_ABRAHAM SENDS HIS ELDEST SERVANT TO HIS RELATIONS, TO TAKE A WIFE FOR HIS SON ISAAC. REBEKAH MEETS THE SERVANT, WHO IS HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED BY LABAN. SHE IS DELIVERED TO HIM, AND HE RETURNS WITH HER, WITH ALL SPEED, TO ISAAC._ _Before Christ 1856._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ABRAHAM WAS OLD, &C.— A hundred and forty. Compare ch. Genesis 21:5 with Genesis 25:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS ELDEST SERVANT— It is generally believed that this was Eliezer, mentioned in ch. Genesis 15:2. And as the Hebrew word זקן _zaken,_ rendered _eldest,_ signifies a governor, intendant, or steward of a family, (Genesis 50:7. Numbers 11:16; Numbers 11:35.) many interpreters render it, _And Abraham s... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU SHALT NOT TAKE A WIFE, &C.— Abraham apprehending probably his own death, and being anxious about his son Isaac, resolved to intrust the great charge of his matrimonial alliance to this faithful and long-approved servant, whom we are not to consider in a low light, but as the first and prin... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL FIND HIS ANGEL, &C.— Desirous of understanding clearly the intention of Abraham, and consequently of fulfilling his oath, Eliezer inquires, Genesis 24:5 whether, if the proper woman would not come to Isaac in the land of Canaan, he should be obliged to go a second time, and take Isaac with... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVANT TOOK TEN CAMELS, &C.— Abraham dismissed his servant with a train suitable to the commission wherewith he was charged; loading his camels with proper presents for the dowry of the intended spouse of Isaac; it being the custom in those days for the husband to pay, not to receive, a dowry for t... [ Continue Reading ]
IT CAME TO PASS, &C.— Before he had done speaking, before he had _mentally_ uttered this prayer, see Genesis 24:45. God, whose ears are ever open to the petitions of those who trust in him, prevented, as it were, his desires: and Rebekah, _with her pitcher on her shoulder, appeared._ What an image o... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WIT WHETHER, &C.— This verse must be supposed to refer to the whole action, and expresses, that as soon as Rebekah began to employ herself on his account, Eliezer stood the meanwhile wrapt in wonder and silent attention, to _note_ whether the sign, which he had requested of the Lord, would be ful... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOLDEN EAR-RING— _A jewel for the forehead,_ says the margin of our bibles, and in Genesis 24:47 it is said to have been _put upon her face,_ or _nose_. That this was not a jewel for the _ears_ seems probable, as it is in the singular only: but in what manner it was worn on the forehead or nose is... [ Continue Reading ]
HER MOTHER'S HOUSE— It seems very probable from this expression, that Bethuel the father was dead, and that the Bethuel mentioned after Laban, Genesis 24:50 was a younger brother of Rebekah's. In Genesis 24:53 no mention is made of the father. REFLECTIONS.—No sooner had Eliezer spoken in his heart,... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD— of _Jehovah,_ in the Hebrew. Hence, it clearly appears, that the knowledge of _Jehovah_ was not confined to Abraham and his immediate family. No appellation could be more beautiful or honourable than this; _thou blessed of the Lord!_ for what can express more esteem than to... [ Continue Reading ]
HE UNGIRDED, &C.— We have here a fine picture of the simplicity and open-hearted hospitality of those times. We have similar passages in Homer, who, perhaps, borrowed his ideas on the subject from this sacred history. See Homer's Sixth Iliad in Pope, ver. 214. and Odyssey, iii. 69. and iv. 60, &c. i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD, BEFORE WHOM I WALK, &C.— See ch. Genesis 17:1. The ancient manner is observable in this speech of Eliezer. In Homer the messages, &c. are always thus repeated.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY MASTER'S BROTHER'S DAUGHTER— means the _grand-daughter_ of _Nahor:_ grand-daughters are often so called.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE WILL DEAL KINDLY AND TRULY— If you are indeed inclined to oblige my master: if you will freely and honestly give him the virgin. These expressions are often used in Scripture, and are spoken of God towards men, as Genesis 24:27 ch. Genesis 32:10. 2 Samuel 2:6, &c. &c. and of men towards each o... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK UNTO THEE BAD OR GOOD— We cannot contradict thee in any thing respecting this matter. It is a Hebrew phrase. REFLECTIONS.—1. In consequence of what had passed at the well, Laban, Rebekah's brother, comes and gives Eliezer the kindest reception. From Laban's character, given in the subsequent C... [ Continue Reading ]
HER NURSE— Whose name (we learn, ch. Genesis 35:8.) was Deborah. She was the principal female attendant upon Rebekah, but not the only one, see Genesis 24:61 as Eliezer was the principal, but not the only _servant_ from Abraham; _Abraham's servant and his men._ Nurses, in ancient times, were general... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY BLESSED REBEKAH— They, i.e._._ her mother, brethren, and all the rest of her family and kindred, by way of tender adieu, pray God to bless her with a _numerous_ and a _glorious_ posterity, which was the highest blessing in the matrimonial way they could wish. Mr. Selden observes, that the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAAC CAME FROM THE WAY, &C.— It appears from this passage, compared with the next chapter, Genesis 24:11 that Isaac at this time _dwelt at Lahai-roi:_ so that he had now come thence to visit his father at Beer-sheba, and wait for his bride. It is a beautiful attitude, in which the sacred writer dra... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE SHE TOOK A VAIL, &C.— This was done either in conformity to the general custom in ancient times, or it may refer to the particular custom of the nuptial veil, worn by the bride when she was first introduced to her husband. This was also a fashion among the Heathens; and Tertullian very rea... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT HER INTO HIS MOTHER'S TENT—AND WAS COMFORTED— The tent, which Sarah had formerly occupied, was put into Rebekah's possession: whose beauty, modesty, and virtue alleviated Isaac's grief for the loss of an affectionately beloved mother, whom he had now continued to lament three years. Such was... [ Continue Reading ]