receives his bride. He had been at Beer-lahai-roi, the scene of the interview of Hagar with the angel of the Lord - a spot calculated to awaken thoughts of an overruling Providence. “To meditate.” This is a characteristic of Isaac’s retiring, contemplative mood. Abraham was the active, authoritative father; Isaac was the passive, submissive son. To meditate was to hold converse with his own thoughts, to ponder on the import of that never-to-be-forgotten scene when he was laid on the altar by a father’s hand, and a ram caught in the thicket became his substitute, and to pour out his soul unto the God of his salvation. In this hour of his grave reflection comes his destined bride with her faithful escort upon his view. Rebekah lights off the camel. Doubtless the conversation by the way with the elder of Abraham’s house had made her aware of their approach to the residence of her future husband.
She concludes at once that this must be he, and, alighting, asks if it be. On being informed by the servant that this is his young master, she puts on the veil, which covers the head, and hangs down gracefully both behind and before. The aged servant reports the success of his mission, and presents Rebekah. Isaac brings his cousin’s daughter into the apartments formerly occupied by his mother, and accepts her as his wife. The formalities of the interview, and of her presentation to Abraham as his daughter-in-law, are all untold. “And he loved her.” This is the first mention of the social affections. It comes in probably because Isaac had not before seen his bride, and now felt his heart drawn toward her, when she was presented to his view. All things were evidently done in the fear of God, as became those who were to be the progenitors of the seed of promise. We have here a description of the primeval marriage. It is a simple taking of a woman for a wife before all witnesses, and with suitable feelings and expression of reverence toward God, and of desire for his blessing. It is a pure and holy relation, reaching back into the realms of innocence, and fit to be the emblem of the humble, confiding, affectionate union between the Lord and his people.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
CHAPTER XXIV
Abraham, being solicitous to get his son Isaac property married,
calls his confidential servant, probably Eliezer, and makes him
swear that he will not take a wife for Isaac from among the
Canaanites, 1-3,
but from among his own kindred, 4.
The servant proposes certain difficulties, 5,
which Abraham removes by giving him the strongest assurances of
God's direction in the business, 6, 7,
and then specifies the conditions of the oath, 8.
The form of the oath itself, 9.
The servant makes preparations for his journey, and sets out for
Mesopotamia, the residence of Abraham's kindred, 10.
Arrives at a well near to the place, 11.
His prayer to God, 12-14.
Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, Abraham's brother,
comes to the well to draw water, 15.
She is described, 16.
Conversation between her and Abraham's servant, in which every thing
took place according to his prayer to God, 17-21.
He makes her presents, and learns whose daughter she is, 22-24.
She invites him to her father's house, 25.
He returns thanks to God for having thus far given him a
prosperous journey, 26, 27.
Rebekah runs home and informs her family, 28;
on which her brother Laban comes out, and invites the servant
home, 29-31.
His reception, 32, 33.
Tells his errand, 34,
and how he had proceeded in executing the trust reposed in him,
35-48.
Requests an answer, 49.
The family of Rebekah consent that she should become the wife of
Isaac, 50, 51.
The servant worships God, 52,
and gives presents to Milcah, Laban, and Rebekah, 53.
He requests to be dismissed, 54-56.
Rebekah, being consulted, consents to go, 57, 58.
She is accompanied by her nurse, 59;
and having received the blessing of her parents and relatives, 60,
she departs with the servant of Abraham, 61.
They are met by Isaac, who was on an evening walk for the purpose
of meditation, 62-65.
The servant relates to Isaac all that he had done, 66.
Isaac and Rebekah are married, 67.
NOTES ON CHAP. XXIV
Verse Genesis 24:1. And Abraham was old — He was now about one hundred and forty years of age, and consequently Isaac was forty, being born when his father was one hundred years old. See Genesis 21:5; Genesis 25:20.
