Genesis 24 13

Genesis 24:13 kjv

Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

Genesis 24:13 nkjv

Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

Genesis 24:13 niv

See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.

Genesis 24:13 esv

Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

Genesis 24:13 nlt

See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 13 meaning

Genesis 24:13 finds Abraham's chief servant, Eliezer, arriving in Mesopotamia, specifically the city of Nahor. This verse records Eliezer positioning himself at the essential public well, awaiting the women of the city who would naturally come out at a specific time of day to fetch water. It sets the scene for his pivotal prayer seeking divine guidance for choosing a wife for Isaac, emphasizing his expectation that God's chosen woman would be found in the routine daily life activities of the local community.

Genesis 24 13 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission to find a wife for his son Isaac, ensuring he does not marry a Canaanite woman but one from his own extended family back in Mesopotamia. This quest is paramount for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding Abraham's descendants and the promised land. Eliezer, Abraham's trusted and faithful chief servant, is dispatched with clear instructions and a significant retinue. Before he takes any action, upon arrival in the city of Nahor, Eliezer demonstrates remarkable faith and wisdom by turning to God in prayer. Verse 13 is the initial setup of this prayer, where Eliezer first establishes his physical position at the communal well and then details the typical routine of the women coming to draw water, setting the practical stage for the specific sign he will request from the Lord. Culturally, the well was the central social hub and water source for ancient communities, a natural place for such an encounter. This scene implicitly highlights the active involvement of Yahweh in personal life choices, standing in contrast to pagan beliefs that often involved consulting or appeasing multiple deities without the same sense of direct, personal, and providential guidance.

Genesis 24 13 Word analysis

• Behold (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh): An emphatic interjection or particle. It draws attention to what is about to be said or done, signifying a crucial observation or moment of revelation. Here, Eliezer uses it to underscore the immediate, observable situation at the well, preparing for his prayer's specific request and God's intervention. It implies an attentive waiting and readiness to perceive divine action in the ordinary.

• I am standing (Hebrew: עֹמֵד, omed): This is a present participle, indicating a continuous or ongoing action. Eliezer has deliberately taken up his post and is remaining there. It signifies an posture of readiness, watchfulness, and deliberate expectation of God's leading. It’s not a casual stop but a chosen position for spiritual discernment.

• by the spring of water (Hebrew: עַל־עֵין הַמַּיִם, al-'eyn ham-mayim): Literally "upon the eye of the waters" or "at the fountain/source of the water." In the ancient world, wells and springs ('ayn) were not just sources of water but crucial centers of community life, commerce, and social interaction. This specific location emphasizes that Eliezer is placing himself in a common, practical setting where divine providence can intersect with daily routines. It's a natural gathering place where the character of individuals would be subtly revealed through their actions.

• and the daughters of the men of the city (Hebrew: וּבְנוֹת אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר, u'b'not anshei ha-'ir): Refers to the young women of marriageable age from the local populace, as opposed to foreigners or nomadic tribes. This specifies the potential candidates for Isaac’s wife – they are from Abraham's kinship group (Nahor's city) as instructed. This detail underscores Eliezer's adherence to Abraham's command.

• are coming out to draw water (Hebrew: יֹצְאֹת לִשְׁאֹב מָיִם, yotze'ot lish'ov mayim): "Coming out" is also a participle, indicating ongoing or habitual action. Drawing water was a physically demanding and regular daily chore for women in that culture, often done in groups at certain times of the day (morning or evening). This routine provides a context where genuine character – industriousness, helpfulness, and kindness – could be observed in practical action.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Behold, I am standing by the spring of water": This phrase establishes the strategic vantage point Eliezer has chosen. He is not merely waiting but actively posturing himself, ready to observe and receive God's sign. The specific location—the 'ayn ham-mayim (spring/well)—is intentionally chosen as it is the very hub of local social activity and life, where daily needs intersect with human interaction, providing a perfect stage for God to reveal His choice through a practical encounter.

• "and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water": This segment of the verse anticipates the normal, daily rhythm of the community. It sets up the immediate pool of potential candidates (local, eligible women) and the routine activity that will allow Eliezer to apply his divine test. It highlights Eliezer's understanding of cultural practices and his realistic expectation that God's providence would unfold within the everyday movements of people, rather than through extraordinary or miraculous means outside of daily life.

Genesis 24 13 Bonus section

The scene at the well in Genesis 24:13 is a powerful depiction of a man diligently fulfilling a sacred trust and, rather than relying on human cleverness, leaning entirely on divine direction. It showcases that God's providence often works through ordinary circumstances and everyday routines, intersecting with the diligent actions of those who seek His will. Eliezer's action implies that he understands the importance of discernment; he knows that the person God provides would display not just physical beauty but vital character traits, which drawing water for both man and his large group of camels would clearly reveal. This highlights that seeking a spouse, a partner in God's covenant, involves not just attraction but the observation of genuine character and service. This emphasis on character through practical service also serves as an indirect contrast to more superficial ways of assessing suitability, and underscores the biblical valuing of humble, practical service as an indicator of a person's heart and willingness to contribute.

Genesis 24 13 Commentary

Genesis 24:13 serves as a pivotal introduction to Eliezer's inspired prayer, highlighting his dependence on God for guidance in the crucial task of finding a wife for Isaac. Instead of relying on his own judgment or chance, he establishes a physical posture of readiness at the communal well, knowing it to be a common gathering point for local women performing their daily chore. This demonstrates his blend of practicality and profound faith. His observation of the women "coming out to draw water" is not merely passive waiting but an active positioning to witness how God would intersect with their ordinary lives to reveal His specific choice. This sets the stage for a practical and discerning "test" which, unlike seeking signs randomly, is rooted in God's character and relevant to the qualities needed for the mother of a promised nation: generosity, diligence, and kindness. This verse encapsulates the servant's initial posture of attentive prayer and wise observation as he awaits divine direction.