Genesis-Chap-24
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please
do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the
following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
Part One..
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Genesis
Chapter 24 marks a pivotal transition in the patriarchal narrative. With the
passing of Sarah, the focus shifts to the continuity of the covenant. Abraham,
now “old and advanced in years”, recognises that the future of the promise rests
on Isaac’s marriage. This chapter is unique for its length and detail,
highlighting the importance of chesed (loving-kindness)
and the meticulous care required to ensure the next
generation remains rooted in the proper spiritual foundation, away from the
influence of Canaanite culture.
YYYYYYY
Genesis Chapter 24, verses 1 to 35:
Whilst below the verses are the Explanation’s. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version
of the Torah).
Verses 1-4: “And Abraham was old, well stricken in age; and יְהוָה - the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had: ‘Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh. And I will make thee swear by Explanation Verses 54-58: The following morning, the servant insists on leaving immediately. The family wishes for Rebecca to stay for a year or ten months, but the servant asks not to be delayed. Crucially, the family decides to “ask the maiden”. Rebecca’s short, decisive answer “I will go” shows her independence, courage, and readiness to embrace her destiny in a distant land.
Explanation Verses 59-61: Rebecca departs with her nurse (Deborah) and her handmaids. Her family blesses her with the famous words: “Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands”. This blessing acknowledges her role as a foundational matriarch whose descendants will overcome their enemies and flourish.
Explanation Verses 62-65: Isaac is found in the field at eventide “to meditate” (or pray). He is coming from Beer-lahai-roi, a place associated with Divine vision. As Rebecca approaches and sees Isaac, she alights from her camel and veils herself, a gesture of modesty and reverence as she enters her new role.
Explanation Verses 66-67: The servant reports all he has done to Isaac. Isaac brings Rebecca into the tent of his mother Sarah. The text notes that he loved her and “was comforted after his mother’s death”. This concludes the transition; the light that left the tent when Sarah died returns with the arrival of Rebecca.
the LORD,
the אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim (God) of heaven and the אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the
daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell. But thou
shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son, even
for Isaac’.
Explanation Verses 1-4: Abraham’s first priority is ensuring Isaac does not marry a daughter of the Canaanites. He seeks a wife from his own kindred, not out of mere tribalism, but to ensure a shared moral heritage. The oath administered to his servant, placed “under the thigh” underscores the sacred, foundational nature of this mission regarding circumcision and the covenant.
Verses 5-9: 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 back unto the land from whence thou camest?’ And Abraham said unto him: ‘Beware thou that thou bring not my son
back thither. יְהוָה
- the LORD, the אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my
nativity, and who spoke unto me, and who swore unto me, saying: Unto thy seed
will I give this land; He will send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take
a wife for my son from thence. And if the woman be not
willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only thou
shalt not bring my son back thither’. And the servant put
his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning
this matter.
Explanation Verses 5-9: The
servant, likely Eliezer, raises a practical concern:
what if the woman refuses to leave her home? Abraham is adamant that Isaac must
never leave the
Verses 10-14: And the servant took ten
camels, of the camels of his master, and departed; having all goodly things of
his master’s in his hand; and he arose, and went to Aram-naharaim,
unto the city of
Explanation Verses 10-14: The servant arrives at the well in Aram-naharaim and sets a specific test. He does not look for beauty or wealth, but for an extraordinary display of character. He prays for a sign where a woman will not only offer him a drink but will also volunteer to water his ten thirsty camels, a massive undertaking that reveals a soul defined by proactive kindness.
Verses 15-21: And it came to pass, before he
had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the
wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher
upon her shoulder. And the damsel was very fair to look
upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her; and she went down to the
fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up. And the servant
ran to meet her, and said: ‘Give me to drink, I pray
thee, a little water of thy pitcher’. And she said: ‘Drink,
my lord’; and she hastened, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave
him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she
said: ‘I will draw for thy camels also, until they have done drinking’. And she hastened, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran
again unto the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. And
the man looked stedfastly on her; holding his peace,
to know whether יְהוָה - the LORD
had made his journey prosperous or not.
Explanation Verses 15-21: Before the servant finishes his prayer, Rebecca appears. Her actions perfectly mirror the sign he requested. Her “alacrity” (running to the well) and her dedication to watering the camels until they finished drinking demonstrate her vigour and her inherent nature of selfless service. The servant watches in silence, discerning if אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has truly made his journey successful.
Verses 22-27: And it came to pass, as the
camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel
weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; and said: ‘Whose daughter art thou? tell
me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?’ And she said unto him: ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel
the son of Milcah, whom she bore unto Nahor’. She said moreover unto him: ‘We
have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in’. And
the man bowed his head, and prostrated himself before יְהוָה
- the LORD. And he
said: ‘Blessed be יְהוָה - the LORD,
the of my master Abraham, who hath not
forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master; as for me, יְהוָה
- the LORD hath led me in the way to
the house of my master's brethren’.
Explanation Verses 22-27: Upon confirming her lineage as the granddaughter of Milcah (Abraham’s sister-in-law), the servant immediately bows in gratitude. He recognises that “The Eternal” has led him straight to the house of his master’s brethren. The jewellery he gives her serves as both a gesture of gratitude and a formal token of the weight of his mission.
Verses 28-33: And the damsel ran, and told
her mother’s house according to these words. And Rebekah
had a brother, and his name was Laban; and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain. And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon
his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying: ‘Thus
spoke the man unto me’, that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the
camels at the fountain. And he said: ‘Come in, thou blessed
of יְהוָה
- the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have
cleared the house, and made room for the camels’. And the
man came into the house, and he ungirded the camels;
and he gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and
the feet of the men that were with him. And there was set
food before him to eat; but he said: ‘I will not eat, until I have told mine
errand’. And he said: ‘Speak on’.
Explanation Verses 28-33: Rebecca runs home to tell her family. Her brother, Laban, notices the gold and the servant’s retinue and invites him in. Despite the long journey and the offer of food, the servant refuses to eat until he has declared his errand. This highlights his absolute loyalty and the urgency of the task; his "work" takes precedence over his physical needs.
Verses 34-35: And he said: ‘I am Abraham’s
servant. And יְהוָה
- 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 men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses’”.
Explanation Verses 34-35: The servant begins his speech by identifying himself simply: “I am Abraham’s servant”. He immediately establishes Abraham’s status, not to brag, but to show that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has greatly blessed his master with flocks, silver, gold, and servants, signifying that the family Isaac belongs to is one of both spiritual merit and material stability.
YYYYYYY
My Closing Message:
This first
portion of the narrative teaches us that while we must put in the physical
effort, the ‘travelling’, the ‘searching’, and the ‘planning success’
ultimately rests on “Heavenly assistance”. Abraham’s faith and the servant’s
focus on character over appearance remind us that the foundations of a home are
built on kindness. When we seek to do what is right for the sake of the future,
the path is often cleared before we even finish our prayer.
YYYYYYY
Please
Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This
site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us,
especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very
much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via
several of our prophets...
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with
you!
Enter ...