Genesis 24:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels.

NIV: So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.

NASB: So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.

CSB: She quickly emptied her jug into the trough and hurried to the well again to draw water. She drew water for all his camels

NLT: So she quickly emptied her jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw water for all his camels.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Abraham's servant had asked God that the girl meant to marry Isaac would offer to water his camels without being prompted (Genesis 24:12–14). In the previous verse, Rebekah did exactly that. Now she follows through on her offer to keep bringing water to the trough for the camels until they are finished drinking. She acts quickly and thoroughly.

This is likely well beyond what Abraham's servant would have hoped for. Not only has God given the sign that the right girl has been found, she is demonstrating a generous spirit, a sense of hospitality, and a genuine work ethic. The emphasis on Rebekah acting "quickly" seems to confirm that this is unprompted behavior. She's sincerely acting out of good will, not being coerced or manipulated with guilt.

This is a key feature in how Abraham's servant has approached his task to find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:3–4). His prayer specifically asked God to send a woman of character. Rebekah's beauty (Genesis 24:16) is certainly a good thing, but it's not the primary trait this man is looking for.

Genesis 24:10–27 follows Abraham's servant from Canaan to Mesopotamia on his mission to find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham's people. Arriving at the town of Nahor, the servant prays that God will reveal the right woman by allowing her to be the one to offer to water his ten camels without being asked. A young woman named Rebekah immediate does exactly that. When the servant learns this young woman is also the granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, he quickly worships God for bringing him to the right woman in so little time.

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 2:57:40 PM