Chapter Twenty-Four
In Search of a Wife for Isaac
One can easily wonder why the narrative found in this chapter seemingly slows down and becomes more detailed. As the longest chapter in the book of Genesis, this is not a misperception. In this chapter we will see many models interacting, depicting future personalities and events. The four main characters of this story are Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Abraham’s servant; we will see them as models for God the Father (Abraham offered his ‘only’ son, see Hebrews 11:17-19); Jesus (see Galatians 3:16); the church (the Bride of Christ); and the Holy Spirit (the One that prepares the Bride for Christ) respectively. Any details that we can discover here can aid us in our understanding of the New Testament and the gospel message.
24:1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 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, 3 that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
Abraham was now 140 years old, and he knew that even though he had been blessed by God and received many of God’s promises, he would not receive all the promises given to him in his covenant with God, those would be passed down to his offspring. So, Abraham set into motion the process of finding Isaac a wife. The biggest problem was that there were no suitable wives to be found where they currently lived in Canaan. They would have to go and look in a location whose people shared the same beliefs and faith in God. Being 40 years old, Isaac trusted that his father would make the right choice. Why not go himself? The reason why Isaac did not go search for a wife himself will be easier to understand later in the story since it is a component of the model (remember, the Son of God can only be fully recognized through the aid of the Holy Spirit, who was sent by God the Father).
Throughout the years mankind has fabricated multiple ways to make a binding and serious promise, some involve the shedding and mixing of blood, while others involve several out-of-the-ordinary actions. This promise definitely falls into the latter category and would be considered by most today as being very peculiar. This is the first appearance of the Hebrew word ‘yě’·rěḵ’,[1] the word primarily refers to the thigh region of the human body, it is often thought of as being the “source of life,” which is why it is also often translated as ‘loin’. The word can also refer to the side of someone or something. Here Abraham calls his servant and makes with him, what would be considered a strong and binding oath, by placing the servant’s hand on his thigh while he swears by the name of God, the God of all things. He was promising to find a wife for Isaac, not from the Canaanites, but to go back to Abraham’s country, to the region where his relatives are, over 500 miles away.
Some scholars point out that since the news of Nahor’s family had been recently brought to the attention of Abraham (see Genesis 22:20-24), and knowing that there was no one compatible locally, he may have put this plan in action back at that point, hoping for a compatible relative. We need to remember that God’s intervention and timing are not always obvious, nor are they easy to track back to a starting point.
The servant referenced in these verses will remain nameless throughout this chapter, however, we know that he is oldest of Abraham’s household and was in charge of all that he had. Which sounds like the servant previously described in Genesis 15:2, namely Eliezer, Abraham’s chief servant. If Abraham is a model for God the Father, and Isaac a model for Jesus, it would make sense that Eliezer is a model for the Holy Spirit. One key to understanding the Bible is to recognize that the ministry of the Holy Spirit never includes bringing glory to or for Himself. The primary role of the Holy Spirit is to point people to the redeeming grace of Jesus, to be our teacher in what we need to know about God and to empower those that believe. When Jesus was describing the work of the Holy Spirit, He said: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15) It is interesting to note that the name Eliezer means, “my God is help,” or “God is my help,” a fitting name that describes the role of the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27)
24:5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.
The servant asks a valid question, what should he do if the woman that is selected for Isaac refuses to come back with him. First, Abraham makes it clear that it would be unacceptable to have Isaac leave Canaan (which he never did, see Genesis 26:2-3), so the bride-to-be must be willing to travel to him, not the other way around. Then secondly, Abraham informs the servant that God will send an angel before him, giving him assurance that everything will be as God wants it to be. Perhaps to further ease his mind, Abraham tells him that he would be free from any obligation if the woman chosen is not willing to follow him back to Canaan. The oath was then finalized by the servant putting his hand under the thigh of Abraham.
24:10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor.
