Genesis 24:8

Verse

And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only thou shalt not bring my son thither again.

Bible in Basic English

And if the woman will not come with you, then you are free from this oath; only do not take my son back there.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But if the woman will not follow thee, thou shalt not be bound by the oath; only bring not my son back thither again.

Free Bible Version

However, if the woman refuses to return here with you, then you are released from this oath. But make sure you don't take my son back there.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Neuertheles if the woman wil not follow thee, then shalt thou bee discharged of this mine othe: onely bring not my sonne thither againe.

King James (Authorized) Version

And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

One Unity Resource Bible

If the woman is not willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”

Translation for Translators

But if the woman you find will not come back with you, you are free to disregard the promise you are making. The only thing that you must not do is to take my son to live there!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine. Only you are not to take my son back there.”

Noah Webster Bible

And if the woman shall not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only bring not my son thither again.

World English Bible

If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”

Young's Literal Translation

and if the woman be not willing to come after thee, then thou hast been acquitted from this mine oath: only my son thou dost not cause to turn back thither.'

Context

A Wife for Isaac

⁷The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there.⁸And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.”

Sermons

(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5

Chuck Smith

1.8K

Summary

In Genesis 24:8, Abraham instructs his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his relatives rather than from the Canaanites. This directive reflects Abraham's desire to maintain the purity of the covenant lineage and ensure that Isaac's wife shares their faith and values. It also underscores the importance of familial ties and cultural compatibility in the selection of a spouse, highlighting the significance of God's covenant promises being passed down through generations. Abraham's guidance in this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's will and guidance in all aspects of life, including relationships and marriage.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee,.... Or "but" if (m), which is said by Abraham, not as doubting she would be willing, of which he was satisfied, being persuaded that that God that had made him willing to leave his own country, and his father's house, would make her willing to do the like, and come and settle with his son in the land that God had given him; but this, and what follows, he said to make the mind of his servant easy, who had some doubt about it, or however was desirous of knowing how he must act should that be the case; and what it was he was to take an oath to do, and how far, and how far not, that would oblige him: then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; which he enjoined his servant to take; the sense is, when he had done all he could to get the consent of the damsel, and her friends, to go with him and marry his master's son; and after all she could not be prevailed upon to come with him, then he was free from his oath, having done all that that obliged him to, and he not attempting to take one from any other quarter: only bring not my son thither again; neither agree with the damsel and her parents, that he shall come to them, nor persuade him to comply with such terms. (m) "sin autem", V. L.