Genesis 24:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 24:1-9

Three things we may observe here concerning Abraham:? I. The care he took of a good son, to get him married, well married. It was high time to think of it now, for Isaac was about forty years old, and it had been customary with his ancestors to marry at thirty, or sooner, Gen. 11:14, 18, 22, 24. Abraham believed the promise of the building up of his family, and therefore did not make haste; not more haste than good speed. Two considerations moved him to think of it now (Gen. 24:1):?1. That he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:3

And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of earth ,.... The Maker and possessor of heaven and earth, by whom Abraham used to swear whenever he did, and by whom only men should swear, see Genesis 14:22 . The Targum of Jonathan is,"I will make thee swear by the name of the Word of the Lord God,'which strengthens the sense given of the rite before observed: that thou wilt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:3

I will make thee swear - See note on Genesis 24:9 . Of the Canaanites - Because these had already been devoted to slavery, etc., and it would have been utterly inconsistent as well with prudence as with the design of God to have united the child and heir of the promise with one who was under a curse, though that curse might be considered to be only of a political nature. See the curse of Canaan, Genesis 9:25 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 24:3

Verse 3 3.That thou shalt not take a wife. The kind of discipline which prevailed in Abraham’s house is here apparent. Although this man was but a servant, yet, because he was put in authority by the master of the family, his servile condition did not prevent him from being next in authority to his lord; so that Isaac himself, the heir and successor of Abraham, submitted to his direction. To such an extent did the authority of Abraham and reverence for him prevail, that when he substituted a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 24:1-9

A bride for the heir.-1. Abraham and Eliezer, or the mission for the bride. I. THE TRUSTY MESSENGER . 1. His designation . 2. His qualification . II. THE IMPORTANT COMMISSION . 1. The purport of it. "To take a wife for Isaac." A step of greatest moment for the happiness of Isaac, the fulfillment of the promise, and the onward development of the Church. 2. The reason of it. III. THE SOLEMN ADJURATION . 1. The motto of the oath. "Put, I ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 24:1-67

The unfolding of the Divine purpose. I. THE EXPANDED BLESSING . The first line of the web of sacred history stretches itself out to Mesopotamia. The aged patriarch, blessed of Jehovah in all things, is fading from our sight. We must look on a new generation and see the blessing expanded. II. THE DIVINE GUIDANCE . The angel shall be sent before Isaac, and he will overrule the events and wills which seem to stand in the way. The marriage of Isaac was a matter of most solemn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 24:2-4

And Abraham said auto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, —literally, to his servant, the old man, ancient or elder, of his house, the ruler over all which (sc. belonged) to him . The term זָקֵן (an old man) is in most languages employed as a title of honor,—cf. sheikh, senatus, γέρων , presbyter, signor, seigneur, senor, sir,—and is probably to be so understood here. Eliezer of Damascus, upwards of half a century previous regarded as heir... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 24:1-67

- The Marriage of Isaac26. 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 24:1-9Abraham binds the chief servant of his house to seek a wife for his son Isaac among his kindred. The first movement in this matrimonial arrangement is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 24:3

Genesis 24:3. I will make thee swear This was both for Abraham’s own satisfaction, and to engage his servant to all possible care and diligence in this important business. Thus God swears his servants to their work, that, having sworn, they may perform it. By the Lord, (Hebrews Jehovah,) the God of heaven and the God of earth Observe with what reverence Abraham speaks of God, and with what solemnity this oath is administered and taken! And see how careful Abraham is that his son should... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 24:1-67

A wife for Isaac (24:1-67)Since Isaac would succeed Abraham as heir to the land of Canaan and ancestor of the promised nation, Abraham required two things concerning him. First, he was not to leave Canaan; second, he was not to marry one of the Canaanites, as they were under God’s judgment. Abraham therefore sent his chief servant (possibly Eliezer; see 15:2) on a long journey to Paddan-aram in north-western Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham’s relatives there (24:1-9).The... read more

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