The servant took ten camels and various gifts for the bride and her family and traveled to the city of Nahor. The text does not tell us much about the trip north to Mesopotamia (Hebrew word “Ǎrǎm’ nǎ·hǎrǎ’·yim,” meaning “Aram of the two rivers,” which would be equivalent to Mesopotamia, meaning “between the rivers”). We do know that the servant did take some men with him (see Genesis 24:59). The city, apparently named after Abraham’s brother (or may be just the location where Nahor lived), is believed to have been near the city of Haran, which, being over 500 miles away, would mean that more than a few days went by before the beginning of verse eleven.
24:11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”
Upon arrival, they made the camels kneel so they could rest by the water well just outside the city. It was evening and undoubtedly the servant knew that the women of the town would come to draw of water out of the well around this time. But how would he know which one would be the right one? Before any of them arrive, the servant prays to God for guidance. He asks God to provide a sign, one that he developed. The sign would include a likely, but improbable response, since there were several of them, plus they arrived with ten thirsty camels. The woman would need to be willing to draw enough water for all of them.
24:15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the LORD had prospered his journey or not.
Even before the servant was finished with his prayer, God was already answering. This should not surprise anyone as God is outside the realm of time, He created time, therefore He knows everyone’s thoughts and desires even long before they were born. For example, God told Isaiah, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) and later in the New Testament, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed his listeners, “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8) However, this should never be an excuse for not praying.
Rebekah appears at the well and is described as being very attractive and a virgin. The Hebrew word ‘beṯû·lā(h)’[2] (translated here as ‘maiden’), meaning “young woman,” does not necessarily imply being a virgin, which is why the author added the phrase, “whom no man had known,” to clarify this point. Some may ask how did the servant know she was a virgin? The text does not offer an answer, some suggest it was perceived by something she was wearing, or that this fact was perhaps added later by the author. In either case, Rebekah responds favorably to the servant’s request for water. She immediately offered to draw water for his camels, not just once, but until they were each satisfied. Considering that camels can drink somewhere between 30 to 40 plus gallons of water at one time, this was no casual reply (especially when multiplied by ten), this willingness, combined with the fact that Rebekah was at the well before anyone else speaks highly of her work ethic.
The servant watched Rebekah in silence, not saying anything else to make sure that she was the one that God had selected. If she had stopped before finishing the task, he would have known she was not the one.
24:22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD 27 and said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the LORD has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
In appreciation of Rebekah’s exceptional service, the servant gave her one golden ring (Hebrew word ‘ně’·zěm’,[3] which can be a ring for a finger, nose ring or an earring, considered to be ornaments of luxury) weighing one half shekel (one shekel is equivalent to approximately 11 grams), and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. The servant then asks her two questions: the name of her father and if her father has room for him and his fellow servants to stay for the evening. Even if he did not know about the news regarding Abraham’s brother’s family before leaving (see Genesis 22:20-24), upon hearing that the Holy Spirit guided him directly to a member of Abraham’s family, he would certainly have been overwhelmed and undoubtedly overcome with emotion. Seeing that his prayer was promptly answered, he bowed his head and worshiped God, acknowledging God’s love and faithfulness toward Abraham.
From our perspective it may seem presumptuous for the servant to ask about a place to stay, some believe that Rebekah either heard one of the servant’s prayers or that there was something about him that she trusted. In recognizing that she was selected by God to be Isaac’s wife, the servant knew that he would be needing to talk further with her family. Rebekah ran back to her family to tell them about all that had happened. It was common for a child to refer to their home as their mother’s house (see Song of Solomon 3:4; 8:2), although there are several commentators, including Josephus that claim that her father Bethuel was dead and that her brother Laban, along with her mother, were in charge of the family.[4] However, later in verse 50, both Laban and Betheul speak to Abraham’s servant.
