New International Version
Genesis 24:2
2He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh.
Genesis 24:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh,
- New King James Version (NKJV)So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh,
- New Living Translation (NLT)One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh.
Context of Genesis 24:2
1Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. 3I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.”
Read all of Genesis 24Genesis 24:2 word by word
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֗ם אֶל־עַבְדּוֹ֙ זְקַ֣ן בֵּית֔וֹ הַמֹּשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֥חַת יְרֵכִֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Abrahamאַבְרָהָם'abrâhâm · AbrahamH85
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto his eldestזָקֵןzâqên · oldH2205
- servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
- of his houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: householdH1004
- that ruled overמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
- all that he had, Putשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: putH7760
- I pray thee, thy handיָדyâd · hand: swearH3027
- under my thighיָרֵךְyârêk · thighH3409
Cross-references for Genesis 24:2
- Genesis 15:2But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- 1 Timothy 5:17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
- Genesis 24:10Then the servant left, taking with him ten of his master’s camels loaded with all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor.
- Genesis 39:4Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
- Genesis 44:1Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack.
- Genesis 24:9So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.
- Genesis 47:29When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt,
- 1 Chronicles 29:24All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon.
Commentaries on Genesis 24:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Eldest servant - As this eldest servant is stated to have been the ruler over all that he had, it is very likely that Eliezer is meant. See Genesis 15:2, Genesis 15:3. Put, I pray thee, thy hand - See note on Genesis 24:9.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-67Verses 1-67 - The Marriage of Isaac 26. קרד qādad “bow the head.” השׁתחוה shâchâh “bow the body.” 29. לבן lābān “Laban, white.” In this circumstantial account of the marriage of Isaac, we have a beautiful picture of ancient manners in the East, the living original of which the present customs of that cradle of mankind are a striking copy. Genesis 24:1-9 Abraham binds the chief servant of his house to seek a wife for his son Isaac among his kindred…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The servant placed his hand under Abraham's thigh (compare 47:29). This was the custom when making a serious oath. The servant accepted the responsibility of completing this mission.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. said unto his eldest servant--Abraham being too old, and as the heir of the promise not being at liberty to make even a temporary visit to his native land, was obliged to intrust this delicate mission to Eliezer, whom, although putting entire confidence in him, he on this occasion bound by a solemn oath. A pastoral chief in the present day would follow the same course if he could not go himself.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 24:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries