Genesis 24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:7

The Lord God, etc. - He expresses the strongest confidence in God, that the great designs for which he had brought him from his own kindred to propagate the true religion in the earth would be accomplished; and that therefore, when earthly instruments failed, heavenly ones should be employed. He shall send his angel, probably meaning the Angel of the Covenant, of whom see Genesis 15:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:9

Put his hand under the thigh of Abraham - This form of swearing has greatly puzzled the commentators; but it is useless to detail opinions which I neither believe myself, nor would wish my readers to credit. I believe the true sense is given in the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, and that called the Jerusalem Targum. In the former it is said, Put now thy hand מהולתי בגזית bigzirath mehulathi , in sectione circumcisionis meoe ; in the latter קימי ירך תחות techoth yerech keyami , sub... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:10

Took ten camels - It appears that Abraham had left the whole management of this business to the discretion of his servant, to take with him what retinue and what dowry he pleased; for it is added, All the goods of his master were in his hand; and in those times it was customary to give a dowry for a wife, and not to receive one with her. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:11

He made his camels to kneel down - To rest themselves, or lie down, as the Septuagint has very properly expressed it, Και εκοιμισε τας καμηλους . The time that women go out to draw water - In Bengal it is the universal practice for the women to go to pools and rivers to fetch water. Companies of four, six, ten, or more, may be seen in every town daily going to fetch water, with the pitchers resting upon their sides; and, on their return from bathing, women frequently bring water home -... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:12

And he said, O Lord God, etc. - "The conduct of this servant," says Dr. Dodd, "appears no less pious than rational. By supplicating for a sign, he acknowledges God to be the great superintendent and director of the universe, and of that event in particular; and at the same time, by asking a natural sign, such as betokened humanity, condescension, and other qualities which promised a discreet and virtuous wife, he puts his prayer upon such a discreet, rational footing, as to be a proper... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:15

Behold, Rebekah came out - How admirably had the providence of God adapted every circumstance to the necessity of the case, and so as in the most punctual manner to answer the prayer which his servant had offered up! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:19

I will draw water for thy camels also - Had Rebekah done no more than Eliezer had prayed for, we might have supposed that she acted not as a free agent, but was impelled to it by the absolutely controlling power of God; but as she exceeds all that was requested, we see that it sprang from her native benevolence, and sets her conduct in the most amiable point of view. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:21

The man, wondering at her - And he was so lost in wonder and astonishment at her simplicity, innocence, and benevolence, that he permitted this delicate female to draw water for ten camels, without ever attempting to afford her any kind of assistance! I know not which to admire most, the benevolence and condescension of Rebekah, or the cold and apparently stupid indifference of the servant of Abraham. Surely they are both of an uncommon cast. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:22

The man took a golden ear-ring - זהב נזם nezem zahab . That this could not be an ear-ring is very probable from its being in the singular number. The margin calls it a jewel for the forehead; but it most likely means a jewel for the nose, or nose-ring, which is in universal use through all parts of Arabia and Persia, particularly among young women. They are generally worn in the left nostril. The word is very properly translated επιρῥινιον , an ornament for the nose, by Symmachus. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:26

Bowed down his head, and worshipped - Two acts of adoration are mentioned here; Bowing the head, יקד yikkod ; and Prostration upon the earth, וישתחו vaiyishtaehu . The bowing of the head was to Rebekah, to return her thanks for her kind invitation. The prostration was to Jehovah, in gratitude for the success with which he had favored him. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:26

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