Genesis 24:2 kjv

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:

Genesis 24:2 nkjv

So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please, put your hand under my thigh,

Genesis 24:2 niv

He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh.

Genesis 24:2 esv

And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh,

Genesis 24:2 nlt

One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, "Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 2 Meaning

Genesis 24:2 describes Abraham, advanced in years, entrusting his most senior and trusted servant with a solemn, sacred oath. This oath concerned a critical mission: finding a wife for his son Isaac, a wife who must not be from the idolatrous Canaanites but from Abraham's own people and kin. The unique nature of the oath, involving the servant placing his hand under Abraham's thigh, underscored the gravity, sanctity, and procreative significance of the covenant being made, deeply tied to the continuation of Abraham's divinely promised lineage. It highlights Abraham's deep concern for the future of his promised descendants.

Genesis 24 2 Context

Genesis 24 stands as a pivotal narrative, uniquely dedicated entirely to the acquisition of a wife for Isaac. Abraham, now 140 years old (as Isaac is around 40 years old, Gen 25:20, and Jacob and Esau were born when Isaac was 60), is deeply concerned about securing the lineage promised by God. He understands the immense significance of Isaac's marriage for the continuation of the covenant promises. The immediate context of this verse sets the stage for Abraham's meticulous instructions to his chief servant regarding the mission. Abraham is old and sees the urgency in ensuring the messianic line is preserved from within his own family and not corrupted by the surrounding idolatrous Canaanite peoples.

Genesis 24 2 Word analysis

• And Abraham said: (וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם - vayyōʾmer ʾAḇrāhām)
  • The "And" (waw consecutive) indicates continuity in the narrative, following Abraham's reflections on his age.
  • Abraham, as the patriarch, is the central figure, initiating a mission critical to the future of the covenant. His age implies wisdom and a deep understanding of God's unfolding plan.
• unto his eldest servant: (אֶל־עַבְדּוֹ זְקֵן בֵּיתוֹ - ʾel-ʿaḇdō zəqēn bēṯō)
  • "unto his servant": The possessive "his" emphasizes the intimate and proprietary relationship Abraham has with this individual, likely Eliezer (Gen 15:2), demonstrating trust.
  • "eldest" (זְקֵן - zāqēn): This term signifies seniority, experience, and the wisdom associated with age. It marks the servant as Abraham's most reliable and qualified administrator.
  • "of his house" (בֵּיתוֹ - bēṯō): Denotes the entire household and its affairs, reinforcing the servant's comprehensive responsibilities.
• that ruled over all that he had: (הַמֹּשֵׁל בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ - hammōšēl bəḵāl-ʾăšer-lō)
  • "ruled" (הַמֹּשֵׁל - hammōšēl): This active participle ("who was ruling" or "was in charge") highlights the servant's executive authority and managerial role over Abraham's vast wealth and affairs. It implies a high level of trust and accountability.
  • "all that he had": Emphasizes the servant's complete administrative dominion, underscoring the weight and importance of the command given. This person wasn't a casual messenger but a key figure in Abraham's kingdom.
• Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: (שִׂים־נָא יָדְךָ תַּחַת יְרֵכִי - sîm-nāʾ yāḏkā taḥaṯ yəreḵî)
  • "Put" (שִׂים - sîm): An imperative verb, a direct command.
  • "I pray thee" (נָא - nāʾ): A particle softening the imperative, indicating a request or plea that is still forceful due to its solemnity. It signals urgency and respect for the gravity of the upcoming action.
  • "thy hand": The physical hand signifies active participation, responsibility, and the commitment of one's whole being to the oath.
  • "under my thigh" (תַּחַת יְרֵכִי - taḥaṯ yəreḵî): This is a crucial ancient gesture for swearing a most solemn oath.
    • "Thigh" (yarek) is a biblical euphemism referring to the loins or generative organs. This area symbolizes progeny, the source of life, and descendants.
    • The gesture likely represents an oath that involves a connection to the future generations springing forth from the thigh (like the descendants to Abraham, through Isaac).
    • It ties the oath directly to the lineage, emphasizing the absolute sacredness of finding a suitable wife to continue the Abrahamic covenant line. It indicates a pledge tied to the deepest possible identity and future of the family.

Genesis 24 2 Bonus section

The specific oath-taking ritual involving the "thigh" (יָרֵךְ - yāreḵ) has generated scholarly discussion. While its precise origin outside of Abrahamic tradition is unclear, it consistently appears in the biblical text as a covenant of utmost solemnity. It connects directly to the creative power associated with procreation (compare with Genesis 46:26; Exodus 1:5, where "those who came from Jacob's loins" refers to his descendants) and foreshadows the importance of Abraham’s singular “Seed” (Galatians 3:16), which points to Christ. The commitment the servant makes through this ritual ensures his loyalty is absolute, binding him not just to Abraham, but to the divine plan. This oath reflects Abraham's faith in action, proactively seeking to fulfill God's purpose through responsible, prayerful stewardship of his family's future.

Genesis 24 2 Commentary

Genesis 24:2 opens a profound narrative revealing Abraham's unwavering commitment to God's covenant promises, especially regarding the sacred lineage through Isaac. By instructing his eldest and most trusted servant to take such a solemn oath, Abraham underlines the immense significance of his son's marriage not just as a domestic affair, but as a divinely ordered necessity for the perpetuation of the "seed." The phrase "eldest servant... who ruled over all that he had" conveys the deep trust and responsibility invested in this individual, signaling the unparalleled importance of the mission to follow.

The act of placing the hand "under my thigh" is more than a customary handshake; it's a unique and weighty ritual, one of the most binding forms of oath-taking recorded in the Bible (also seen in Gen 47:29). This gesture connects the oath-taker physically and symbolically to Abraham's generative power and thus to the promised multitude of descendants, including the ultimate Messiah. It indicates an oath involving not just a promise, but the very essence and future of the lineage, making the servant’s commitment unbreakable. Abraham seeks to secure God's blessing on this matter, understanding that Isaac's marriage partner must align with God's purpose for His chosen people, remaining unblemished by Canaanite idolatry, to preserve the purity of the messianic line. This sets a strong precedent for believers seeking God's will in critical life decisions, particularly those impacting future generations and spiritual heritage.