1Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. (Ge 13:2; Ge 24:35)2And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, (Ge 15:2; Ge 24:9; Ge 47:29)3that 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, (Ge 26:34; Ge 27:46; De 7:3; 2Co 6:14)4but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Ge 28:2)5The 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?”6Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there.7The 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. (Ge 12:1; Ge 12:7; Ex 23:20; Ex 23:23; Ex 33:2; Heb 1:14)8But 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.” (Jos 2:17)9So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter. (Ge 24:2)10Then 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[1] to the city of Nahor. (De 23:4; Jud 3:8)11And 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. (1Sa 9:11; Joh 4:7)12And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. (Ge 24:27; Ge 24:42; Ge 24:48; Ge 27:20)13Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. (Ge 24:43)14Let 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[2] I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” (Ge 15:8)15Before 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. (Ge 11:29; Ge 22:23)16The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden[3] whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. (Ge 26:7)17Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.”18She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink.19When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”20So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels.21The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not.22When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel,[4] and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,23and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”24She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” (Ge 22:23; Ge 24:15)25She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.”26The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord (Ge 24:48; Ge 24:52; Ex 4:31)27and 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.” (Ge 24:12; Ge 24:42; Ge 24:48; Ge 32:10; Ps 98:3)28Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.29Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. (Ge 25:20; Ge 28:2; Ge 29:5)30As 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.31He 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.” (Ge 26:29; Jud 17:2; Ru 3:10)32So 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. (Ge 18:4; Ge 43:24; Jud 19:21)33Then 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.”34So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.35The 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. (Ge 24:1)36And 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. (Ge 21:2; Ge 25:5)37My 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, (Ge 24:3)38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’39I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’40But 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. (Ge 17:1; Ge 24:21)41Then 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.’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, (Ge 24:12; Ge 24:27; Ge 24:40)43behold, 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,” (Ge 24:13)44and 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.’ (Ge 24:14; Ge 24:18)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.’ (1Sa 1:13)46She 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.47Then 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. (Eze 16:11)48Then 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[5] to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. (Ge 22:23; Ge 24:26; Ge 24:42; Ge 24:52)49Now 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.” (Ge 47:29; Jos 2:14)50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. (Ge 31:24; 2Sa 13:22)51Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.” (Ge 24:13; Ge 24:42)52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. (Ge 24:48)53And 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.54And 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.” (Ge 24:56; Ge 24:59)55Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.”56But 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.”57They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.”58And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”59So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men. (Ge 35:8)60And 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!”[6] (Ge 17:16; Ge 22:17)61Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.62Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. (Ge 16:14; Ge 25:11)63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. (Ps 77:12; Ps 143:5)64And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel65and 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.66And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.67Then 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. (Ge 23:2; Ge 37:35; Ge 38:12)
Genesis 24
New International Version
Isaac and Rebekah
1Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.2He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, ‘Put your hand under my thigh.3I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living,4but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.’5The servant asked him, ‘What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?’6‘Make sure that you do not take my son back there,’ Abraham said.7‘The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, “To your offspring[1] I will give this land” – he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there.8If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.’9So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.10Then the servant left, taking with him ten of his master’s camels loaded with all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim[2] and made his way to the town of Nahor.11He made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was towards evening, the time the women go out to draw water.12Then he prayed, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.13See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.14May it be that when I say to a young woman, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too” – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.’15Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.16The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.17The servant hurried to meet her and said, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar.’18‘Drink, my lord,’ she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.19After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.’20So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.21Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.22When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka[3] and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.