Genesis 24:2 KJV

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 24:2

eldest servant. Probably Eleazar of Dan 15:2 . thigh. According to the Midrash and ancient Jewish expositors, a Euphemism ( App-6 ) for the organs of generation, as most sacred. According to Ibn Ezra and present Indian custom, on the thigh is a token of subjection. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 24:1-9

I. Abraham Sends a Messenger to Procure Isaac's Bride"And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and Jehovah 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 Jehovah, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: but thou shalt go unto my country,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 24:2

Genesis 24:2. His eldest servant— It is generally believed that this was Eliezer, mentioned in ch. Genesis 15:2. And as the Hebrew word זקן zaken, rendered eldest, signifies a governor, intendant, or steward of a family, (Genesis 50:7. Numbers 11:16; Numbers 11:35.) many interpreters render it, And Abraham said to one of his servants, who was the steward or governor of his house. Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh— This is the first time we meet with this manner of taking an oath in... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 24:2

2. 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 more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 24:1-9

The thigh may be a euphemism for the genitals (Genesis 24:2). [Note: Ibid., p. 254; cf. Waltke, Genesis, p. 327.] The ancients considered the "thigh" to be the source of posterity and the seat of power (cf. Genesis 47:29)."By putting his hand under Abraham’s thigh, the servant was touching his genitals and thus giving the oath a special solemnity. In the ancient Orient, solemn oaths could be taken holding some sacred object in one’s hand, as it is still customary to take an oath on the Bible... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:1-67

The Marriage of Isaac and RebekahA charming picture of patriarchal marriage customs. It is very characteristic of the Primitive source.2. Put.. thy hand under my thigh] a form of taking an oath, only mentioned again in Genesis 47:29. ’It is from the thighs that one’s descendants come, so that to take an oath with one hand under the thigh would be equivalent to calling upon these descendants to maintain an oath which has been fulfilled, and to avenge one which has been broken’ (D.). Modern... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 24:2

(2) Unto his eldest servant of his house.—Heb., his servant, the elder of his house. It is the name of an office; and though one holding so confidential a post would be a man of ripe years, yet it is not probable that Abraham would send any one who was not still vigorous on so distant a journey. Eliezer of Damascus had held a similar office fifty-five years previously (Genesis 15:2), but this was probably a younger man.Put . . . thy hand under my thigh.—As Jacob requires that Joseph should... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 24:1-67

Rebekah the Farseeing Genesis 24:0 I. In the case of Sarah the real drama opens with married life. In the case of Rebekah it opens with the proposal of marriage. The offer comes from Isaac. When she sees the servant approaching she has no idea of his errand. But Rebekah has a wonderful talisman against such surprise an astonishing power of putting herself instantaneously in the place of those to whom she is speaking. II. There is a peculiarity about Rebekah's sympathetic insight. It is not... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:1-67

ISAAC’S MARRIAGEGenesis 24:1-67"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."- Proverbs 31:30."WHEN a son has attained the age of twenty years, his father, if able, should marry him, and then take his hand and say, I have disciplined thee, and taught thee, and married thee; I now seek refuge with God from thy mischief in the present world and the next." This Mohammedan tradition expresses with tolerable accuracy the idea of the Eastern world,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 24:1-67

CHAPTER 24 The Bride Sought for Isaac 1. The commission to the servant (Genesis 24:1-9 ) 2. The obedience and prayer of the servant (Genesis 24:10-14 ) 3. The prayer answered (Genesis 24:15-21 ) 4. The gifts of the servant (Genesis 24:22-26 ) 5. The servant received (Genesis 24:27-33 ) 6. The servant’s message (Genesis 24:34-36 ) 7. The commission and answered prayer stated (Genesis 24:37-49 ) 8. The bride chosen (Genesis 24:50-60 ) 9. The journey to meet Isaac. (Genesis 24:61... read more