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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/24-1.htm" title="Genesis 24:1">◄</a> Genesis 24:2 <a href="/genesis/24-3.htm" title="Genesis 24:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/24.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/24.htm">New International Version</a> He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, &#8220Put your hand under my thigh. <a href="/nlt/genesis/24.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. <a href="/esv/genesis/24.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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, <a href="/bsb/genesis/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/kjv/genesis/24.htm">King James Bible</a> And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: <a href="/nkjv/genesis/24.htm">New King James Version</a> So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, <a href="/nasb_/genesis/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/nasb/genesis/24.htm">NASB 1995</a> Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, &#8220Please place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/nasb77/genesis/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/lsb/genesis/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who ruled over all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/amp/genesis/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Abraham said to his servant [Eliezer of Damascus], the oldest of his household, who had charge over all that Abraham owned, “Please, put your hand under my thigh [as is customary for affirming a solemn oath], <a href="/csb/genesis/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/hcsb/genesis/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household who managed all he owned, &#8220Place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/asv/genesis/24.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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: <a href="/cev/genesis/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One day, Abraham called in his most trusted servant and said to him, "Solemnly promise me <a href="/erv/genesis/24.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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: <a href="/gwt/genesis/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So Abraham said to the senior servant of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, "Take a solemn oath. <a href="/gnt/genesis/24.htm">Good News Translation</a> He said to his oldest servant, who was in charge of all that he had, "Place your hand between my thighs and make a vow. <a href="/isv/genesis/24.htm">International Standard Version</a> So Abraham instructed his servant, who was the oldest member of his household and in charge of everything he owned, "Make this solemn oath to me <a href="/msb/genesis/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/net/genesis/24.htm">NET Bible</a> Abraham said to his servant, the senior one in his household who was in charge of everything he had, "Put your hand under my thigh <a href="/nheb/genesis/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household, who was in charge over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh, <a href="/wbt/genesis/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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: <a href="/web/genesis/24.htm">World English Bible</a> Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please put your hand under my thigh. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Abraham says to his servant, the eldest of his house, who is ruling over all that he has, “Please put your hand under my thigh, <a href="/ylt/genesis/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Abraham saith unto his servant, the eldest of his house, who is ruling over all that he hath, 'Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, <a href="/slt/genesis/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Abraham will say to the old man of his house ruling over all which is to him, Put now thy hand under my thigh.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to the elder servant of his house, who was ruler over all he had: Put thy hand under my thigh, <a href="/cpdv/genesis/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said to the elder servant of his house, who was in charge of all that he had: “Place your hand under my thigh, <a href="/nabre/genesis/24.htm">New American Bible</a> Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions: “Put your hand under my thigh, <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his house, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Abraham called his eldest servant, the steward of his house, who was in charge of everything that he had; and he said to him, Put your hand under my girdle; <a href="/hpbt/genesis/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Abraham called his old Servant, the Chief in his house, who was authorized in everything that he had, and he said to him, “Put your hand under my loins:<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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. <a href="/sep/genesis/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Abraam said to his servant the elder of his house, who had rule over all his possessions, Put thy hand under my thigh, <a href="/parallel/genesis/24-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=5186" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/24.htm">A Wife for Isaac</a> 1By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2<a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">So Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">instructed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: zə·qan (Adj-msc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">the chief</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·dōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of his household,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4910.htm" title="4910: ham·mō·šêl (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To rule, have dominion, reign. A primitive root; to rule.">who managed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all he owned,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śîm- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">“Place</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">your hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/3409.htm" title="3409: yə·rê·ḵî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh; by euphem. The generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side.">my thigh,</a> 3and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a> But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” <a href="/genesis/39-4.htm">Genesis 39:4</a> Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. <a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">Genesis 47:29</a> When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, <a href="/genesis/50-4.htm">Genesis 50:4-5</a> When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please tell Pharaoh that / my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.” <a href="/1_kings/1-13.htm">1 Kings 1:13-17</a> Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ / Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.” / So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him. ... <a href="/1_kings/2-1.htm">1 Kings 2:1-4</a> As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, / “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. / And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn, ... <a href="/2_samuel/23-1.htm">2 Samuel 23:1-3</a> These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: / The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. / The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, <a href="/exodus/24-13.htm">Exodus 24:13</a> So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God. <a href="/numbers/12-7.htm">Numbers 12:7</a> But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. <a href="/1_chronicles/28-1.htm">1 Chronicles 28:1</a> Now David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials and mighty men—every mighty man of valor. <a href="/matthew/8-9.htm">Matthew 8:9</a> For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.” <a href="/matthew/10-24.htm">Matthew 10:24</a> A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Matthew 24:45-47</a> Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. <a href="/luke/7-8.htm">Luke 7:8</a> For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.” <a href="/luke/12-42.htm">Luke 12:42-44</a> And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Abraham said to his oldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh:eldest.<a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a> And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?<a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17</a> Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.ruled.<a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">Genesis 24:10</a> And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.<a href="/genesis/39-4.htm">Genesis 39:4-6,8,9</a> And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand… <a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Genesis 44:1</a> And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.Put.<a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Genesis 24:9</a> And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.<a href="/genesis/47-29.htm">Genesis 47:29</a> And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:<a href="/1_chronicles/29-24.htm">1 Chronicles 29:24</a> And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/24-1.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/genesis/10-21.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/romans/8-29.htm">Eldest</a> <a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/23-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/20-18.htm">Household</a> <a href="/romans/16-23.htm">Manager</a> <a href="/genesis/22-21.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/acts/4-37.htm">Owned</a> <a href="/genesis/23-13.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/23-20.htm">Property</a> <a href="/revelation/3-3.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/revelation/22-5.htm">Ruling</a> <a href="/genesis/22-24.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Thigh</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/24-6.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/26-5.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Eldest</a> <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/24-7.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/24-28.htm">Household</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">Manager</a> <a href="/genesis/27-15.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/genesis/25-5.htm">Owned</a> <a href="/genesis/24-12.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/25-5.htm">Property</a> <a href="/genesis/41-40.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/genesis/36-31.htm">Ruling</a> <a href="/genesis/24-5.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Thigh</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 24</div>1. <a href="/genesis/24-1.htm">Abraham swears his servant.</a> 10. <a href="/genesis/24-10.htm">The servant's journey.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/24-12.htm">His prayer.</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/24-14.htm">His sign.</a> 15. <a href="/genesis/24-15.htm">Rebekah meets him;</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/24-18.htm">fulfils his sign;</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/24-22.htm">receives jewels;</a> 23. <a href="/genesis/24-23.htm">shows her kindred;</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/24-25.htm">and invites him home.</a> 26. <a href="/genesis/24-26.htm">The servant blesses God.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/24-29.htm">Laban entertains him.</a> 34. <a href="/genesis/24-34.htm">The servant shows his message.</a> 50. <a href="/genesis/24-50.htm">Laban and Bethuel approve it.</a> 58. <a href="/genesis/24-58.htm">Rebekah consents to go, and departs.</a> 62. <a href="/genesis/24-62.htm">Isaac meets and marries her.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/24.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>So Abraham instructed The phrase begins with Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelite nation, taking decisive action. The Hebrew root for "instructed" is "tsavah," which implies a command or charge. This highlights Abraham's authority and the seriousness of the task at hand. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, such instructions were not merely suggestions but carried the weight of a binding obligation.the chief servant of his household The "chief servant" is traditionally understood to be Eliezer of Damascus, as mentioned in <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a>. The Hebrew term "eved" is used for servant, which can also mean "slave" or "bondservant." This indicates a position of trust and responsibility, as this servant managed all of Abraham's possessions. The role of a chief servant was akin to a steward, reflecting a hierarchical structure within Abraham's household, which was common in ancient patriarchal societies.who managed all he owned This phrase underscores the servant's significant role and the trust Abraham placed in him. The Hebrew word "mashal" means to have dominion or rule over, indicating that this servant had comprehensive control over Abraham's estate. This level of responsibility suggests a deep bond of trust and loyalty, which is crucial for the task Abraham is about to assign.Place your hand under my thigh This gesture is a culturally significant act in the ancient Near East, symbolizing a solemn oath. The Hebrew word "yarek" refers to the thigh, which is associated with strength and progeny. By placing his hand under Abraham's thigh, the servant is swearing by Abraham's future descendants, invoking a sacred trust. This act is akin to a modern-day legal contract, emphasizing the gravity and binding nature of the promise being made. It reflects the deep spiritual and familial implications of the mission to find a wife for Isaac, ensuring the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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 (<a href="/genesis/15-2.htm" title="And Abram said, LORD God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?">Genesis 15:2</a>), but this was probably a younger man.Put . . . thy hand under my thigh.