Genesis 24

Abraham, now old, sends his trusted servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own relatives, not from the Canaanites. The servant prays, and God answers so exactly that he worships. Rebekah agrees to go, and Isaac takes her as his wife. The chapter shows God guiding ordinary steps in faithfulness to His promise.

Genesis 24:1

Abraham is near the end of his life, and God has prospered him in every way. One task remains: securing Isaac’s future. The promise needs a next generation, so Abraham settles the matter of Isaac’s marriage before he dies.

BSA: every way (“in all things, with every good thing”): God’s blessing on Abraham covered all of his life, not only his wealth.

Genesis 24:2-4

Abraham makes his senior servant swear by the LORD, God of heaven and earth, not to take a Canaanite wife for Isaac. He must go to Abraham’s own people. The concern is faith, not race: Isaac’s wife must not draw him away from the true God.

BSA: swear (“make a solemn vow, promise”): This is a binding promise made before God, not a casual pledge.

Hebrew: יָרֵךְ (yarekh, H3409) — “thigh, loins.” The thigh was seen as the source of offspring. The oath is sworn over the very line of descendants that God’s promise depends on.

Genesis 24:5-6

The servant raises a practical worry: what if the woman will not come? Should Isaac then go to her homeland? Abraham says never. God called him out of that land and promised him Canaan, so Isaac must stay where the promise is.

BSA: unwilling (“does not consent, refuses”): The woman’s own consent matters; she is not to be forced.

See also: Genesis 12:1.

Genesis 24:7-8

Abraham rests on God’s past faithfulness: the God who called him and swore to give the land will send His angel ahead of the servant. If the woman refuses, the servant is free of the oath. Isaac still must not go back.

BSA: released (“cleared, acquitted”): The servant is not guilty of breaking his oath if the woman truly refuses.

Hebrew: מַלְאָךְ (mal’akh, H4397) — “messenger.” The word simply means one who is sent. Abraham trusts that God will send someone ahead to prepare the way.

See also: Exodus 23:20.

Genesis 24:9

The servant takes the oath in the way Abraham asked. He is now bound before God to carry out the mission faithfully.

BSA: swore (“made a solemn promise, vowed”): He binds himself with a serious vow before God.

Genesis 24:10

The servant sets out with ten camels loaded with gifts from Abraham’s wealth. He heads for the region where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled. It is a long, costly journey, and it shows how seriously the task was taken.

BSA: Aram-naharaim (“Mesopotamia, the land between the rivers”): This is the northern river country where Abraham’s relatives lived.

Genesis 24:11

He stops at the town well at evening, when the women come out to draw water. A well was the natural meeting place of a town. The servant waits there, and the camels rest.

BSA: evening (“at sunset, the time of day when the sun goes down”): He chose the hour when the women would be gathered at the well.

Genesis 24:12

Before doing anything, the servant prays. He asks the God of Abraham for success and for kindness to his master. He does not trust his own cleverness; he asks God to arrange the meeting.

BSA: success (“good speed, prosperity”): He asks God to make the mission go well, not merely to let him try. kindness (“mercy, loving actions”): He appeals to God’s loving covenant faithfulness toward Abraham.

Hebrew: הַקְרֵה (haqreh, H7136) — “cause to meet, bring about.” He literally asks God to make the right thing ‘happen’ before him. He sees God’s hand even in what looks like chance.

See also: Proverbs 3:5-6.

Genesis 24:13-14

The servant sets a test that reveals character. The right girl will offer water not only to him but to all his camels. Ten thirsty camels meant a great deal of work, so it would show a willing, generous heart.

BSA: appointed (“chosen, decided”): He asks God to settle the choice rather than choosing for himself.

Genesis 24:15

God answers before the prayer is finished. Rebekah appears, and she is Abraham’s relative: her father Bethuel was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The God who sends angels also arranges timing.

BSA: praying (“speaking to God, offering a petition”): The answer comes while he is still speaking to God.

See also: Isaiah 65:24.

Genesis 24:16

Rebekah is described as very beautiful and a virgin, which marks her as pure and suitable for marriage. She goes down to the spring, fills her jar, and comes back up, doing an ordinary daily task.

BSA: virgin (“a bride, untouched”): She is a young woman of unspoiled purity, ready for marriage.

