Genesis 24 - Introduction

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 well.

(3) 29 53. The betrothal of Rebekah.

(4) 54 67. Abraham's servant brings Rebekah to Isaac.

That the story may figuratively preserve a tradition of the amalgamation of Aramaean clans with the main Hebrew body is quite probable. But the picturesque details of the narrative are drawn from the life, and are evidently based on personal experience.