Genesis 24:10-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 24:10-28

Abraham's servant now begins to make a figure in this story; and, though he is not named, yet much is here recorded to his honour, and for an example to all servants, who shall be honoured if, by faithfully serving God and their masters, they adorn the doctrine of Christ (compare Prov. 27:18; Titus 2:10); for there is no respect of persons with God, Col. 3:24, 25. A good servant that makes conscience of the duty of his place, and does it in the fear of God, though he make not a figure in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:10

And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master , and departed ,.... Camels were much in use in the eastern countries; where, as Pliny F15 Nat. Hist. l. 7. c. 18. says, they were brought up among their herds of cattle, and their riches much consisted in them. Arabia abounded with them; Job had three thousand of them, Job 1:3 ; how many Abraham had is not said, only ten of them his servant took, being sufficient for his present purpose, and which he took with his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:11

And he made his camels to kneel down ,.... Which these creatures are used to do when they are loaded and unloaded, and also when they take rest, and it was for the sake of the latter they were now made to kneel. It seems that this is what is not natural to them, but what they are learned to do: it is said F18 Calmet's Dictionary in the word "Camel". ,"as soon as a camel is born they tie his four feet under his belly, put a carpet over his back, and stones upon the borders of it, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:12

And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham ,.... He does not call the Lord his God, though no doubt he was, since he appears throughout the whole to be a good man; but the God of Abraham, because God had often manifested and renewed his covenant with Abraham in an eminent manner, and had bestowed many favours upon him, and admitted him to much nearness and communion with him; and it was not on his own account, but on his master's business he now was: I pray thee, send me good speed this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:13

Behold, I stand here by the well of water ,.... Wishing, hoping, and expecting that something would turn out that would direct and instruct what further to do, and that would lead on to the business he came about: and the daughters of the men of the city came out to draw water ; which was the usual custom in those parts about that time. So Homer speaks F23 Odyss. 10. ver. 109. of meeting a girl before the city υδρευουση , drawing or fetching water. And this was a principal... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:14

And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say , let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink ,.... The pitcher of water she should have upon her shoulder, after she had drawn it out of the well: and she shall say, drink, and I will give thy camels drink also ; not only very readily and courteously invite him to drink himself but also propose to draw water for his camels too: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac ; to be his... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:10

Verse 10 10.And the servant took ten camels. He takes the camels with him, to prove that Abraham is a man of great wealth, in order that he may the more easily obtain what he desires. For even an open-hearted girl would not easily suffer herself to be drawn away to a distant region, unless on the proposed condition of being supplied with the conveniences of life. Exile itself is sad enough, without poverty as its attendant. Therefore, that the maid might not be deterred by the apprehension of... read more

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