--As Jacob requires that Joseph should swear to him in the same manner (<a href="/genesis/47-29.htm" title="And the time drew near that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, If now I have found grace in your sight, put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray you, in Egypt:">Genesis 47:29</a>), this form of oath was evidently regarded as a very solemn one. The meaning of it has been much discussed, but we find the thigh in <a href="/genesis/46-26.htm" title="All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were three score and six;">Genesis 46:26</a>, <a href="/exodus/1-5.htm" title="And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.">Exodus 1:5</a>--in both which places it is rendered loins--used as the source of posterity. Probably, therefore, as Tuch argues, it is an euphemistic manner of describing the circumcised member, which was to be touched by the hand placed beneBeware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.--The betrothal of Isaac and Rebekah is told with the utmost exactness of detail, because it contained two principles of primary importance to Abraham's posterity: the first, that they were not to allow themselves to be merged among the Canaanites, but remain a distinct people; for this intermarriage with women of their own race was only a means to an end, and not a binding law, to be observed for its own sake. And secondly, that under no circumstances might they return to Mesopotamia, but must cling devotedly to the land of which God had promised them the possession. We learn from <a href="/genesis/24-8.htm" title="And if the woman will not be willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.">Genesis 24:8</a> that this second point was regarded by Abraham as even more important than the first; and with reason. For the race might remain distinct even if Isaac took a woman of Palestine to wife, though there would be the risk of religious deterioration; but if they returned to Padanaram they were certain to be absorbed, and could look for no higher lot than that attained to by Laban's descendants. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 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 (Gesenius, p. 252), - and is probably to be so understood here. Eliezer of Damascus, upwards of half a century previous regarded as heir presumptive to Abraham's house (<a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a>), is commonly considered the official meant, though the point is of no importance - Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: and I will make thee swear. This ancient form of adjuration, which is mentioned again only in chap. 47:29, and to which nothing analogous can elsewhere be discovered, - the practice alleged to exist among the modern Egyptian Bedouins of placing the hand upon the membrum virile in solemn forms of asseveration not forming an exact parallel, was probably originated by the patriarch. The thigh, as the source of posterity (cf. <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a>; <a href="/genesis/46-26.htm">Genesis 46:26</a>; <a href="/exodus/1-5.htm">Exodus 1:5</a>), has been regarded as pointing to Abraham's future descendants (Keil, Kalisch, Lange), and in particular to Christ, the promised seed (Theodoret, Jerome, Augustine, Luther, Ainsworth, Bush, Wordsworth), and the oath to be equivalent to a swearing by him that was to come. By others the thigh has been viewed as euphemistically put for the generative organ, upon which the sign of circumcision was placed, and the oath as an adjuration by the sign of the covenant (Jonathan, Jarchi, Tuch). A third interpretation considers the thigh as symbolizing lordship or authority, and the placing of the hand under it as tantamount to an oath of fealty and allegiance to a superior (Aben Ezra, Rosenmüller, Calvin, Murphy). Other explanations are modifications of the above. By the Lord (Jehovah; since the marriage to which this solemn adjuration was preliminary was not an ordinary alliance, such as might have taken place under the providence of Elohim, but the wedding of the heir of the promise), the God of heaven, and the God of the earth (a clause defining Jehovah as the supreme Lord of the universe, and therefore as the sole Arbiter of human destiny), that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son - not investing him with authority to provide a wife for Isaac in the event of death carrying him (Abraham) off before his son's marriage, but simply explaining the negative side of the commission with which he was about to be entrusted. If it evinced Isaac's gentle disposition and submissive piety, that though forty years of age he neither thought of marriage, but mourned in devout contemplation for his mother (,Lange), nor offered resistance to his father s proposal, but suffered himself to be governed by a servant (Calvin), it was also quite in accordance with ancient practice that parents should dispose of their children in marriage (cf. <a href="/genesis/28-2.htm">Genesis 28:2</a>) - of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell. Being prompted to this partly by that jealousy with which all pastoral tribes of Shemitie origin have been accustomed to guard the purity of their race by intermarriage (Dykes; cf. Thomson, 'Land and Book,' p. 591), and partly no doubt by his perception of the growing licentiousness of the Canaanites, as well as his knowledge of their predicted doom, though chiefly, it is probable, by a desire to preserve the purity of the promised seed. Intermarriage with the Canaanites was afterwards forbidden by the Mosaic legislation (<a href="/exodus/34-16.htm">Exodus 34:16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3</a>). But (literally, for, i.e. the former thing must not be done because this must be done) thou shalt go unto my country (not Ur of the Chaldees, but the region beyond the Euphrates generally), and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. Though enforced by religious considerations, this injunction to bring none but a relative for Isaac's bride "was in no sense a departure from established usages and social laws in regard to marriage" ('Land and Book,' p. 591). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/24-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So Abraham אַבְרָהָ֗ם (’aḇ·rā·hām) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation instructed וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say the chief זְקַ֣ן (zə·qan) Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> Old servant עַבְדּוֹ֙ (‘aḇ·dōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant of his household, בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house who managed הַמֹּשֵׁ֖ל (ham·mō·šêl) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4910.htm">Strong's 4910: </a> To rule, have dominion, reign all he owned, בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every “Place שִֽׂים־ (śîm-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set your hand יָדְךָ֖ (yā·ḏə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand under תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of my thigh, יְרֵכִֽי׃ (yə·rê·ḵî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3409.htm">Strong's 3409: </a> Thigh,loin, flank, side <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/24-2.htm">OT Law: Genesis 24:2 Abraham said to his servant the elder (Gen. 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