GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:1 Abraham sends one of his servants to his homeland in Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. The journey was about 550 miles (900 km) and would have taken the servant about 21 days. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:2 Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite, fearing this would draw him away from the Lord. From ch. Genesis 9:1 onward, the CANAANITES are frequently portrayed as wicked. PUT YOUR HAND UNDER MY THIGH. See note on 24:9. In spite of having left Haran in northern Meso... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:9 THE SERVANT PUT HIS HAND UNDER THE THIGH OF ABRAHAM. Since striking one’s thigh was possibly understood as a sign of remorse and submission (see Jeremiah 31:19; Ezekiel 21:12), the placing of one’s hand under the thigh of another may have indicated submission to that per... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:10 CAMELS. See note on 12:16. MESOPOTAMIA (literally, “between the rivers”) was the Greek title for the region between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Here it refers to only northwestern Mesopotamia. The CITY OF NAHOR, probably identified with Nakhur, was near Haran (see... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:12 The servant (like Abraham) has faith in the Lord and prays for guidance. The conditions he has set reveal that he seeks a wife who is generous and caring. The specific request in v. Genesis 24:14 is not the ordinary way to ask for guidance. Nevertheless, God graciously... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:16 The description of Rebekah as A MAIDEN WHOM NO MAN HAD KNOWN confirms that she is a virgin, creating the expectation that she may well be the one God intends to be Isaac’s wife. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, i... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:27 God’s swift answer to the servant’s prayer prompts worship and praise. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:50 Rebekah’s brother and father acknowledge the providential nature of these events. God clearly intends that Rebekah should become Isaac’s WIFE. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:53 The gifts confirm what the servant has earlier said about Abraham’s wealth (see v. Genesis 24:35). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:63 ISAAC WENT OUT. This is another divinely directed event, allowing Isaac to be the first to meet Rebekah when they arrive. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 24:65 SHE TOOK HER VEIL AND COVERED HERSELF. It was customary for a woman to cover her face with a veil during the period of betrothal, when she was committed to be married. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]