1.Mose 24 | King James Version

1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

2 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:

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 unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.

5 And 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?

6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.

7 The 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.

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 thither again.

9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that 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 hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

11 And 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 .

12 And 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.

13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come 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 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.

15 And 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.

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.

17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water , and drew for all his camels.

21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.

22 And 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;

23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father' house for us to lodge in?

24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.

26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

27 And 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.

28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother' house these things.

29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

30 And 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.

31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? 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 provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men' feet that were with him.

33 And 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.

34 And he said, I am Abraham' 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 menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

36 And Sarah my master' wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.

37 And 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:

38 But thou shalt go unto my father' house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.

39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.

40 And 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:

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.

42 And 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:

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;

44 And 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.

45 And 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.

46 And 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.

47 And 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.

48 And 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.

49 And 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.

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her , and go, and let her be thy master' son' wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham' servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

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.

54 And 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.

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.

56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath 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.

58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham' servant, and his men.

60 And 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.

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.

62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.

63 And 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.

64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

65 For 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.

66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.

67 And 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 .

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain. Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

New International Reader’s Version

Abraham’s servant finds a wife for Isaac

1 By that time Abraham was very old. The LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.

2 The best servant in his house was in charge of everything Abraham had. Abraham said to him, ‘Put your hand under my thigh.

3 The 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.

4 Instead, promise me that you will go to my country and to my own relatives. Get a wife for my son Isaac from there.’

5 The 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.

8 The 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.’

9 So the servant put his hand under Abraham’s thigh. He promised to do what his master wanted.

10 The 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.

11 He 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.

12 Then he prayed, ‘LORD, you are the God of my master Abraham. Make me successful today. Be kind to my master Abraham.

13 I’m standing beside this spring. The daughters of the people who live in the town are coming out here to get water.

14 I 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.’

15 Before 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.

16 The 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.

17 The 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.

19 After 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.’

20 So 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.

21 The 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.

22 The 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.

23 Then 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?’

24 She answered, ‘I’m the daughter of Bethuel. He’s the son Milkah had by Nahor.’

25 She continued, ‘We have plenty of straw and feed for your camels. We also have room for you to spend the night.’

26 Then the man bowed down and worshipped the LORD.

27 He 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.’

28 The young woman ran home. She told her mother’s family what had happened.

29 Rebekah had a brother named Laban. He hurried out to the spring to meet the man.

30 Laban 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.’

32 So 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.

33 Then 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.

34 So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant.

35 The 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.

36 My master’s wife Sarah had a son by him when she was old. He has given that son everything he owns.

37 My 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.

38 Instead, 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.

41 When 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.

43 I’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.’

44 Suppose 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.

48 And 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.

49 Now 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.’

50 Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘The LORD has done all of this. We can’t say anything to you one way or the other.

51 Here is Rebekah. Take her and go. Let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has said.’

52 Abraham’s servant heard what they said. So he bowed down to the LORD with his face to the ground.

53 He 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.

54 Then 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.’

55 But her brother and her mother replied, ‘Let the young woman stay with us ten days or so. Then you can go.’

56 But 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.’

57 Then they said, ‘Let’s get Rebekah and ask her about it.’

58 So they sent for her and asked, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘Yes, I’ll go,’ she said.

59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way with Abraham’s servant and his men. They also sent Rebekah’s servant with her.

60 And 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.’

61 Then 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.

62 By that time Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi. He was living in the Negev Desert.

63 One evening he went out to the field. He wanted to spend some time thinking. When he looked up, he saw camels approaching.

64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel.

65 She 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.

66 Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done.

67 Isaac 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.

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