Genesis 24
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God’s Word Translation

Genesis 24:33-53

33When the food was put in front of him, he said, “I won’t eat until I’ve said what I have to say.” “Speak up,” Laban said.

34“I am Abraham’s servant,” he said.

35“The Lord has blessed my master, and he has become wealthy. The Lord has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys.

36My master’s wife Sarah gave him a son in her old age, and my master has given that son everything he has.

37My master made me swear this oath: ‘Don’t get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I’m living.

38Instead, go to my father’s home and to my relatives, and get my son a wife.’

39“I asked my master, ‘What if the woman won’t come back with me?’

40“He answered me, ‘I have been living the way the Lord wants me to. The Lord will send his angel with you to make your trip successful. You will get my son a wife from my relatives and from my father’s family.

41Then you will be free from your oath to me. You will also be free of your oath to me if my relatives are not willing to do this when you go to them.’

42“When I came to the spring today, I prayed, ‘Lord God of my master Abraham, please make my trip successful.

43I’m standing by the spring. I’ll say to the young woman who comes out to draw water, “Please give me a drink of water.”

44If she says to me, “Not only may you have a drink, but I will also draw water for your camels,” let her be the woman the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.’

45“Before I had finished praying, Rebekah came with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water. “So I asked her, ‘May I have a drink?’

46She quickly lowered her jar and said, ‘Have a drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

47“Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ “She answered, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor and Milcah.’ “I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.

48I knelt, bowing down to the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham. The Lord led me in the right direction to get the daughter of my master’s relative for his son.

49Tell me whether or not you’re going to show my master true kindness so that I will know what to do.”

50Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord. We can’t say anything to you one way or another.

51Here’s Rebekah! Take her and go! She will become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has said.”

52When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the Lord.

53The servant took out gold and silver jewelry and clothes and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive presents to her brother and mother.

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Commentaries on Genesis 24

God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society