What does Genesis 24:36 mean?
ESV: And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has.
NIV: My master's wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
NASB: Now my master’s wife Sarah bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has.
CSB: Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.
NLT: When Sarah, my master’s wife, was very old, she gave birth to my master’s son, and my master has given him everything he owns.
KJV: 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.
NKJV: And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has.
Verse Commentary:
Abraham's servant is describing the reason for his journey to Rebekah and her family. Though they don't realize it just yet, he is also making the case for the marriage proposal he is about to extend to Rebekah on behalf of Abraham's son Isaac (Genesis 24:3–4).
After establishing Abraham's great wealth and status, given by God, the servant now introduces Isaac. It matters that they know Isaac was born to Sarah when she was old, to establish that Isaac is not as much older than Rebekah as they might otherwise imagine. It also helps for them to understand that all of Abraham's great wealth and status and blessing will pass to Isaac alone. The servant is painting the picture of a supremely eligible bachelor, which indeed Isaac was.
Verse Context:
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.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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 4/30/2024 5:40:18 AM
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