[4]23Then he asked, ‘Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?’24She answered him, ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milkah bore to Nahor.’25And she added, ‘We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.’26Then the man bowed down and worshipped the Lord,27saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.’28The young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring.30As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring.31‘Come, you who are blessed by the Lord,’ he said. ‘Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.’32So the man went to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet.33Then food was set before him, but he said, ‘I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.’ ‘Then tell us,’ Laban said.34So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant.35The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.36My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and he has given him everything he owns.37And my master made me swear an oath, and said, “You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,38but go to my father’s family and to my own clan, and get a wife for my son.”39‘Then I asked my master, “What if the woman will not come back with me?”40‘He replied, “The Lord, before whom I have walked faithfully, will send his angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you can get a wife for my son from my own clan and from my father’s family.41You will be released from my oath if, when you go to my clan, they refuse to give her to you – then you will be released from my oath.”42‘When I came to the spring today, I said, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come.43See, I am standing beside this spring. If a young woman comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’44and if she says to me, ‘Drink, and I’ll draw water for your camels too,’ let her be the one the Lord has chosen for my master’s son.”45‘Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, “Please give me a drink.”46‘She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.” So I drank, and she watered the camels also.47‘I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” ‘She said, “The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.” ‘Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms,48and I bowed down and worshipped the Lord. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.49Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.’50Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other.51Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.’52When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord.53Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewellery and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother.54Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, ‘Send me on my way to my master.’55But her brother and her mother replied, ‘Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you[5] may go.’56But he said to them, ‘Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.’57Then they said, ‘Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.’58So they called Rebekah and asked her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘I will go,’ she said.59So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, ‘Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.’61Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.62Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev.63He went out to the field one evening to meditate,[6] and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.64Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel65and asked the servant, ‘Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?’ ‘He is my master,’ the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.66Then the servant told Isaac all he had done.67Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
Genesis 24
New International Reader’s Version
Abraham’s servant finds a wife for Isaac
1By that time Abraham was very old. The LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.2The best servant in his house was in charge of everything Abraham had. Abraham said to him, ‘Put your hand under my thigh.3The LORD is the God of heaven and the God of earth. I want you to make a promise to me in his name. I’m living among the people of Canaan. But I want you to promise me that you won’t get a wife for my son from their daughters.4Instead, promise me that you will go to my country and to my own relatives. Get a wife for my son Isaac from there.’5The servant asked Abraham, ‘What if the woman doesn’t want to come back with me to this land? Then should I take your son back to the country you came from?’6‘Make sure you don’t take my son back there,’ Abraham said.7‘The LORD, the God of heaven, took me away from my father’s family. He brought me out of my own land. He made me a promise. He said, “I will give this land to your family after you.” The LORD will send his angel ahead of you. So you will be able to get a wife for my son from there.8The woman may not want to come back with you. If she doesn’t, you will be free from your promise. But don’t take my son back there.’9So the servant put his hand under Abraham’s thigh. He promised to do what his master wanted.10The servant chose ten of his master’s camels and left. He loaded the camels with all kinds of good things from his master. He started out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor.11He stopped near the well outside the town. There he made the camels get down on their knees. It was almost evening, the time when women go out to get water.12Then he prayed, ‘LORD, you are the God of my master Abraham. Make me successful today. Be kind to my master Abraham.13I’m standing beside this spring. The daughters of the people who live in the town are coming out here to get water.14I will speak to a young woman. I’ll say to her, “Please lower your jar so I can have a drink.” Suppose she says, “Have a drink of water, and I’ll get some for your camels too.” Then let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. That’s how I’ll know you have been kind to my master.’15Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out. She was carrying a jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Milkah’s son Bethuel. Milkah was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.16The young woman was very beautiful. No man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring. She filled her jar and came up again.17The servant hurried to meet her. He said, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar.’18‘Have