The Story of Rebekah (J) This chapter, which gives one of the most vivid descriptions of the unchanging features of Oriental life to be found in the O.T., is from J. The narrative falls into four divisions: (1) 1 9. Abraham's commission to his servant. (2) 10 28. The servant and Rebekah at the we... [ Continue Reading ]
Abraham's Commission to his Servant 1. _well stricken in age_ Cf. Genesis 18:11. The Hebrew phrase means "going in days," just as we should say "advanced in years." Cf. Luke 1:7. _had blessed_ Cf. Genesis 24:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
_his servant, the elder of his house_ This servant has very generally been identified with the Eliezer mentioned in Genesis 15:2. The identity is nowhere explicitly stated; but it should be noted that chap. 15 is derived from E, while this chapter comes from J, and the absence of any reference to El... [ Continue Reading ]
_the God of heaven … earth_ This solemn title of Jehovah as God of the whole universe is more common in later Hebrew writings; cf. Ezra 5:11. This form of adjuration indicates the conviction of the writer that the God of the Hebrews was the God of the whole world, not merely of a particular locality... [ Continue Reading ]
_my country … kindred_ Here, as in Genesis 28:2 (P), the country and kindred of Abraham are to be sought, not in Ur of the Chaldees, but in the land of Haran, or Paddan-aram; cf. Genesis 24:7. _take a wife for my son Isaac_ It was customary for the father to select a bride for his son; cf. Genesis... [ Continue Reading ]
_bring … again_ Here and in Genesis 24:6_; Genesis 24:8_and Genesis 22:5 the word "again" is used for "back." Abraham's tone is that of a man who is on his death-bed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the God of heaven_ The LXX adds "and the God of the earth," from Genesis 24:3. The phrase "the God of heaven" occurs in Ezra 5:12; Nehemiah 1:4-5; Nehemiah 2:4; Jonah 1:9; Tob 5:16. _the land of my nativity_ See Genesis 12:1 (J). The land of Haran is clearly intended. _that sware unto me_, &c. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou shalt be clear from this my oath_ Cf. Genesis 24:41. The word "clear" is used in the sense of "innocent," or "guiltless," as in Joshua 2:17, "we will be guiltless of this thine oath." "Clear" in this sense is old English. Cf. Shakespeare, _Macb_. i. 7, "… this Duncan … hath been so _clear_in h... [ Continue Reading ]
_concerning this matter_ Lit. "according to this word." It has been supposed that the account of Abraham's death, according to J, followed at this point, and, if so, it was omitted by the compiler, who inserted by preference the account from P, in Genesis 25:7-11. It is pointed out that (1) the oat... [ Continue Reading ]
Rebekah at the Well 10. _ten camels_ The largeness of this retinue is intended (1) to impress strangers with the reality and value of the proposed connexion by marriage: (2) to provide for the adequate means of conveying the bride and her attendant hand-maidens, cf. Genesis 24:61. _having all … ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_he made the camels to kneel down_ Throughout this chapter the camels are made to play a very prominent part. The camels being made to kneel, in order to wait and rest until they are given water, is a common scene in the East. _the time that … to draw water_ We have here a familiar scene from Orien... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord, the God of my master_ Referring to Genesis 24:7. The servant, though possibly (Genesis 15:2) a native of Damascus, worships the God of Abraham; cf. Genesis 24:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the fountain of water_ Two words are used in this passage which require to be distinguished: (1) "the fountain," or "spring" (_-ayin_), the water of which rises from the ground, or out of the rock; and (2) "the well" (_be"êr_), as in Genesis 24:11_; Genesis 24:20_, the tank or cistern, protected wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_and let it come to pass_ The servant contemplates the possibility of repeated application and failure. The sign for which he makes petition is the voluntary offer on the part of a girl to give water, not only to himself, but also to his camels. This would be no mere formality, but a practical and l... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rebekah_ Here described as the daughter of Bethuel, as in Genesis 24:24_; Genesis 24:47_; cf. Genesis 22:20-24; Genesis 25:20; Genesis 28:2. The absence, however, of any mention of Bethuel except in Genesis 24:50, and the mention of Rebekah's mother and her brother Laban as the representatives of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_trough_ There was a separate receptacle, probably of stone, for watering the animals; Rebekah empties the rest of her pitcher into this trough, and probably has to fill it several times in order to give water enough for the 10 camels 1 [21]. [21] _Times_, p. 4, Aug. 18, 1913, "Studies in the Zoolo... [ Continue Reading ]
