Genesis 24:39
Genesis 24:39 in Multiple Translations
Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’
And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
And I said to my master, What if the woman will not come with me?
I said to my master, ‘What if the woman refuses to come back with me?’
Then I saide vnto my master, What if the woman will not follow me?
'And I say unto my lord, It may be the woman doth not come after me;
I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’
And I said to my master, It may be the woman will not follow me.
But I answered my master: What if the woman will not come with me?
Then I asked my master, ‘What shall I do if the woman you show me will not come back with me?’
Then I said to my boss Abraham, ‘Maybe I will pick a woman, and that woman will not want to leave her home country and come with me here, to Canaan country. Then what do you want me to do?’
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 24:39
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 24:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וָ/אֹמַ֖ר
אֶל
אֲדֹנִ֑/י
אֻלַ֛י
לֹא
תֵלֵ֥ךְ
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
אַחֲרָֽ/י
וָ/אֹמַ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אֲדֹנִ֑/י
ʼâdôwn
H113
lord
N-ms | Suff
אֻלַ֛י
ʼûwlay
H194
perhaps
Adv
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תֵלֵ֥ךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Art | N-fs
אַחֲרָֽ/י
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 24:39
וָ/אֹמַ֖ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֲדֹנִ֑/י
ʼâdôwn
H113
"lord"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.
Definition: 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.
אֻלַ֛י
ʼûwlay
H194
"perhaps"
Adv
Ulay means perhaps or if not, used to express uncertainty or doubt. It appears in various forms, such as peradventure or unless. It helps to convey tentative ideas.
Definition: 1) perhaps, peradventure 2) if peradventure 3) unless 4) suppose
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. See also: Genesis 16:2; 1 Samuel 14:6; Isaiah 37:4.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֵלֵ֥ךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
הָ/אִשָּׁ֖ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Art | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
אַחֲרָֽ/י
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep | Suff
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
Study Notes — Genesis 24:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Rebekah Is Chosen
37My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell,
38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’
39Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’
40And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. 41And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 24:5 | The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” |
Genesis 24:39 Summary
In Genesis 24:39, the servant is thinking about what might happen if the woman he is sent to find doesn't want to come back with him. He's concerned about how things will work out, and he asks his master for guidance. This shows that the servant is thoughtful and wants to do the right thing. It's like when we're faced with a big decision and we're not sure what to do - we can ask God for guidance and trust that He will help us make the right choice, just like it says in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the concern of the servant in Genesis 24:39?
The servant was concerned about what would happen if the woman he was sent to find as a wife for Isaac would not be willing to return with him, as seen in Genesis 24:39, which prompted him to ask his master for guidance, similar to how we see Abraham trusting in God's guidance in Genesis 12:1-3.
How did Abraham's faith influence the actions of his servant?
Abraham's faith in God's promise, as seen in Genesis 21:1-3, influenced the actions of his servant, who was also trusting in God's sovereignty, as stated in Genesis 24:40, where Abraham reassures him that God will send His angel to make his journey a success.
What does this verse reveal about the character of the servant?
This verse reveals that the servant is thoughtful and considerate, thinking ahead to potential problems and seeking guidance from his master, demonstrating a humble and obedient spirit, similar to what we see in the life of Joseph in Genesis 37:1-11.
How does this verse relate to our own lives and decision-making?
This verse reminds us to seek guidance and trust in God's sovereignty when faced with uncertainty, just as the servant did, and to have faith that God will work out His plan, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance, just like the servant in Genesis 24:39?
- How can I demonstrate a humble and obedient spirit, like the servant, in my own relationships and decision-making?
- What are some potential 'what ifs' in my life that I can bring before God in prayer, trusting in His promise to work everything out for my good, as seen in Romans 8:28?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of seeking guidance and trusting in God's plan, as seen in Genesis 24:39-41, to my own life and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 24:39
And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. [See comments on Genesis 24:5].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 24:39
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 24:39
Genesis 24:39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.Ver. 39. Preadventure the woman will not.] Here he leaveth out, in his discretion, Abraham’ s charge. For that would but have offended and irritated. Part of the truth may be concealed sometimes, as Jeremiah 38:27. “ Quid, quod, ubi, per quos, quoties, cur, quomodo, quando, Quilibet haec animo reputet, medicamina dando. ” But what shall we think of that practice of Buchanan the Scotch poet, who being taken hold of by some of the Pope’ s inquisitors in his travels, to acquit himself, sent this Distichon to the Pope - “ Laus tua non tua fraus, virtus non copia rerum Scandere te fecit hoc decus eximium. ” Hereupon he was released: but, when got out of the Pope’ s jurisdiction, he sent to him, and desired that his verses might not be misunderstood; but, according to his true meaning, might be read backward: which being so read, stand thus - “ Eximium decus hoc fecit te scandere rerum Copia, non virtus; fraus tua, non tua laus. ” This was, saith one, so only to speak the truth, as to leave the incorrigible to their lusts, wisely avoiding their hatred: this is σοφονφαρμακον, at least, say I.
Sermons on Genesis 24:39
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God's Will for Young People by Peet Botha | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the six things that happened in the lives of Martin and Lisa. The congregation experiences the serenity of God and acknowledges that what has |