24:29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”
After seeing the ring and bracelets and hearing that the servant spoke to Rebekah, Laban ran out towards the well where the servant and the others with him still remained. He asked him why he was still standing there, which may have been a legitimate question since Rebekah, in her excitement to show her family the gifts and tell them about the men, may have left them behind. Laban calls out to the servant of Abraham, “O blessed of the LORD.” Rebekah may have overheard his prayer to God and relayed that information to Laban, in any case, Laban called him a man of God using God’s name, demonstrating that God was still important to that family. Laban then informs the visitors that he has prepared a place for them and their camels to spend the night. Arriving at Rebekah’s and Laban’s home, the men were able to take care of the camels as well as wash their own feet. Shortly afterwards they were offered a meal. But before Abraham’s servant was willing to eat, he wanted the opportunity to talk first. Laban gave him permission to speak before they started the meal.
Many believe that Laban may have been more motivated in obtaining more of the valuable gifts than being a gracious host, based on the less-then-honest interaction later between Laban and his future son-in-law, Jacob.
24:34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35 The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ 39 I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ 40 But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. 41 Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
The servant tells Rebekah and her family about himself and his master, Abraham. He then told them about the need for a wife for his son and about the oath he made with Abraham to find a wife, along with the fact that God would go out ahead of him on this journey. He also included the caveat that any potential wife would have to be willing to travel back with him to Canaan.
24:42 “I came today to the spring and said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, 43 behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” 44 and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45 “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46 She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”
Abraham’s servant then tells them about his request for God’s guidance upon arrival at the well earlier that day, and how Rebekah came to the well before he was done praying. Her response to allow the servant a drink, and her subsequent offer and willingness to give water to his camels, made him realize that she was the one that God had selected for Isaac. The text essentially restates what has already been presented with a few additional details, such as the ring being placed on her nose. This testimony also clearly gives God all the credit, reminding everyone listening that Rebekah was indeed chosen by God. That would be hard to argue against. It was now time to ask the big question, would Rebekah be allowed to go with Abraham’s servant back to Canaan?
24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has spoken.”
It was also evident to Laban and Bethuel that God had directed Abraham’s servant to Rebekah and that she should go with him. Some may wonder why they didn’t ask Rebekah if she wanted to go and marry a total stranger. It was the custom and proper for a person to seek permission from the father, and on occasion their brothers, in regard to marriage. However, the text does relay a heightened sense of enthusiasm in Rebekah, her excitement was probably visually evident and did not need to be asked. She was free to go, or was she?
24:52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the LORD. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!” 61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.
After hearing that Rebekah was allowed to go back with him to Canaan, Abraham’s servant immediately prostrated himself before God, acknowledging His hand in all that has transpired. After worshiping, he got up and brought out gifts of jewelry and clothing for Rebekah as it would have been customary for the father of the groom to provide new clothing and adornments for the bride. He also gave her brother and mother costly gifts (the Hebrew word ‘miḡ·dā·nōṯ’,[5] refers to precious or lavish gifts, the root word implies excellence). They all celebrated over a meal and they stayed one more night. The next day they were ready to begin their trip south. That night the realization of Rebekah leaving must have saddened her family, as they wanted her to stay in town for at least ten more days. After all, there was a good chance that they would never see each other again.
Abraham’s servant insists that they leave that day. The servant’s response may sound cold or perhaps unnecessary, however, God did want him to move on. The word translated here as ‘prospered’, is the Hebrew word ‘hiṣ·lîªḥ’,[6] meaning “to rush” or “break forth.” To break this stalemate, they decided to allow Rebekah to decide. It certainly didn’t take her long to decide, she wanted to go, now! They sent with her Rebekah’s nurse; the Hebrew word implies that she was someone who had suckled Rebekah at birth, her name was Deborah (see Genesis 35:8). The family then sends her off with a blessing that her offspring be in the millions and that they have dominion over their enemies. The women then got on the camels and proceeded to leave.