_looked stedfastly … his peace_ Lat. _contemplabatur eam tacitus_. The servant was astonished to find that the sign for which he had prayed had been given in the case of the first girl that had come to draw water; hence his look of eagerness, questioning, and silent thought.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a golden ring_ The ring (_nezem_) was probably a nose-ring, cf. Genesis 24:47. So the Samaritan version here reads "and put it on her nose." LXX ἐνώτια, Lat. _inaures_= "earrings." See for the _nezem_Proverbs 11:22; Isaiah 3:21; Ezekiel 16:12, where in each case a nose-jewel is indicated. _half a... [ Continue Reading ]
_room_ Lit. "place" as in Genesis 24:25. Cf. Psalms 31:8, "in a large room" (A.V.) = "in a large place" (R.V.).... [ Continue Reading ]
_straw and provender_ The character of Rebekah comes out in her practical answer. Food and stabling for the 10 camels would be more difficult to find than a lodging for the man. The Latin renders "room to lodge in" somewhat freely by _locus spatiosus ad manendum_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the man bowed his head_ Cf. Genesis 24:48; Genesis 43:28 (J). Rebekah's mention of her family had dispelled the servant's last doubt; bowing his head he gives praise to Jehovah, the God of Abraham; cf. Genesis 24:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_who hath not forsaken his mercy and his truth_ For a very similar sentence, cf. Ruth 2:20, "Blessed be he of the Lord who hath not left off his kindness." The word used here for "mercy" is the same as that rendered "kindness," Genesis 24:12_; Genesis 24:14_, and "kindly" in Genesis 24:49. The combi... [ Continue Reading ]
_her mother's house_ Her father probably was dead. The "house" is not the building, but the "household," cf. Genesis 18:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Betrothal of Rebekah 29. _Laban_ Rebekah's brother Laban (cf. Genesis 25:20; Genesis 28:2; Genesis 29:5) takes the part of the chief representative of Rebekah's family. Bethuel, their father, is mentioned along with him only in Genesis 24:50; and their mother in Genesis 24:53_; Genesis 24:55_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_when he saw the ring_ With a slight touch of ironical humour, the first hint is thus given of Laban's avaricious character. The sight of the gold seems to stimulate his courtesy to the servant.... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou blessed of the Lord_ Cf. Genesis 26:29. Laban's reference to Jehovah probably implies that he too, as a member of Abraham's kindred, was a worshipper of Jehovah the God of Abraham.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the man_ i.e. Abraham's servant; he ungirded his own camels, and Laban gave them straw and fodder. The camel is a most valuable possession, but a delicate animal, needing care and attention. _he gave straw_ i.e. Laban. _water_ Cf. Genesis 18:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
_meat_ i.e. "food." See note on Genesis 1:29. _I will not eat_ The courtesies of the East would prohibit an enquiry into the stranger's name before he had partaken of food. The name might possibly reveal relations, e.g. those of blood-feud, which would exclude hospitality.... [ Continue Reading ]
_hath blessed_ Cf. Genesis 24:1. The servant recounts the wealth of Abraham of which we have heard in Genesis 12:16; Genesis 13:2. The servant's first object is to represent that, from a worldly point of view, a marriage with Abraham's son would be not only prudent, but desirable.... [ Continue Reading ]
_unto him hath he given_ The servant here states that Abraham has already made over to Isaac the great bulk of his wealth, as is stated in Genesis 25:5. Those who suppose that the mention of Abraham's death originally occurred after Genesis 24:9, regard this sentence as indicating Abraham's final di... [ Continue Reading ]
_And my master made me swear_ This and the four following verses recapitulate the substance of Genesis 24:3. The _dénouement_of the story is thus retarded. Similarly in the following _vv._(42 48) the suspense caused by the repetition tends to heighten the interest.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I came this day_ Genesis 24:42 recapitulate the substance of 12 27.... [ Continue Reading ]