a drink, sir,’ she said. She quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.19After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I’ll get water for your camels too. I’ll keep doing it until they have had enough to drink.’20So she quickly emptied her jar into the stone tub. Then she ran back to the well to get more water. She got enough for all his camels.21The man didn’t say a word. He watched her closely. He wanted to learn whether the LORD had given him success on the journey he had made.22The camels finished drinking. Then the man took out a gold nose ring. It weighed about 6 grams. He also took out two gold bracelets. They weighed about 120 grams.23Then he asked, ‘Whose daughter are you? And please tell me something else. Is there room in your father’s house for us? Can we spend the night there?’24She answered, ‘I’m the daughter of Bethuel. He’s the son Milkah had by Nahor.’25She continued, ‘We have plenty of straw and feed for your camels. We also have room for you to spend the night.’26Then the man bowed down and worshipped the LORD.27He said, ‘I praise the LORD, the God of my master Abraham. The LORD hasn’t stopped being kind and faithful to my master. The LORD has led me on this journey. He has brought me to the house of my master’s relatives.’28The young woman ran home. She told her mother’s family what had happened.29Rebekah had a brother named Laban. He hurried out to the spring to meet the man.30Laban had seen the nose ring. He had seen the bracelets on his sister’s arms. And he had heard Rebekah tell what the man had said to her. So Laban went out to the man. He found him standing by the camels near the spring.31‘The LORD has given you his blessing,’ he said. ‘So come with me. Why are you standing out here? I’ve prepared my house for you. I also have a place for the camels.’32So the man went to the house. The camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought for the camels. And water was brought for him and his men to wash their feet.33Then food was placed in front of him. But he said, ‘I won’t eat until I’ve told you what I have to say.’ ‘Then tell us,’ Laban said.34So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant.35The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become rich. The LORD has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold. He has also given him male and female servants, camels and donkeys.36My master’s wife Sarah had a son by him when she was old. He has given that son everything he owns.37My master made me promise him. He said, “I’m living in the land of the people of Canaan. But promise me that you won’t get a wife for my son from their daughters.38Instead, go to my father’s family and to my own relatives. Get a wife for my son there.”39‘Then I asked my master, “What if the woman won’t come back with me?”40‘He replied, “I have walked faithfully with the LORD. He will send his angel with you. He will give you success on your journey. So you will be able to get a wife for my son. She will be from my own relatives and from my father’s family.41When you go to my relatives, suppose they refuse to give her to you. Then you will be free from the promise you made to me.”42‘Today I came to the spring. I said, “LORD, you are the God of my master Abraham. Please make me successful on this journey I’ve made.43I’m standing beside this spring. A young woman will come out to get water. I’ll say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar.’44Suppose she says, ‘Have a drink of water, and I’ll get some for your camels too.’ Then let her be the one the LORD has chosen for my master’s son.”45‘Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out. She was carrying a jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and got water. I said to her, “Please give me a drink.”46‘She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder. She said, “Have a drink, and I’ll get water for your camels too.” So I drank. She also got water for the camels.47‘I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” ‘She said, “The daughter of Bethuel. He’s the son Milkah had by Nahor.” ‘Then I put the ring in her nose. I put the bracelets on her arms.48And I bowed down and worshipped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham. He had led me on the right road. He had led me to get for my master’s son the granddaughter of my master’s brother.49Now will you be kind and faithful to my master? If you will, tell me. And if you won’t, tell me. Then I’ll know which way to turn.’50Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘The LORD has done all of this. We can’t say anything to you one way or the other.51Here is Rebekah. Take her and go. Let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has said.’52Abraham’s servant heard what they said. So he bowed down to the LORD with his face to the ground.53He brought out gold and silver jewellery and articles of clothing. He gave all of them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive gifts to her brother and her mother.54Then Abraham’s servant and the men who were with him ate and drank. They spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, Abraham’s servant said, ‘Send me back to my master.’55But her brother and her mother replied, ‘Let the young woman stay with us ten days or so. Then you can go.’56But he said to them, ‘Don’t make me wait. The LORD has given me success on my journey. Send me on my way so I can go to my master.’57Then they said, ‘Let’s get Rebekah and ask her about it.’58So they sent for her and asked, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘Yes, I’ll go,’ she said.59So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way with Abraham’s servant and his men. They also sent Rebekah’s servant with her.60And they gave Rebekah their blessing. They said to her, ‘Dear sister, may your family grow by thousands and thousands. May they take over the cities of their enemies.’61Then Rebekah and her female servants got ready. They got on their camels to go back with the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and left.62By that time Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi. He was living in the Negev Desert.63One evening he went out to the field. He wanted to spend some time thinking. When he looked up, he saw camels approaching.64Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel.65She asked the servant, ‘Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?’ ‘He’s my master,’ the servant answered. So she covered her face with her veil.66Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done.67Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent that had belonged to his mother Sarah. And he married Rebekah. She became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother died.