Hebrew: בְּתוּלָה (betulah, H1330) — “maiden of marriageable age.” The text adds that she had not known any man, to make her purity plain.

Genesis 24:17-18

The servant runs to meet her and asks for a little water. She answers politely and quickly, lowering her jar to give him a drink. Her respect and readiness to help a stranger already match what he hoped to see.

BSA: quickly (“hastened, sped”): She acts promptly and gladly, not grudgingly.

Genesis 24:19-20

Rebekah offers more than he asked: she will draw water for the camels until they are satisfied. She keeps running back and forth to the well. This is kindness that goes far beyond duty.

BSA: enough (“finished drinking, satisfied”): She does not stop until every camel is fully satisfied.

Genesis 24:21

The servant says nothing. He stands and watches, wondering whether the LORD has truly made his journey succeed. He waits quietly for God to confirm what he is seeing.

Hebrew: מִשְׁתָּאֶה (mishta’eh, H7583) — “gazing in amazement.” The word pictures a man so astonished that he is stunned into silence, watching God’s answer unfold.

Genesis 24:22

When the camels have finished drinking, he gives her a gold ring and two heavy gold bracelets. These were generous gifts. He gives them before he knows her family, as a sign of his hope and gratitude.

BSA: ring (“nose-ring or earring, a piece of jewelry”): It was a personal ornament, which later verses show was worn on the nose.

Genesis 24:23-25

He asks who her father is and whether there is room to stay the night. She names Bethuel, Nahor’s son, which shows she is of Abraham’s family. She also offers straw, feed and lodging. Her generous welcome continues.

BSA: room (“a place, space”): She promises more than a bare space, with plenty of room for him and his men.

Genesis 24:26

The man immediately bows and worships the LORD. He sees that the answer to his prayer has come, and his first response is thanks to God, not delight in his own success.

BSA: worshiped (“showed respect, obeisance”): It is deep reverence expressed by bowing low before God.

Genesis 24:27

He praises God for not withholding His kindness and faithfulness from Abraham. He also sees himself as simply led by God: the LORD guided him to the house of his master’s relatives.

BSA: kindness (“lovingkindness, mercy”): It is steadfast love that keeps its promises. faithfulness (“truth, stability”): God can be trusted; He is reliable and firm.

Hebrew: חֶסֶד (chesed, H2617) — “loyal, covenant love.” This is love that stays true to a promise. It is one of the Old Testament’s richest words for God’s love.

Genesis 24:28-30

Rebekah runs home with the news. Her brother Laban hurries out after seeing the ring and bracelets and hearing her report. The text hints that the gifts caught his attention, which fits what we later learn of Laban.

BSA: rushed out (“ran quickly, hastened”): Laban acts in great haste, eager to meet the visitor.

Genesis 24:31

Laban welcomes the man with warm words, calling him blessed by the LORD. He offers a prepared house and room for the camels. Hospitality to travelers was a serious duty in that world.

BSA: blessed (“highly favored, having God’s blessing”): Laban recognizes that this man is under God’s favor.

Genesis 24:32-33

The camels are unloaded and fed, and water is brought for the men’s feet. A meal is set out, but the servant will not eat until he has told his errand. His mission matters more to him than his comfort.

BSA: unloaded (“given rest, freed from their loads”): The animals are given rest and care after the long journey.

Genesis 24:34-36

He introduces himself simply as Abraham’s servant. Then he explains that the LORD has greatly blessed his master with wealth, and that Sarah bore him a son in her old age. Everything Abraham owns has gone to that son.

BSA: servant (“a bondservant or slave, one who serves”): He puts his master first and describes himself only as one who serves.

Genesis 24:37-41

He repeats Abraham’s instructions and the oath. He explains that Abraham trusts the God he has walked with to send His angel and make the journey succeed. If the family refuses, the servant is free of the oath.

BSA: walked (“lived my life, habitually”): Abraham’s whole life was lived in steady fellowship with God.

See also: Genesis 17:1.

Genesis 24:42-44

He retells his prayer at the spring. The sign he asked for was a young woman who would give him a drink and also offer to water his camels. He says plainly that he asked God to show His chosen one.

BSA: appointed (“chosen, decided, ordained”): He asked God to decide, and he waited for God’s choice.

Genesis 24:45-48

He tells how Rebekah came while he was still praying silently in his heart, and did exactly what he had asked. He gave her the ring and bracelets, then bowed and worshiped. He credits God for leading him on the right road.

