2 Abraham said to his servant , the oldest of his household , who had charge of all that he owned, " Please place your hand under my thigh , 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord , the God of heaven and the God of earth , that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites , among whom I live , 4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives , and take a wife for my son Isaac ." 5 The servant said to him, "Suppose the woman is not willing to follow e me to this land ; should I take your son back to the land from where e you came ?" 6 Then Abraham said to him, " Beware that you do not take my son back there ! 7 " The Lord , the God of heaven , who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth , and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying , ' To your descendants I will give this land ,' He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there . 8 "But if the woman is not willing to follow e you, then you will be free from this my oath ; only do not take my son back there ." 9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master , and swore to him concerning this matter .
10 Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master , and set out with a variety of good things of his master's in his hand ; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia , to the city of Nahor . 11 He made the camels kneel down outside e the city by the well of water at evening time , the time when women go out to draw water . 12 He said , " O Lord , the God of my master Abraham , please grant me success today , and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham . 13 "Behold , I am standing by the spring , and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water ; 14 now may it be that the girl to whom I say , 'Please let down your jar so that I may drink ,' and who answers , 'Drink , and I will water your camels also '-may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac ; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master ." 15 Before he had finished speaking , behold , Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah , the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor , came out with her jar on her shoulder . 16 The girl was very beautiful , a virgin , and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her, and said , " Please let me drink a little water from your jar ." 18 She said , "Drink , my lord "; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand , and gave him a drink . 19 Now when she had finished giving him a drink , she said , "I will draw also for your camels until e they have finished drinking ." 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough , and ran back to the well to draw , and she drew for all his camels . 21 Meanwhile, the man was gazing at her in silence , to know whether the Lord had made his journey successful or not. 22 When the camels had finished drinking , the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold , 23 and said , "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father's house ?" 24 She said to him, " I am the daughter of Bethuel , the son of Milcah , whom she bore to Nahor ." 25 Again she said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed , and room to lodge in." 26 Then the man bowed low and worshiped the Lord . 27 He said , " Blessed be the Lord , the God of my master Abraham , who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward e my master ; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master's brothers ." 28 Then the girl ran and told her mother's household about these things .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 24:2-28
Commentary on Genesis 24:1-9
(Read Genesis 24:1-9)
The effect of good example, good teaching, and the worship of God in a family, will generally appear in the piety, faithfulness, prudence, and affection of the servants. To live in such families, or to have such servants, both are blessings from God which should be highly valued, and thankfully acknowledged. But no concern in life is of greater importance to ourselves, to others, or to the church of God, than marriage. It therefore ought always to be undertaken with much care and prudence, especially with reference to the will of God, and with prayer for his direction and blessing. Where good parents are not consulted and regarded, the blessing of God cannot be expected. Parents, in disposing of their children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls, and their furtherance in the way to heaven. Observe the charge Abraham gave to a good servant, one whose conduct, faithfulness, and affection, to him and his family, he had long known. Observe also, that Abraham remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his birth, by the call of his grace; and therefore doubts not but He will prosper his care, not to bring his son thither again. God will cause that to end in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at his glory.
Commentary on Genesis 24:10-28
(Read Genesis 24:10-28)
Abraham's servant devoutly acknowledged God. We have leave to be particular in recommending our affairs to the care of Divine providence. He proposes a sign, not that he intended to proceed no further, if not gratified in it; but it is a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master; and that was a good prayer. She should be simple, industrious, humble, cheerful, serviceable, and hospitable. Whatever may be the fashion, common sense, as well as piety, tells us, these are the proper qualifications for a wife and mother; for one who is to be a companion to her husband, the manager of domestic concerns, and trusted to form the minds of children. When the steward came to seek a wife for his master, he did not go to places of amusement and sinful pleasure, and pray that he might meet one there, but to the well of water, expecting to find one there employed aright. He prayed that God would please to make his way in this matter plain and clear before him. Our times are in God's hand; not only events themselves, but the times of them. We must take heed of being over-bold in urging what God should do, lest the event should weaken our faith, rather than strengthen it. But God owned him by making his way clear. Rebekah, in all respects, answered the characters he sought for in the woman that was to be his master's wife. When she came to the well, she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted from it but by an opportunity of doing good. She did not curiously or confidently enter into discourse with him, but answered him modestly. Being satisfied that the Lord had heard his prayer, he gave the damsel some ornaments worn in eastern countries; asking at the same time respecting her kindred. On learning that she was of his master's relations, he bowed down his head and worshipped, blessing God. His words were addressed to the Lord, but being spoken in the hearing of Rebekah, she could perceive who he was, and whence he came.