< Genesis 24 >

1 And Abraham was old, and well advanced in years: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
Abraham [Father of a multitude] was old, and well stricken in age. Adonai had blessed Abraham [Father of a multitude] in all things.
2 And Abraham said to his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
Abraham [Father of a multitude] said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh.
3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
I will make you swear by Adonai, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites [Descendants of Humbled], among whom I live.
4 But thou shalt go to my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.
But you shall go to my country, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac [Laughter].”
5 And the servant said to him, It may be the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land: must I needs bring thy son again to the land from which you came?
The servant said to him, “What if the woman is not willing to follow me to this land? Must I bring your son again to the land you came from?”
6 And Abraham said to him, Beware that thou bring not my son there again.
Abraham [Father of a multitude] said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again.
7 The LORD God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, To thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from there.
Adonai, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring. He will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son there again.
If the woman is not willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter.
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham [Father of a multitude] his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hands: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
The servant took ten camels, of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down outside the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, the time when women go out to draw water.
He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, prosper me this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
He said, “Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], please give me success today, and show chesed ·loving-kindness· to my master Abraham [Father of a multitude].
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
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; and she shall say, Drink, and I will water thy camels also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and by that shall I know that thou hast shown kindness to my master.
Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ and she will say, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’ —let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac [Laughter]. By this I will know that you have shown chesed ·loving-kindness· to my master.”
15 And it came to pass, before he had finished speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah [Securely bound] came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water from thy pitcher.
The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him a drink.
She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had finished giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, till they have finished drinking.
When she had done giving him drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have done drinking.”
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Adonai had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her wrists of ten shekels weight of gold;
As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel [0.2 oz; 5.67 g], and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels [4 oz; 113.4 g] of gold,
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge in?”
24 And she said to him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.
She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
25 She said moreover to him, We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.
She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”
26 And the man bowed his head, and worshipped the LORD.
The man bowed his head, and worshiped Adonai.
27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left my master destitute of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
He said, “Blessed be Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], who has not forsaken his chesed ·loving-kindness· and his truth toward my master. As for me, Adonai has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
28 And the damsel ran, and told these things to her mother’s house.
The young lady ran, and told her mother’s house about these words.
29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out to the man, to the well.
Rebekah [Securely bound] had a brother, and his name was Laban [White]. Laban [White] ran out to the man, to the spring.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spoke the man to me; that he came to the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he sh'ma ·heard obeyed· the words of Rebekah [Securely bound] his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he came to the man. Behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; why standest thou outside? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
He said, “Come in, you blessed of Adonai. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.”
32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that were with him.
The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 And there was set food before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told my errand. And he said, Speak on.
Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” He said, “Speak on.”
34 And he said, I am Abraham’s servant.
He said, “I am Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s servant.
35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and male and female servants, and camels, and donkeys.
Adonai has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old: and to him hath he given all that he hath.
Sarah [Princess], my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him.
37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites [Descendants of Humbled], in whose land I live,
38 But thou shalt go to my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son.
but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’
39 And I said to my master, It may be the woman will not follow me.
I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’
40 And he said to me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house:
He said to me, ‘Adonai, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house.
41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
Then will you be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’
42 And I came this day to the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou dost prosper my way which I go:
I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], if now you do prosper my way which I go—
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
44 And she saith to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed for my master’s son.
and she will tell me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”— let her be the woman whom Adonai has appointed for my master’s son.’
45 And before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well, and drew water: and I said to her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah [Securely bound] came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will water thy camels also: so I drank, and she watered the camels also.
She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her wrists.
I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.
48 And I bowed my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son.
I bowed my head, and worshiped Adonai, and blessed Adonai, the God of my master Abraham [Father of a multitude], who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter for his son.
49 And now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
Now if you will deal with chesed ·loving-kindness· and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak to thee bad or good.
Then Laban [White] and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Adonai. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
Behold, Rebekah [Securely bound] is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Adonai has spoken.”
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
When Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s servant sh'ma ·heard obeyed· their words, he bowed himself down to the earth to Adonai.
53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah [Securely bound]. He also gave precious things to her brother and her mother.
54 And they ate and drank, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose in the morning, and he said, Send me away to my master.
They ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed all night. They rose up in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
56 And he said to them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
He said to them, “Don’t hinder me, since Adonai has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.”
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
58 And they called Rebekah, and said to her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
They called Rebekah [Securely bound], and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.
They sent away Rebekah [Securely bound], their sister, with her nurse, Abraham [Father of a multitude]’s servant, and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those who hate them.
They blessed Rebekah [Securely bound], and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Rebekah [Securely bound] arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah [Securely bound], and went his way.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
Isaac [Laughter] came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi [Well of the one who lives and sees], for he lived in the land of the South.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at evening: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
Isaac [Laughter] went out to meditate in the field at the evening. 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 got off the camel.
Rebekah [Securely bound] lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac [Laughter], she dismounted from the camel.
65 For she had said to the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself.
She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
The servant told Isaac [Laughter] all the things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Isaac [Laughter] brought her into his mother Sarah [Princess]’s tent, and took Rebekah [Securely bound], and she became his wife. He 'ahav ·affectionately loved· her. Isaac [Laughter] was comforted after his mother’s death.

< Genesis 24 >