the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Updated Bible Version
Genesis 24:13
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Here I am, standing by the spring, and the girls from the city are coming out to get water.
Here I am, standing by the spring, and the daughters of the people who live in the town are coming out to draw water.
Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
"Behold, I stand here at the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;
Lo! Y stonde nyy the welle of watir, and the douytris of enhabiters of this citee schulen go out to drawe watir;
lo, I am standing by the fountain of water, and daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;
Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.
The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water,
Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water.
Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water:
See, I am waiting here by the water-spring; and the daughters of the town are coming out to get water:
Lo, I stande here by the well of water, and the daughters of the me of this citie come out to drawe water:
Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.
Here I am, standing by this well of water, and the young women from the city are coming out to get water.
Behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.
Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the Citie come out to draw water:
Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
See, I am standing here by the well of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to get water.
I am standing here by the spring of water, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.
Here am, I, stationed by the fountain of water, - and, the daughters of the men of the city, are coming forth to draw water:
Lo, I stand by the well of water, whiles the mens daughters of this citie come out to drawe water.
Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Here I am at the well where the young women of the city will be coming to get water.
Behold, I stand nigh the spring of water, and the daughters of the inhabitants of this city will come out to draw water:
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Lo! I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of them that inhabit the city come forth to draw water.
Behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
I am standing here at the spring where the daughters of the men of the town are coming out to draw water.
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are going out to draw water.
Behold! I am standing by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Lo, I stonde here besyde the well of water, & the mens doughters of this cite wyll come forth to drawe water:
"Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;
Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water.
"Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
I stand: Genesis 24:43, Psalms 37:5, Proverbs 3:6
daughters: Genesis 24:11, Genesis 29:9, Genesis 29:10, Exodus 2:16, Judges 5:11, 1 Samuel 9:11, John 4:7
Reciprocal: Genesis 15:8 - General Genesis 29:2 - a well 1 Samuel 14:9 - they Proverbs 31:13 - worketh
Cross-References
And the slave put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
And the slave took ten camels, of the camels of his master, having all good things of his master's in his hand. And he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
Look, I am standing by the fountain of water. And let it come to pass, that the maiden that comes forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray you, a little water from your pitcher to drink.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, There they shall rehearse the righteous acts of Yahweh, [Even] the righteous acts of his villagers in Israel. Then the people of Yahweh went down to the gates.
As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here?
Commit your way to Yahweh; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass.
In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.
There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus says to her, Give me to drink.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water,.... Wishing, hoping, and expecting that something would turn out that would direct and instruct what further to do, and that would lead on to the business he came about:
and the daughters of the men of the city came out to draw water; which was the usual custom in those parts about that time. So Homer speaks w of meeting a girl before the city υδρευουση, drawing or fetching water. And this was a principal reason why Abraham's servant stopped at the well, not only to refresh himself, his men, and his cattle, but in hopes he should meet with the damsel there he was come for; or at least should hear of her, or meet with some one or another that would direct him to her; or something would fall out there that would be a means in Providence of bringing about what he was sent to do.
w Odyss. 10. ver. 109.
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.