24:62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Just like the servant’s trek going north to Nahor, the narrative does not include any details regarding the trip south. The story picks up with Isaac returning from Beer-lahai-roi, the location where God spoke to Hagar (see Genesis 16:14), which was in the Negeb region, where he was currently dwelling. Isaac went out in the field in the late afternoon or early evening to meditate (Hebrew word ‘śûªḥ’,[7] understood to mean ‘rehearse’, ‘repent’ or “to go over in one’s mind”). While still out in the field he looked up and saw the caravan coming. Apparently, he was able to recognize who they were as he started to walk towards them.
Rebekah got off her camel (the Hebrew implies that she may have fallen off the camel, perhaps in eager enthusiasm) and asked Abraham’s servant who that was that was approaching them. He replied that is his master. In compliance with the local customs of that time, Rebekah immediately covered her face, essentially letting Isaac know that she was his bride. The servant then informed Isaac about everything that had transpired. Then Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother’s tent, who now assumes the role of being the family’s matriarch. No details are given regarding their marriage, just a quick reference to them being married and that he loved her. The first reference to love in the Bible was that between a parent and a child (see Genesis 22:2) and now the second use of the word relates to the love between a husband and a wife. Apparently feeling inconsolable grief from the loss of his mother after three years, this marriage allowed Isaac to now accept comfort.
Considerations
Many consider the servant’s prayer at the well to be a bit presumptuous. We need to understand that he was not being lazy nor was he out of line by asking for assistance. He knew he was already following God’s will being there, his motive was to do the best job he could and that meant following God’s lead. There is nothing wrong with that, he needed specific instruction, and he sought it with a pure heart and God responded. Plus, God received the credit, which in this case also served as a verification that God was the One that chose Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife.
What can we learn from this prayer? One, we need to ask with a pure heart, our request should always be in alignment with God’s will and not be shrouded by our own agenda. Two, expect an answer. Too many Christians go through the motions of prayer but have no real expectations that God will respond, we need faith that He is listening and will indeed answer (although it may not be what we are asking for specifically, He knows what we need better than we do). Three, we give God all the glory, we are just servants ourselves, He is the One in charge. And then fourth, seek Him in humility, sometimes that means on our knees!
A Model of the Bride of Christ
There are a number of names used in the Bible that point to, or refer to, the church, including the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ.[8] These are references to the universal church (referring to all Christians) not just local churches. In this story we can see a model that points to a yet-future event where the servant plays the role of the Holy Spirit by preparing the bride (a model for the church) for marriage to Isaac (a model of Jesus). The event? That would be the marriage and marriage supper that unites all Christians with Jesus for all eternity (see John 14:2-3; Revelation 19:6-10; 21:1-4).
What is our role? Isaiah once wrote, “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isaiah 64:6) Some commentators like to point out the translation or definition of the phrase, “polluted garment,” let’s just say its not good. This is hard for many religious people to understand, anything and everything people do or try to do for God is nothing more than the equivalent of being a dirty rag to Him. No one can do any better, so we should stop trying! Note that sentence referred to religious people and not Christians. As a Christian the issue is about a relationship with Jesus, not about following protocol or ritual (the very definition of being religious). Jesus did all the work to get us into heaven, there is absolutely nothing we can do that can earn us righteousness. As the One who did everything, He is also the One who provides everything, including our wedding clothes. As the Bride of Christ, we will be dressed in fine linen, ““Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” (Revelation 19:6b-8a). The apostle John continues to say, “for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” (Revelation 19:8b) What righteous deeds? Here again, Jesus did it all, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10) Jesus did all the work, we follow Him and do the things He has called us to do because we love Him, after all He paid for us with His blood. We certainly do not follow protocol or ritual for salvation, nothing we can do can help us there, He did it all, His blood made us stain free!
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[1] Strong’s Hebrew 3409.
[2] Strong’s Hebrew 1330.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 5141.
[4] Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). The works of Josephus: complete and unabridged (p. 45). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[5] Strong’s Hebrew 4030.
[6] Strong’s Hebrew 6743.
[7] Strong’s Hebrew 7742.
[8] See Considerations under Genesis 2:25 for discussion regarding the intimacy of marriage.