_my master's brother's daughter_ The servant definitely states the relationship of Rebekah; cf. Genesis 22:23. "Brother" may mean "relative" (Genesis 13:8; Genesis 14:14). Those who think Bethuel's name in this chapter (Genesis 24:15_; Genesis 24:24; Genesis 24:47_[50]) is inserted as a gloss, regar... [ Continue Reading ]
_deal kindly and truly_ Lit. "do kindness and truth"; cf. Genesis 47:29. See note on Genesis 24:27. _to the right hand, or to the left_ The servant asks for a prompt reply, so that, if his request is refused, he may consider what course next to pursue. For fanciful Rabbinic interpretations of "the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Laban and Bethuel_ The only passage in which, if the text is correct, Bethuel takes a prominent part in the transaction. Even here Laban is mentioned before him. For some reason, Bethuel is in the background: cf. Genesis 29:5. Hence Kittel reads "and his house," _ûbêthô_; Holzinger, "and Milcah": s... [ Continue Reading ]
_take … and go_ The betrothal is thus summarily settled. The bride is not consulted! _as the Lord hath spoken_ Referring to the manner in which the will Jehovah had evidently been made known. Events, not words, had been the means of revelation.... [ Continue Reading ]
_bowed himself down_ Cf. Genesis 24:26_; Genesis 24:48_. The servant renders thanks to Jehovah before proceeding to ratify the betrothal.... [ Continue Reading ]
_jewels … silver … gold … raiment_ The word "jewels" in the original is indefinite, and might be rendered "vessels," as LXX σκεύη and Lat. _vasa_. The servant's first act is to ratify the betrothal by making the betrothal gifts to the bride. Oriental custom required that, at the betrothal, gifts sho... [ Continue Reading ]
Abraham's Servant brings Rebekah to Isaac 55. _her brother and her mother_ LXX and Lat. read "her brothers and her mother." a few _days, at the least ten_ Heb. "days or ten," or, as we should say, "a week or ten days"; the word "or" meaning "or rather." LXX ἡμέρας ὡσεὶ δέκα, Lat. _saltem decem die... [ Continue Reading ]
_to my master_ The servant entreats that there should be no delay. He wishes to return with the bride to his master. Whether this is Abraham or Isaac, is not stated. But, judging from Genesis 24:65, there is ground for the supposition that Isaac is intended. Otherwise, the servant's haste may be su... [ Continue Reading ]
_their sister_ Laban is thus referred to as the head of the family; cf. "your daughter" in Genesis 34:8. _her nurse_ i.e. her special personal attendant; cf. Genesis 29:24; Genesis 29:29. The name of the nurse appears in Genesis 35:8 as Deborah. _and his men_ The servant's retinue, mentioned in Ge... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they blessed Rebekah_ The farewell blessing and good wishes of the family referred in Oriental fashion to the two objects of desire, (1) that she should be the mother of many descendants; and (2) that they should be victorious over their enemies. _possess the gate of_ Cf. Genesis 22:17. "The p... [ Continue Reading ]
_her damsels_ Rebekah took attendants with her besides the nurse mentioned in Genesis 24:59. See note on Genesis 24:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
_from the way_ The reading of LXX, _through the wilderness_, is supported by the Samaritan, and gives a good meaning. Isaac had been dwelling in the Negeb, and had now come, "through the wilderness," to Beer-lahai-roi, to meet the returning messengers. The Hebrew text is probably corrupt. Literally... [ Continue Reading ]
_to meditate_ A strange and poetical word to be used in this context. It has given rise to very various renderings: LXX ἀδολεσχῆσαι, Lat. _ad meditandum_, Aq. ὁμιλῆσαι, Sym. λαλῆσαι, Syr. Pesh. "to walk about" (so Gesenius), with a slight variation of the reading. Rashi says the word means "prayer";... [ Continue Reading ]
_lighted off the camel_ i.e. she "alighted," or "leapt down from." Her action is that of Oriental courtesy: cf. Joshua 15:18; Jdg 1:14; 1 Samuel 25:23; 2 Kings 5:21. See Thomson's _Land and Book_, p. 593, "Women frequently refuse to ride in the presence of men; and when a company of them are to pass... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is my master_ Referring to Isaac. The expression favours the suggestion that, according to the original version of the story, Abraham's death had been mentioned after Genesis 24:9 (see note); the servant's master was no longer Abraham. _took her veil_ According to Oriental custom the bride was... [ Continue Reading ]
_into his mother Sarah's tent_ The language of the Heb. text is here very obscure; and the original structure of it has probably been altered. Literally it means "into the tent Sarah his mother," a grammatical impossibility. It can hardly be questioned that the words "Sarah his mother" are a gloss u... [ Continue Reading ]