Genesis 24
King James Version
1And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.2And 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:3And 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 unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:4But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.5And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?6And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.7The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father' house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.8And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.9And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.10And 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.11And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water .12And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.13Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:14And 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 give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.15And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham' brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.16And 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.17And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.18And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.19And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.20And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water , and drew for all his camels.21And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.22And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;23And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father' house for us to lodge in?24And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.25She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.26And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.27And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master' brethren.28And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother' house these things.29And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.30And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister' hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.31And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.32And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men' feet that were with him.33And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.34And he said, I am Abraham' servant.35And 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 menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.36And Sarah my master' wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.37And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:38But thou shalt go unto my father' house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.39And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.40And he said unto 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' house:41Then 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.42And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:43Behold, 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;44And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master' son.45And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water : and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.46And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder , and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.47And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor' son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.48And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master' brother' daughter unto his son.49And now if ye 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.50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.51Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her , and go, and let her be thy master' son' wife, as the LORD hath spoken.52And it came to pass, that, when Abraham' servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.53And 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.54And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.55And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.56And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.57And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.58And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.59And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham' servant, and his men.60And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.61And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.62And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.63And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.64And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.65For she had said unto 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 vail, and covered herself.66And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.67And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah' tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother' death .
Genesis 24
Einheitsübersetzung 2016
Rebekka und Isaak
1Abraham war alt und hochbetagt; der HERR hatte Abraham in allem gesegnet.2Da sagte Abraham zu seinem Knecht, dem Ältesten seines Hauses, der alles verwaltete, was ihm gehörte: Leg deine Hand unter meine Hüfte![1] (Ge 47:29)3Ich will dir einen Eid beim HERRN, dem Gott des Himmels und der Erde, abnehmen, dass du für meinen Sohn keine Frau von den Töchtern der Kanaaniter nimmst, in deren Mitte ich wohne.4Du sollst vielmehr in mein Land und zu meiner Verwandtschaft gehen und eine Frau für meinen Sohn Isaak holen.5Der Knecht entgegnete ihm: Vielleicht will aber die Frau mir gar nicht hierher in dieses Land folgen. Soll ich dann deinen Sohn in das Land zurückbringen, aus dem du ausgewandert bist? (Ge 12:1)6Hüte dich, antwortete ihm Abraham, meinen Sohn dorthin zurückzubringen!7Der HERR, der Gott des Himmels, der mich aus dem Haus meines Vaters und aus dem Land meiner Verwandtschaft herausgenommen hat, der zu mir gesagt und mir geschworen hat: Deinen Nachkommen gebe ich dieses Land!, er wird seinen Engel vor dir hersenden und so wirst du von dort eine Frau für meinen Sohn mitbringen. (Ge 13:14; Ge 15:17)8Wenn dir aber die Frau nicht folgen will, dann bist du von dem Eid, den du mir geleistet hast, entbunden. Aber meinen Sohn darfst du auf keinen Fall dorthin zurückbringen.9Da legte der Knecht seine Hand unter die Hüfte seines Herrn Abraham und leistete ihm einen Eid darauf.10Der Knecht nahm zehn von den Kamelen seines Herrn und machte sich mit allerlei kostbaren Sachen aus dem Besitz seines Herrn auf die Reise. Er brach auf und zog nach Mesopotamien in die Stadt Nahors.11Vor der Stadt ließ er die Kamele am Brunnen lagern. Es war gegen Abend, um die Zeit, da die Frauen herauskommen, um Wasser zu schöpfen. (Ex 2:16; 1Sa 9:11)12Er sagte: HERR, Gott meines Herrn Abraham, lass mich heute Glück haben und erweise meinem Herrn Abraham Huld!13Siehe, ich stehe an der Quelle und die Töchter der Stadtbewohner werden herauskommen, um Wasser zu schöpfen.14Das Mädchen, zu dem ich dann sage: Reich mir doch deinen Krug zum Trinken! und das antwortet: Trink nur, auch deine Kamele will ich tränken!, sie soll es sein, die du für deinen Knecht Isaak bestimmt hast. Daran werde ich erkennen, dass du meinem Herrn Huld erweist.15Kaum hatte er aufgehört zu sprechen, siehe, da kam auch schon Rebekka heraus. Sie war dem Betuël geboren worden, dem Sohn der Milka, der Frau des Nahor, des Bruders Abrahams. Sie trug ihren Krug auf ihrer Schulter. (Ge 11:27)16Das Mädchen sah sehr schön aus, eine Jungfrau, die noch kein Mann erkannt hatte. Sie stieg zur Quelle hinab, füllte ihren Krug und kam herauf.17Da lief der Knecht auf sie zu und sagte: Lass mich ein wenig Wasser aus deinem Krug trinken!18Trink nur, mein Herr!, antwortete sie, ließ geschwind den Krug auf ihre Hand herab und gab ihm zu trinken.19Nachdem sie ihm zu trinken gegeben hatte, sagte sie: Auch für deine Kamele will ich schöpfen, bis sie sich satt getrunken haben.20Geschwind leerte sie ihren Krug an der Tränke und lief noch einmal an den Brunnen zum Schöpfen. So schöpfte sie für alle Kamele.21Der Mann schaute ihr schweigend zu, um zu erkennen, ob der HERR seinen Weg gelingen ließe oder nicht.22Als die Kamele sich satt getrunken hatten, nahm der Mann einen goldenen Nasenring, einen halben Schekel schwer, und zwei goldene Spangen für ihre Handgelenke, zehn Goldschekel schwer.23Und er sagte: Wessen Tochter bist du? Sag mir doch, ob im Haus deines Vaters für uns Platz zum Übernachten ist!24Sie antwortete ihm: Ich bin die Tochter Betuëls, des Sohnes der Milka und des Nahor. (Ge 22:23)25Weiter sagte sie zu ihm: Stroh und Futter haben wir reichlich, auch Platz zum Übernachten.26Da verneigte sich der Mann, warf sich vor dem HERRN nieder27und sagte: Gepriesen sei der HERR, der Gott meines Herrn Abraham, der meinem Herrn Huld und Treue nicht verweigert hat. Mich hat der HERR geradewegs zum Haus der Brüder meines Herrn geführt.28Das Mädchen lief weg und erzählte im Haus seiner Mutter, was vorgefallen war.29Rebekka hatte einen Bruder namens Laban. Laban eilte zu dem Mann hinaus an die Quelle.30Als er nämlich den Nasenring und an den Handgelenken seiner Schwester die Spangen sah und als er die Worte seiner Schwester Rebekka hörte, wie sie sagte: So und so hat der Mann zu mir geredet, begab er sich zu dem Mann und siehe, der stand bei den Kamelen an der Quelle.31Laban sagte zu ihm: Komm, du Gesegneter des HERRN! Warum stehst du hier draußen? Ich habe das Haus aufgeräumt und für die Kamele Platz gemacht.32Da ging der Mann mit ins Haus. Man schirrte die Kamele ab und gab ihnen Stroh und Futter. Für ihn und die Männer in seiner Begleitung brachte man Wasser zum Füßewaschen.33Als man ihm zu essen