CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 24:1. And Abraham was old.] He was now in his hundred and fortieth year. (See ch. Genesis 25:20.) GENESIS 24:2. ELDEST SERVANT OF HIS HOUSE.] Heb. “His servant, the elder of his house.” This term denotes office, not length of servitude. This confidential head servant or ste... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 24:10. Mesopotamia.] The _Heb._ term is _Aram_ (or Syria) _of the two rivers_—the name for the district lying between the Euphrates and the Tigris. The _Gr_. name, _Mesopotamia,_ has the same meaning, _midst of the rivers._ CITY OF NAHOR.] Haran, (Charran), see ch. Genesis... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 24:15. Upon her shoulder.] This was the most graceful mode of carrying a pitcher when it was empty. GENESIS 24:19. UNTIL THEY HAVE DONE DRINKING.] Kalisch remarks, “If it is remembered that camels, though endowed in an almost marvellous degree with the power of enduring th... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 24:32. And he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels.] “It is plain that Laban is to be understood as having unsaddled and unloaded the camels, besides furnishing the provender, water, etc. Everything was supplied for their comfort in true Oriental... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 24:50. The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto the bad or good.] _Heb._ “The word cometh forth from Jehovah; we are not able to speak unto thee bad or good.” That is, we cannot say anything at all against the measure. (Genesis 31:24.) GENESIS 24:59. HER NU... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 24:63. To meditate.] Onkelos has _to pray,_ and the LXX. _to exercise himself, i.e.,_ religiously, to employ his mind and heart in devout contemplation. The Heb. word occurs only in this place, and is variously interpreted. The rendering in the A.V. is generally adopted. G... [ Continue Reading ]