Genesis 24:19 kjv
And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
Genesis 24:19 nkjv
And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking."
Genesis 24:19 niv
After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink."
Genesis 24:19 esv
When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking."
Genesis 24:19 nlt
When she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink."
Genesis 24 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:4 | "Let a little water, please, be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree." | Abraham's exemplary hospitality. |
| Gen 24:14 | "And it shall be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—let her be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac." | The precise sign requested by Eliezer. |
| Gen 24:20 | "So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels." | Rebekah's immediate action and diligence. |
| Gen 29:9-10 | "Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess... Jacob went and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban." | Wells as meeting places; willingness to serve. |
| Ex 2:16-17 | "Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water... then Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock." | Kindness at the well; readiness to help. |
| Prov 31:17 | "She girds herself with strength; her arms are strong for her tasks." | Resemblance to the capable woman's industriousness. |
| Prov 31:20 | "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy." | Reflects generosity of spirit. |
| Prov 31:27 | "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." | Exemplifies diligence and responsibility. |
| Matt 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.” | Value of simple acts of generosity. |
| Luke 10:30-37 | The Parable of the Good Samaritan. | Radical generosity and service to strangers. |
| Rom 12:13 | "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." | Command to practice hospitality. |
| Heb 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Emphasizes the importance and potential blessing of hospitality. |
| Gal 5:13 | "Through love serve one another." | Motivates the spirit of selfless service. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Underlying character of selflessness and concern for others. |
| 1 Pet 4:9 | "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." | Encourages eager and willing hospitality. |
| Deut 10:18 | "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing." | God's own character of care for the outsider. |
| 1 Kgs 17:10-16 | Elijah and the widow of Zarephath providing water and food from her last portion. | Selfless giving and provision. |
| Gen 21:19 | Hagar seeing a well after God opened her eyes. | God's provision through wells. |
| Psa 23:5 | "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." | The Lord's abundant provision, echoing overflowing goodness. |
| Isa 58:10 | "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday." | Rewarded acts of generosity and compassion. |
Genesis 24 verses
Genesis 24 19 Meaning
Genesis 24:19 depicts Rebekah's spontaneous and abundant offer to water Eliezer's camels, going beyond his initial request for water for himself. This act immediately fulfills the specific sign that Abraham's servant had prayed for, demonstrating her exceptionally hospitable, generous, and hardworking character, indicating she is the woman providentially chosen by God for Isaac.
Genesis 24 19 Context
Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission for his trusted servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac, from among his own people in Mesopotamia, rather than the Canaanites. Abraham makes the servant swear an oath to this effect. Upon arriving at Nahor, Eliezer prays for a specific sign at the well: the chosen woman would not only offer him water but spontaneously offer to water his ten camels also. This very verse, Genesis 24:19, is Rebekah's immediate, unprompted, and extensive fulfillment of that precise request. This pivotal moment serves as divine confirmation that Rebekah is God's chosen one, highlighting the servant's diligent prayer, God's providential guidance, and Rebekah's exemplary character which mirrors Abraham's own hospitality. Culturally, wells were crucial gathering places and a source of life in the arid ancient Near East, and drawing water was a laborious but essential daily task for women. The sheer volume of water required for ten thirsty camels (potentially hundreds of gallons) underscores the immense effort and generosity in Rebekah's offer.
Genesis 24 19 Word analysis
- And she said: This denotes Rebekah's direct, personal initiative and verbal declaration, not a hesitant or reluctant action. Her response is clear and affirmative.
- I will draw: Hebrew: אֶשְׁאָבָה (esh'avah). This verb is in the Qal Imperfect 1st person singular, indicating a strong commitment and readiness to perform the action. It's a proactive, personal undertaking. It speaks to her diligence and willingness to work.
- for thee also: The word "also" (גַּם gam) is significant. It shows Rebekah's generosity extends beyond the servant's initial request. He had only asked for himself (Gen 24:17). Her initiative in offering water for him and also for his animals goes beyond minimum obligation, demonstrating abundant kindness.
- and for thy camels: This specifies the greater, more arduous part of the task. Camels are large animals, and ten thirsty camels could easily consume hundreds of gallons of water. This task would involve many trips to the well and considerable physical exertion, highlighting her strength, energy, and selfless nature.
- until they have done drinking: Hebrew: כָּלּוּ לִשְׁתֹּת (kallu lishtot), literally "they finish drinking." This phrase emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of her intended service. She pledges to provide enough water for all the camels until they are fully satisfied, signifying a dedication that sees the task through to full completion, not merely a partial or token effort.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And she said, I will draw for thee also and for thy camels": This phrase encapsulates Rebekah's proactive hospitality. It's an unprompted, unconditional offer that immediately fulfills the servant's prayer. Her willingness to undertake the substantial task of watering ten thirsty camels reveals a spirit of remarkable generosity, service, and industriousness. It speaks to her intrinsic character of selfless giving, making her uniquely suitable for the chosen role. This action embodies radical hospitality towards a complete stranger.
- "until they have done drinking": This demonstrates her commitment to fulfilling her offer completely. It shows a dedication that extends beyond superficiality, guaranteeing the full satisfaction of a substantial need. This completeness speaks volumes about her thoroughness and integrity, ensuring that no less than what is required is provided. This perseverance contrasts sharply with self-serving or half-hearted endeavors.
Genesis 24 19 Bonus section
- The servant's subsequent silent observation in Gen 24:21 (often translated as "watching her with amazement and without saying anything") directly follows Rebekah's statement and actions in verse 19. This silence highlights his profound awe and the immediate, undeniable conviction that God had answered his prayer through her. It underlines the clear and compelling nature of the sign.
- The entire narrative of Rebekah at the well parallels the seeking of a bride for the Messiah in the New Testament. Just as Rebekah demonstrated sacrificial service and left her home to journey to a new life, believers are called to forsake the world and wholeheartedly serve Christ, our heavenly Bridegroom. Her physical energy and immediate action underscore the biblical value of diligence and readiness in one's responsibilities.
- Rebekah’s act is not only physical but also reflective of a heart attitude. It reveals a character formed by virtues like kindness, altruism, and selflessness, qualities crucial for a foundational matriarch of the nation of Israel. It serves as a profound example of selfless service anticipating the spirit of radical love found throughout biblical teachings.
Genesis 24 19 Commentary
Genesis 24:19 is the climax of Eliezer's divine test at the well, acting as the immediate answer to his prayer for a specific sign from God. Rebekah’s words are not a reluctant agreement but an enthusiastic declaration of generous service that surpasses all expectations. Her willingness to embark on the demanding task of drawing water for ten camels—an effort that could involve several hours of heavy labor—reveals extraordinary character traits: remarkable hospitality, unwavering diligence, physical strength, and a genuinely selfless spirit. This spontaneous and abundant response confirms her as the divinely appointed woman for Isaac. The meticulous detail in the narrative emphasizes that this was not merely coincidence but God's direct intervention, meticulously orchestrated. It speaks to God's providence in the minute details of life and the importance of prayer, but also highlights the virtue in going above and beyond in service. It exemplifies a servant heart, providing for others fully and cheerfully, a trait highly valued in Scripture and blessed by God.