And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. Ver. 1. _And Abraham was old._] _Non tam canis et annis, quam virtutibus et sapientia gravis_, as one saith of Atticus. _a_ Abraham had a good gray head, as it is elsewhere said of him: hence, so honour... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:_ Ver. 2. _Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh._] Either as a token of subjection, or for the honour of circumcision, _quae erat in parte femoris; q.d._, I adjure... [ Continue Reading ]
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: Ver. 3. _I will make thee swear by the Lord._] Who alone is the proper object of an oath. Isa 65:16 Howbeit, in la... [ Continue Reading ]
But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. Ver. 4. _But thou shalt go unto my country, &c._] Nahor's stock were neither pure in religion nor precise in life, Jos 24:2 Gen 31:30 yet far better in both than those cursed Canaanites. Some knowledge they ret... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? Ver. 5. _Peradventure the woman, &c._] He swears cautiously, he doth not rashly rush upon his oath; he swears not in jest, b... [ Continue Reading ]
And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. Ver. 6. _That thou bring not my son thither again._] Where yet he had never been, but in his father's loins. He would not his son should part with the Promised Land for any outward accommodations. "Let us fear, lest a... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. Ver. 7. _He shall sen... [ Continue Reading ]
And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. Ver. 8. _Only bring not my son thither again._] This second time he lays charge on his servant not to do it. Better no wife, than displease God, than violate conscie... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter. Ver. 9. _And the servant put his hand., &c._] That, and the lifting up of the hand to heaven, Gen 14:22 was the ceremony of old, as now it is, laying the hand upon the book. Let it be what i... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. Ver. 10. _Took ten camels._] Creatures that are famous for their swiftness, strength, hardiness; for they wil... [ Continue Reading ]
And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, [even] the time that women go out to draw [water]. Ver. 11. _And he made his camels to kneel down._] Or, rest themselves, as the Greek interprets it. A good man is merciful to his beast; Pro 12:10 b... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Ver. 12. _And he said, O Lord God._] Begin we all our enterprizes with prayer. God may give good success without, but it will be nothing so sweet. See therefore that, “... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: Ver. 13. _And the daughters, &c._] So did Rachel, and those in Deborah's song, that rehearsed the acts of the Lord at the places of drawing water; Jdg 5:11 and Jethro's daughters, though he... [ Continue Reading ]
And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed k... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder._ Ver. 15. _Before he had done speaking._] So quick is God, many times, in the answer of prayers. Isa 6... [ Continue Reading ]
And the damsel [was] very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. Ver. 16. _And the damsel was very fair._] Kαλη και σοφη, Fair and wise, as it was said of Aspasia Milesia. _a_ Here beauty was not ill-bestowed,... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. Ver. 17. _And the servant ran to meet her._] For although he was at the well before, praying, Gen 24:13 yet, having stood at a distance till she had done drawing, he now ran to meet her. Though marr... [ Continue Reading ]
And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. Ver. 18, 19. _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:14 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw [water] for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. Ver. 19. _I will draw water for thy camels also._] This was, in everything, according to his desire. Gen 24:14 God sometimes fitteth his mercy, _ad cardinem desiderii,_ letteth... [ Continue Reading ]
And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw [water], and drew for all his camels. Ver. 20. _And ran again to the well._] In the city of Haran, at this day, saith one, there is to be seen a well of very clear water, where Rebekah gave drink to Eliezer... [ Continue Reading ]
And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. Ver. 21. _Wondering at her._] At her courtesy; but more at God's good providence, and so sweet a return of his prayers. The Greek hath it, He considered her, and held his peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten [shekels] weight of gold; Ver. 22. _The man took a golden earring._] Abiliment, or jewel; _Ut imponeret naso eius,_ saith Junius, to hang upon her... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, Whose daughter [art] thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room [in] thy father's house for us to lodge in? Ver. 23. _Whose daughter art thou?_] This he had asked her, before he had put upon her the jewel aforesaid, as may be seen, Genesis 24:47 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. Ver. 24. _The son of Milcah._] Bethuel's wife, not concubine.... [ Continue Reading ]
She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. Ver. 25. _She said moreover unto him, &c._] It ia well observed by an interpreter, _a_ that in the narration of this story (which yet seemeth to be of light and trivial matters) the Spirit of God is very exac... [ Continue Reading ]
And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. Ver. 26. _And the man bowed down his head._] See how he relisheth of his master's house, and showeth a gracious heart, ready to offer up a sacrifice of praise, wherever God shall please to set it up an altar. The same word in Greek (χαρις) s... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I [being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren. Ver. 27. _Who hath not left destitute my master._] He ascribeth all to God's good providence, no... [ Continue Reading ]
And the damsel ran, and told [them of] her mother's house these things. Ver. 28. Of her mother's house.] For the women had houses apart from the men: and the daughters were most about their mothers' lodgings.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. Ver. 29. _And Laban ran out._] Whether out of courtesy or covetousness. _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:30 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. Ver. 30. _When he saw the earring and bracelets._] T... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. Ver. 31, 32. _And he ungirded his camels._] Laban did. _Si spes lucri affulserit,_ &c. Sing but a song of "Utile," and many will dance after it, yea, stoop to any... [ Continue Reading ]
And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that [were] with him. Ver. 32. _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:31 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was set [meat] before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. Ver. 33. _I will not eat, till I have told mine errand._] He preferred his work before his food. So did our Saviour at the well of Samaria. John 4:6,8 _; _ Joh 4:31-38 And... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. Ver. 35. _And the Lord hath blessed my master._] Ministers, Christ's spokesmen, must likewise woo for Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. Ver. 36. _Unto him hath he given all that he hath._] This he knew would take well with them. What hath he? is a main question. In suites both of law and of love, money weighs and sways... [ Continue Reading ]