BSA: heart (“my inner being, my mind and emotions”): His prayer was an inward one, known only to God, and still it was answered. right (“true, faithful”): God led him on a road that was sure and faithful.

See also: Psalm 32:8.

Genesis 24:49

He closes by asking for a plain answer. If they will show kindness and faithfulness to Abraham, they should say so. If not, he will go elsewhere. He puts the choice honestly in their hands.

BSA: faithfulness (“truth, stability, reliability”): He asks them to act with dependable honesty toward his master.

Genesis 24:50-51

Laban and Bethuel see the hand of the LORD in all this and agree. They say they cannot speak against it. They hand Rebekah over to be Isaac’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.

BSA: choice (“say Yes or No, speak for or against”): They recognize that the matter is settled by God and not by their own preference.

Hebrew: לֹא נוּכַל דַּבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ רַע אוֹ טוֹב (lo nukhal dabber eleikha ra o tov, H3808) — “we cannot speak to you bad or good.” This Hebrew phrase is an idiom meaning they could add nothing either way. They see no ground for objection.

Genesis 24:52-53

Again the servant bows to the ground before the LORD. Then he gives Rebekah jewelry, silver, gold and clothing, and gives costly gifts to her brother and mother. These gifts honored the family and sealed the arrangement.

BSA: bowed down (“in worship”): His first act after receiving the answer is again worship.

Genesis 24:54-56

After the night’s feast, the servant asks to be sent on his way. Rebekah’s mother and brother ask for ten days more. He answers that the LORD has made his journey succeed, and he does not want to delay.

BSA: success (“prospered, rushed forward”): He sees God’s blessing as a reason to move on, not to linger.

Genesis 24:57-58

The family agrees to ask Rebekah herself. She is asked directly, and her answer is short and brave: she will go. In a world of arranged marriages, her own willing choice is honored here.

BSA: opinion (“thoughts, feelings, will”): They want to know her own wishes, not only the family’s decision.

Genesis 24:59-60

They send Rebekah off with her nurse, who later appears in Scripture as Deborah. Her family blesses her with words that echo God’s promise to Abraham: countless descendants who will overcome their enemies.

BSA: possess (“take control of, occupy”): The blessing pictures her family taking hold of their enemies’ strongholds. gates (“entrances, strongholds”): A city’s gates stood for its strength and defense.

Hebrew: שַׁעַר (sha’ar, H8179) — “gate.” The city gate was where a town’s leaders met and its defense stood. To hold the gate was to hold the town.

See also: Genesis 22:17; Genesis 35:8.

Genesis 24:61

Rebekah and her servant girls mount the camels and follow the man. She leaves her home for a husband she has not met, trusting what she has seen of God’s hand in all of this.

BSA: followed (“went after”): She follows the servant into an unknown future.

Genesis 24:62-63

Isaac has been living in the Negev, the dry south, near Beer-lahai-roi. As evening comes he goes out into the field to meditate. When he looks up he sees the camels coming.

BSA: meditate (“think deeply”): He spends the quiet evening in deep thought, presumably before God.

Hebrew: לָשׂוּחַ (lasuach, H7742) — “to meditate, to muse.” The word is rare. It suggests quiet reflection, here likely prayerful, as evening comes.

See also: Genesis 16:14.

Genesis 24:64-65

Rebekah sees Isaac, dismounts, and asks who he is. When told, she takes her veil and covers herself, as a bride preparing to meet her husband. It is a sign of modesty and respect.

BSA: veil (“a shawl, a covering”): It is a covering she puts on for the first meeting with her husband.

Genesis 24:66

The servant tells Isaac everything he has done. He reports faithfully, and Isaac learns how God has led the whole journey.

BSA: all (“everything, the whole story”): Nothing is left out; the servant gives a full account.

Genesis 24:67

Isaac brings Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, takes her as his wife, and loves her. After his mother’s death, he finds comfort. The chapter ends with God’s careful guidance bringing a lonely man the gift of a wife.

BSA: comforted (“consoled, relieved”): Rebekah’s love eased the sorrow of Isaac’s loss.

Hebrew: וַיִּנָּחֵם (vayyinnachem, H5162) — “and he was comforted.” The word means to be consoled or to find relief after sorrow. Isaac’s grief for Sarah is gently eased.