Genesis 24:18 kjv
And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
Genesis 24:18 nkjv
So she said, "Drink, my lord." Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink.
Genesis 24:18 niv
"Drink, my lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
Genesis 24:18 esv
She said, "Drink, my lord." And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink.
Genesis 24:18 nlt
"Yes, my lord," she answered, "have a drink." And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink.
Genesis 24 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 24:14 | "And let it be that the young woman to whom I say, 'Please let down your jar...' and she says, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also'—let her be the one..." | Servant's prayer for a specific sign of divine guidance. |
| Gen 24:19 | "When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, 'I will draw water for your camels also..." | Rebekah's immediate and generous offer to water the camels. |
| Gen 18:4 | "Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree." | Abraham's hospitality to three visitors, an act preceding divine revelation. |
| Judg 19:20 | "The old man said, 'Peace be with you! Only lodge with me; all your needs will be met by me; only do not spend the night in the square.'" | An elderly man extends hospitality to a Levite and his concubine. |
| Prov 25:21 | "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink..." | Emphasizes universal kindness and generosity, even to enemies. |
| Rom 12:13 | "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." | New Testament command to practice hospitality to believers. |
| Heb 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Encourages hospitality, reminding of divine encounters through it. |
| 1 Pet 4:9 | "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." | Christian conduct emphasizing joyful hospitality. |
| Mt 10:42 | "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." | High value placed on acts of service, even simple ones like providing water. |
| Mt 25:35 | "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." | Jesus identifies with those in need, linking acts of kindness to serving Him. |
| Jn 4:7-10 | "A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.'" | Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for water, transcending cultural barriers. |
| Lk 10:33-35 | The Parable of the Good Samaritan shows selfless care for a stranger's needs. | Practical love for one's neighbor through compassionate action. |
| Isa 58:7 | "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him..." | Prophetic call for social justice and compassion for the needy. |
| Job 31:32 | "The sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler." | Job's defense of his righteousness, including his practice of hospitality. |
| Ex 2:19 | The shepherdesses, including Zipporah, provided water for Moses. | Shows women at wells performing the daily task of providing water. |
| Gen 13:14 | "The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes and look... for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.'" | The broader context of God's covenant and guidance for Abraham's lineage. |
| Gen 24:7 | "The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house... will send His angel before you..." | Servant's reliance on divine leading underscores the trust in God's providence. |
| 1 Sam 25:8 | "Please give to your servants and to your son David whatever you find at hand." | David's men making a respectful request, similar to the servant here. |
| Acts 23:26 | "Claudius Lysias to his Excellency, Governor Felix, greeting." | The use of "my lord" (κράτιστε - krátiste, often translated as 'most excellent') for respectful address to superiors. |
| Eph 6:5 | "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear..." | Principle of respect in hierarchical relationships. |
| 1 Pt 2:18 | "Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect..." | Calls for respect and obedience within service relationships. |
| Pro 3:27 | "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." | General principle of doing good, aligned with spontaneous generosity. |
| Deut 23:4 | "...because they did not meet you with food and with water on the way..." | Contrasting lack of hospitality with its expectation, leading to consequences. |
Genesis 24 verses
Genesis 24 18 Meaning
Rebekah's immediate and polite response to Abraham's servant's request for a drink, "Drink, my lord," demonstrates her innate hospitality and respect. This verse marks the beginning of the divinely ordained sign for Abraham's servant, initiating the unfolding of God's plan to find Isaac's wife.
Genesis 24 18 Context
Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's fervent desire to secure a God-ordained wife for his son Isaac, specifically one from his own kin, not the Canaanites. He sends his chief servant, entrusted with an oath, on this critical mission. The servant, upon arriving in Mesopotamia, humbly prays to the Lord, asking for a distinct sign to identify the woman God has chosen: she must offer water not only to him but also to his entire train of camels. This particular sign tests character – demonstrating selfless kindness and generosity. Immediately after his prayer, Rebekah appears at the well. Genesis 24:18 is her first verbal response to the servant's direct request for water, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar" (Gen 24:17). Her prompt and polite reply marks the initial fulfillment of the servant's prayer and reveals her generous nature, which will be further proven by her subsequent offer to water the camels.
Genesis 24 18 Word analysis
וַתֹּאמֶר (va-tō-mer) – "And she said":
- Word Level: Hebrew vav consecutive with the imperfect tense of the verb "to say" (אָמַר, 'āmar).
- Significance: Indicates immediate succession and action. Rebekah does not hesitate; her response is swift and unhesitating, demonstrating readiness and politeness. This is not a slow, thoughtful answer but a spontaneous offering.
שְׁתֵה (šə-ṯēh) – "Drink":
- Word Level: Imperative form of the verb "to drink" (שָׁתָה, šāṯāh). It is masculine singular, correctly addressed to the servant.
- Significance: A direct, simple, and unequivocal invitation. It conveys clear permission and willingness, removing any hesitation for the asker. It's an active act of hospitality, not merely passive allowance.
אֲדֹנִי (ʾă-ḏō-nî) – "my lord":
- Word Level: From the noun אָדוֹן ('ādōn), meaning "lord, master," with the first-person singular possessive suffix "-י" (-î), meaning "my."
- Significance: A customary term of respect used when addressing an elder, a stranger perceived to be of higher social standing, or anyone whom one wishes to honor. It reflects humility, deference, and courtesy. For a young woman addressing a strange man, it underscores appropriate social conduct and deep respect, enhancing the warmth of her hospitality. It is not an acknowledgment of servitude, but of polite and honorable address to a man she does not know.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And she said, 'Drink, my lord.'": This concise statement encapsulates several virtues. The conjunction "And she said" highlights her promptness, showing no hesitation in fulfilling the initial request. The imperative "Drink" is a direct, immediate, and unconditional offer of vital provision. The respectful address "my lord" showcases her politeness, humility, and the proper etiquette extended to a stranger, especially an elder or someone in a position of respect. Together, these words illustrate a character marked by selflessness, readiness to serve, and innate graciousness—qualities essential for the fulfillment of the servant's specific prayer and fitting for Isaac's future wife.
Genesis 24 18 Bonus section
This verse, though brief, sets the precedent for Rebekah's full demonstration of hospitality. In the context of the arid climate and the sheer physical effort required to draw water for ten thirsty camels (consuming potentially hundreds of gallons), Rebekah's initial willingness is crucial. Her prompt and courteous response establishes her as one who genuinely cares for the traveler, reflecting the core of biblical hospitality, where care for the stranger is a sacred duty. This also positions her as a "doer" who actively extends kindness, rather than merely fulfilling a minimal request, making her an exemplary candidate chosen by God. The scenario at the well, a common place for significant encounters and betrothals in the Old Testament, further enhances the divine significance of this seemingly simple exchange.
Genesis 24 18 Commentary
Genesis 24:18 provides the initial spoken word of Rebekah that signals the hand of God at work. Abraham's servant had requested a sign of extreme generosity: a woman who not only provides water for him but also offers to water his many camels without being asked. Rebekah's immediate "Drink, my lord," demonstrates her promptness and respect. Her address of "my lord" to a stranger underscores her polite, humble, and respectful character—a social grace considered paramount in ancient Near Eastern culture. This verse is the first concrete step in the precise fulfillment of the servant's prayer (Gen 24:14) and begins to unveil the divine orchestration of Isaac's marriage. It is a subtle but powerful testament to God's providence and Rebekah's innate, generous nature, portraying her as worthy of becoming part of the promised lineage. The significance lies not only in the words themselves but in the willingness and promptness they convey, setting the stage for the abundant generosity to follow.