vorsetzte, sagte er: Ich esse nicht, bevor ich nicht mein Anliegen vorgebracht habe. Sie antworteten: Rede!34Da berichtete er: Ein Knecht Abrahams bin ich.35Der HERR hat meinen Herrn reichlich gesegnet, sodass er zu großem Vermögen gekommen ist. Er hat ihm Schafe und Rinder, Silber und Gold, Knechte und Mägde, Kamele und Esel gegeben.36Sara, die Frau meines Herrn, hat meinem Herrn noch in ihrem Alter einen Sohn geboren. Ihm hat er alles übergeben, was ihm gehört.37Mein Herr hat mir den Eid abgenommen: Du darfst für meinen Sohn keine Frau von den Töchtern der Kanaaniter nehmen, in deren Land ich wohne.38Reise vielmehr zum Haus meines Vaters und zu meiner Sippe und hol eine Frau für meinen Sohn!39Ich entgegnete meinem Herrn: Vielleicht will aber die Frau nicht mitkommen.40Darauf antwortete er mir: Der HERR, vor dem ich meinen Weg gegangen bin, wird dir seinen Engel mitschicken und deine Reise gelingen lassen. Du wirst schon eine Frau für meinen Sohn mitbringen aus meiner Sippe, aus dem Haus meines Vaters.41Von dem Eid, den du mir geleistet hast, sollst du dann entbunden sein, wenn du zu meiner Sippe kommst und sie dir keine Frau geben. In diesem Fall bist du von dem Eid, den du mir geleistet hast, entbunden.42So kam ich heute an die Quelle und sagte: HERR, Gott meines Herrn Abraham, lass doch meinen Weg gelingen, auf dem ich mich befinde.43Siehe, ich stehe nun an der Quelle. Kommt ein Mädchen aus der Stadt heraus, um Wasser zu schöpfen, dann will ich sagen: Gib mir doch aus deinem Krug ein wenig Wasser zu trinken!44Sagt sie zu mir: Trink nur! Auch für deine Kamele will ich schöpfen!, so soll es die Frau sein, die der HERR für den Sohn meines Herrn bestimmt hat.45Kaum hatte ich so zu mir gesagt, kam auch schon Rebekka mit dem Krug auf der Schulter heraus, stieg zur Quelle hinunter und schöpfte. Ich redete sie an: Gib mir doch zu trinken!46Da setzte sie geschwind ihren Krug ab und sagte: Trink nur! Auch deine Kamele will ich tränken. Ich trank und sie gab auch den Kamelen zu trinken.47Als ich sie fragte: Wessen Tochter bist du?, antwortete sie: Die Tochter Betuëls, des Sohnes Nahors, den ihm Milka gebar. Da legte ich ihr den Ring an die Nase und die Spangen an ihre Handgelenke.48Ich verneigte mich, warf mich vor dem HERRN nieder und pries den HERRN, den Gott meines Herrn Abraham, der mich in Treue hierher geführt hat, um die Tochter des Bruders meines Herrn für dessen Sohn zu holen.49Jetzt aber sagt mir, ob ihr geneigt seid, meinem Herrn Huld und Treue zu erweisen. Wenn nicht, so gebt mir ebenfalls Bescheid, damit ich mich dann anderswohin wende.50Daraufhin antworteten Laban und Betuël und sagten: Die Sache ist vom HERRN ausgegangen. Wir können dir dazu nichts sagen, weder Böses noch Gutes.51Siehe, Rebekka steht vor dir. Nimm sie und geh! Sie soll die Frau des Sohnes deines Herrn werden, wie der HERR es gefügt hat.52Als der Knecht Abrahams ihre Antwort hörte, warf er sich vor dem HERRN zur Erde nieder.53Dann holte der Knecht Sachen aus Silber und Gold und Kleider hervor und schenkte sie Rebekka. Auch ihrem Bruder und ihrer Mutter überreichte er kostbare Geschenke.54Er und die Männer seiner Begleitung aßen und tranken und blieben über Nacht. Als sie am Morgen aufstanden, sagte der Knecht: Entlasst mich jetzt zu meinem Herrn!55Der Bruder Rebekkas und ihre Mutter antworteten: Das Mädchen soll noch einige Tage bei uns bleiben, etwa zehn Tage, dann mag sie sich auf die Reise begeben.[2]56Haltet mich nicht zurück, antwortete er ihnen, da der HERR meinen Weg gelingen ließ! So entlasst mich denn, dass ich zu meinem Herrn gehe!57Sie entgegneten: Wir wollen das Mädchen rufen und es selbst fragen.58Sie riefen Rebekka und fragten sie: Willst du mit diesem Mann ziehen? Ja, antwortete sie.59Da ließen sie ihre Schwester Rebekka und ihre Amme mit dem Knecht Abrahams und seinen Leuten ziehen.60Sie segneten Rebekka und sagten zu ihr:
Du, unsere Schwester, werde Mutter von tausendmal Zehntausend! / Deine Nachkommen sollen das Tor ihrer Feinde einnehmen. (Ge 22:17)61Rebekka brach mit ihren Mägden auf. Sie bestiegen die Kamele und folgten dem Mann. Der Knecht nahm Rebekka mit und trat die Rückreise an.62Isaak war von einem Gang zum Brunnen Lahai-Roï gekommen. Er wohnte im Land des Negeb.[3] (Ge 16:14)63Isaak ging hinaus, um sich beim Anbruch des Abends auf dem Feld zu beschäftigen. Er erhob seine Augen und schaute hin, siehe, da kamen Kamele daher.64Auch Rebekka erhob ihre Augen und sah Isaak. Sie ließ sich vom Kamel herunter65und fragte den Knecht: Wer ist der Mann dort, der uns auf dem Feld entgegenkommt? Der Knecht erwiderte: Das ist mein Herr. Da nahm sie den Schleier und verhüllte sich.66Der Knecht erzählte Isaak alles, was er ausgerichtet hatte.67Isaak führte Rebekka in das Zelt seiner Mutter Sara. Er nahm sie zu sich und sie wurde seine Frau. Isaak gewann sie lieb und tröstete sich so über den Verlust seiner Mutter.