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: Ver. 37. _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:3 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:4 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. Ver. 38. _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:3 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:4 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. Ver. 39. _Preadventure the woman will not._] Here he leaveth out, in his discretion, Abraham's charge. Gen 24:6 For that would but have offended and irritated. Part of the truth may be concealed sometimes, as Jeremiah 38:27 . “... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:_ Ver. 40. _The Lord, before whom I walk._] To walk before God, with God, after God, are much at one: _est, quod Pers... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shalt thou be clear from [this] my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee [one], thou shalt be clear from my oath. Ver. 41. _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:8 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: Ver. 42. _And I came this day to the well._] God's providences are carefully to be observed and registered. We might have a Divinity of our own, would we but lay up our experience... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; Ver. 43. _Behold, I stand by the well._] But at a distance, as _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:17 _"_ See also... [ Continue Reading ]
And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: [let] the same [be] the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son. Ver. 44. _The woman, whom the.Lord hath appointed._] God is the match maker, and marriages are made in heaven, as very heathens have yielded.... [ Continue Reading ]
And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew [water]: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. Ver. 45. _With her pitcher on her shoulder._] Though a sufficient man's daughter, and a match... [ Continue Reading ]
And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her [shoulder], and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. Ver. 46. _And she made the camels drink._] _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:14 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter [art] thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. Ver. 47. _And I put the earring upon her face._] So did Christ put upon his spouse his own come... [ Continue Reading ]
And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son. Ver. 48. _And I bowed down my head._] A good Christian is ever either praying or praising: he drives a constant tr... [ Continue Reading ]
And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. Ver. 49. _That I may turn to the right hand, &c., _] i.e., Seek somewhere else: for something I must do, in answer to my trust. "It is required in stewards, that... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Ver. 50. _Laban and Bethuel._] Laban, the young master, was the great doer in this affair. _ We cannot speak unto thee bad or good._] "Good" (with reason) we cannot say against the... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, Rebekah [is] before thee, take [her], and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken. Ver. 51. _As the Lord hath spoken._] For his signs also are vocal. Exo 4:8... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, [bowing himself] to the earth. Ver. 52. _He worshipped._] _See Trapp on "_ Gen 24:48 _"_ Bowing himself to the earth.] This humble posture he had learned, belike, of his holy master, who walked before God... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave [them] to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. Ver. 53. And gave them to Rebekah: he gave also.] Note, that the custom was then, to give gifts to the bride and her friends. N... [ Continue Reading ]
And they did eat and drink, he and the men that [were] with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. Ver. 54. _And they did eat and drink._] It is lawful to be honestly merry after business despatched.... [ Continue Reading ]
And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us [a few] days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. Ver. 55. _Let the damsel abide with us._] Men promise in baste; perform by leisure.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. Ver. 56. _Hinder me not._] Say we so to Satan soliciting us to stay a while in our old courses and companies.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. Ver. 57. _And inquire at her mouth._] Eve was not dragged, but brought by God to her husband. There must be a mutual consent, or it is not of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. Ver. 58. _I will go._] Christ's Hephzibah is no less willing to go with him: he toucheth her heart, and maketh her so. Isa 56:6 He commanded his lovingkindness; Psa 42:8 q.d., Go, Mercy, and seize on th... [ Continue Reading ]
And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. Ver. 59. _And her nurse._] Deborah, who was a great stay to Jacob's family, and her loss much lamented. Gen 35:8... [ Continue Reading ]
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou [art] our sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. Ver. 60. _Be thou the mother of thousands._] _Votum nuptiale, Hebraeis solenne._ We wish them joy, we assure them sorrow, an... [ Continue Reading ]
And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. Ver. 61. _They rode upon the camels._] A tiresome and tedious journey it was, but for a good husband. Suffer we with, and for Christ, "that we may be glorified to... [ Continue Reading ]
And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. Ver. 62. _The well Lahairoi._] Whereof see Genesis 16:14. To this well there was, likely, some convenient walk from Beersheba, where Isaac dwelt with his father.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels [were] coming. Ver. 63. _To meditate in the field._] Or to pray; there he had his oratory; there he used to pray secretly (but now more earnestly, upon so important an occasion)... [ Continue Reading ]
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. Ver. 64. _She lighted off the camel._] To meet him with the more reverence and submission; for which cause also, she veiled herself. Here that of the poet held not. “Fastus inest pulchris, sequiturque superbia forma... [ Continue Reading ]
And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. Ver. 66. _And the servant told Isaac._] Ministers also must give account of their stewardship. Happy he that can present his people "as a chaste virgin to Christ," with Paul 2Co 11:2 that can say, with the prophet, "Here am I, and the children... [ Continue Reading ]
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's [death]. Ver. 67. Isaac brought her into his mother's tent.] There to rest till the marriage rites were performed; till he had got her goodwill... [ Continue Reading ]