Genesis 24:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He said, "Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."

NIV: "Come, you who are blessed by the Lord," he said. "Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."

NASB: And he said, 'Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside, since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?'

CSB: Laban said, "Come, you who are blessed by the Lord. Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels."

NLT: Laban said to him, 'Come and stay with us, you who are blessed by the Lord! Why are you standing here outside the town when I have a room all ready for you and a place prepared for the camels?'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”

Rebekah's brother Laban, hearing her story of everything Abraham's servant had said to her and seeing the gifts that he gave to her, rushes out to the town well, or spring, and finds the servant waiting there. At this point, however, all Rebekah or Laban really know is that the man is wealthy and in search of Abraham's family. To this point, the servant has not revealed that his mission is to find a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac (Genesis 24:3–4).

Laban addresses the servant warmly, calling him the Lord's blessed one and inviting his company to come and stay at their house.

Hospitality was a critical cultural value in this era, especially among reputable people. To leave anyone, especially a relative or potential guest, without accommodation would be seen as a grave unkindness. The quickness and eagerness of Rebekah and Laban in offering hospitality to Abraham's servant reminds us of Abraham's own eagerness to offer hospitality to the travelers who turned out to be the Lord and two angels in human form (Genesis 18:1–15). It reminds us, as well, of Lot's urgent hospitality to the two strangers, also angels, on Sodom's final night (Genesis 19:1–3).

Genesis 24:28–59 describes how Abraham's servant, confident he has found God's intended woman for Abraham's son, approaches Rebekah's family to ask for her hand in marriage to Isaac. After being welcomed into their household, the servant tells, in great detail, the story of how God has lead him to Rebekah and their home. Rebekah's father and brother quickly agree that they must allow this marriage to happen. After a bit of negotiation the next morning about when Rebekah will travel to Canaan, Rebekah agrees to leave that very day.

Abraham asks his most trusted servant to travel to his former homeland to find a wife for his son Isaac. Swearing to do so, the servant arrives at the city of Nahor and asks the Lord to show him which young women is appointed for Isaac. Finding Rebekah, the very granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, the servant reveals the reason for his journey to her family. Her father Bethuel and brother Laban agree to allow Rebekah to travel to Canaan and marry Isaac, which she does.

Genesis 24 takes place a few years after Sarah has died. Abraham becomes urgent to find Isaac a wife, not among the women of Canaan, but from his own people back in Mesopotamia. His trusted servant, sent to accomplish this mission with the help of the Lord, eventually returns with Rebekah, the granddaughter of Abraham's own brother. Isaac is married to her at the age of 40. Abraham's death is recorded in the following chapter.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.