Genesis 24:43

Genesis 24:43 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’

King James Version KJV

Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

American Standard Version ASV

behold, I am standing by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink;

Bible in Basic English BBE

Let it come about that, while I am waiting here by the water-spring, if a girl comes to get water and I say to her, Give me a little water from your vessel, and she says,

Free Bible Version FBV

Look, I'm standing here beside this spring. May it happen like this. If a young woman comes to get water, and I say, ‘Please give me a few sips of water to drink,’

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Behold, I stand by the well of water: when a virgine commeth forth to drawe water, and I say to her, Giue me, I pray thee, a litle water of thy pitcher to drinke,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

(lo, I am standing by the fountain of water), then the virgin who is coming out to draw, and I have said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher,

World English Bible WEB

behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Behold I stand by the well of water, and the virgin, that shall come out to draw water, who shall hear me say: Give me a little water to drink of thy pitcher:

Translation for Translators T4T

Listen to me. I am standing beside a well. A young woman may come to draw water. I will say to her, “Please, give me a little water to drink from your jar.”

Plain English Version PEV

Look, I am standing next to this water-hole, and the young women that live in the town, they are coming out to get water. Please show me which one you picked for Abraham’s son. I will talk to one of those women, and I will say, “Please let me drink a little bit of water from your jar.” Maybe that woman will say to me, “Yes, I will give you a drink, and I’ll give your camels some water too.” If she says that, then I will know that she is the woman you picked for Abraham’s son.’

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 24:43

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 24:43 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB הִנֵּ֛ה אָנֹכִ֥י נִצָּ֖ב עַל עֵ֣ין הַ/מָּ֑יִם וְ/הָיָ֤ה הָֽ/עַלְמָה֙ הַ/יֹּצֵ֣את לִ/שְׁאֹ֔ב וְ/אָמַרְתִּ֣י אֵלֶ֔י/הָ הַשְׁקִֽי/נִי נָ֥א מְעַט מַ֖יִם מִ/כַּדֵּֽ/ךְ

הִנֵּ֛ה hinnêh H2009 behold Part

אָנֹכִ֥י ʼânôkîy H595 I Pron

נִצָּ֖ב nâtsab H5324 to stand V-Niphal

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

עֵ֣ין ʻayin H5869 eye N-cs

הַ/מָּ֑יִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) Art | N-mp

וְ/הָיָ֤ה hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

הָֽ/עַלְמָה֙ ʻalmâh H5959 maiden Art | N-fs

הַ/יֹּצֵ֣את yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out Art | V-Qal

לִ/שְׁאֹ֔ב shâʼab H7579 to draw Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

וְ/אָמַרְתִּ֣י ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-Perf-1cs

אֵלֶ֔י/הָ ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

הַשְׁקִֽי/נִי shâqâh H8248 to water V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs | Suff

נָ֥א nâʼ H4994 please Part

מְעַט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 little N-ms

מַ֖יִם mayim H4325 Water (Gate) N-mp

מִ/כַּדֵּֽ/ךְ kad H3537 jar Prep | N-fs | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 24:43

הִנֵּ֛ה hinnêh H2009 "behold" Part

This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.

Definition: behold, lo, see, if

Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.

אָנֹכִ֥י ʼânôkîy H595 "I" Pron

This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.

Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)

Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.

נִצָּ֖ב nâtsab H5324 "to stand" V-Niphal

To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.

Definition: 1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand 1a2) to stand, be stationed 1a3) to stand, take an upright position 1a4) to be stationed, be appointed 1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst) 1a6) to stand firm 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to set up, erect 1b3) to cause to stand erect 1b4) to fix, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary

Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 39:6.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

עֵ֣ין ʻayin H5869 "eye" N-cs

This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.

הַ/מָּ֑יִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" Art | N-mp

This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.

Definition: This name means water, refreshment

Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.

וְ/הָיָ֤ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

הָֽ/עַלְמָה֙ ʻalmâh H5959 "maiden" Art | N-fs

This word means a young, unmarried woman, often a virgin. It describes someone who is pure and innocent. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Mary and Rebekah.

Definition: 1) virgin, young woman 1a) of marriageable age 1b) maid or newly married

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: damsel, maid, virgin. See also: Genesis 24:43; Proverbs 30:19; Psalms 68:26.

הַ/יֹּצֵ֣את yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" Art | V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.

לִ/שְׁאֹ֔ב shâʼab H7579 "to draw" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

To draw water from a well is what this Hebrew word means, and it is often used to describe the daily task of women in the Bible. In the book of Genesis, it describes the women of the town gathering at the well to draw water and socialize.

Definition: 1) to draw (water) 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to draw (water) 1a2) water-drawing women (participle)

Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: (woman to) draw(-er, water). See also: Genesis 24:11; Joshua 9:23; Isaiah 12:3.

וְ/אָמַרְתִּ֣י ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-Perf-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.

אֵלֶ֔י/הָ ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

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.

הַשְׁקִֽי/נִי shâqâh H8248 "to water" V-Hiphil-Impv-2fs | Suff

This verb means to give water or a drink to someone or something, often used in stories like Genesis and Exodus. It describes providing sustenance and care, like God giving water to the Israelites in the desert.

Definition: : watering(ANIMALS/PLANTS) 1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to water, irrigate 1a2) to water, give drink to 1b) (Pual) to be watered 1c) (Niphal) variant

Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water. See H7937 (שָׁכַר), H8354 (שָׁתָה). See also: Genesis 2:6; 1 Chronicles 11:17; Psalms 36:9.

נָ֥א nâʼ H4994 "please" Part

The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.

Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation

Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.

מְעַט mᵉʻaṭ H4592 "little" N-ms

This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.

Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth

Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.

מַ֖יִם mayim H4325 "Water (Gate)" N-mp

Definition: This name means water, refreshment

Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.

מִ/כַּדֵּֽ/ךְ kad H3537 "jar" Prep | N-fs | Suff

A jar is a container made of clay, used for storing liquids or foods. In Mark 14:13, Jesus sends His disciples to find a man carrying a jar of water. This word is also used in Luke 22:10 to describe a container for water.

Definition: jar, large jar (portable)

Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: barrel, pitcher. See also: Genesis 24:14; Genesis 24:46; Ecclesiastes 12:6.

Study Notes — Genesis 24:43

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 24:43 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 24:43
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 24:43
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 24:43
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 24:43
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 24:43
Sermons on Genesis 24:43

Context — Rebekah Is Chosen

41And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’ 42So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success!

43Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’

44and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son. 45And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 24:13–14	Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

Genesis 24:43 Summary

In Genesis 24:43, the servant of Abraham is waiting by a spring, looking for a wife for Isaac, and he asks God to help him find the right person. He comes up with a plan to ask a maiden for a drink of water and see if she will also offer to water his camels, as a sign that she is the one God has chosen (Genesis 24:44). This story teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance in our lives, just like the servant does, and to seek His will in our important decisions (Proverbs 3:5-6). By trusting in God and seeking His guidance, we can have confidence that He will lead us to the right path, just like He did for the servant and Rebekah.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the spring in Genesis 24:43?

The spring in Genesis 24:43 is a place where the servant of Abraham is waiting to find a wife for Isaac, and it serves as a location for God to bring about a divine appointment, as seen in Genesis 24:45, where Rebekah appears and fulfills the conditions set by the servant in Genesis 24:43-44.

Why does the servant ask the maiden for a drink of water from her jar?

The servant asks the maiden for a drink of water from her jar as a test to see if she is the one God has chosen for Isaac, as stated in Genesis 24:43-44, and this request is similar to the way God tests our hearts and faith, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:2 and 13:3.

Is the servant's method of finding a wife for Isaac still relevant today?

While the cultural context of Genesis 24:43 is different from today, the principle of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in important decisions, such as finding a spouse, is still relevant, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.

What can we learn from the servant's prayer in Genesis 24:42-43?

We can learn the importance of praying specifically and trusting in God's sovereignty, as the servant does in Genesis 24:42-43, and this is similar to the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-11, where He encourages us to ask, seek, and knock in our prayers to God.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can trust in God's sovereignty in my life, just like the servant in Genesis 24:43?
How can I apply the principle of seeking God's guidance in my important decisions, such as my career or relationships?
What are some ways I can demonstrate hospitality and kindness to others, like Rebekah does in Genesis 24:45?
How can I cultivate a heart of faith and trust in God, like the servant in Genesis 24:42-43?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 24:43

Behold, I stand by the well of water, and it shall come to pass,.... [See comments on Genesis 24:14].

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 24:43

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 24:43

Genesis 24:43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;Ver. 43. Behold, I stand by the well.] But at a distance, as See also

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 24:43

(43) The virgin.—Not the word used in Genesis 24:16, nor that rendered damsel there and in Genesis 24:14, but almah, a young woman just ripening for marriage. It is applied to Miriam in Exodus 2:8, where it is rendered maid, and to the mother of the Immanuel in Isaiah 7:14.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 24:43

Verse 43. When the virgin] העלמה haalmah, from עלם alam, to hide, cover, or conceal; a pure virgin, a woman not uncovered, and in this respect still concealed from man. The same as בתולה bethulah, Genesis 24:16, which, from the explanation there given, incontestably means a virgin in the proper sense of the word-a young woman, not that is covered or kept at home, the common gloss, but who was not uncovered in the delicate sense in which the Scripture uses this word. See this interpretation vindicated on Isaiah 7:14. See Clarke on Isaiah 7:14.

Sermons on Genesis 24:43

	Sermon	Description
	Knowing God's Will by Erlo Stegen	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a young man who became paralyzed and was abandoned by his wife. Despite his anger and despair, the man turned to God and prayed fo

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