Genesis 24:23 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 24:23 kjv
And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
Genesis 24:23 nkjv
and said, "Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father's house for us to lodge?"
Genesis 24:23 niv
Then he asked, "Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"
Genesis 24:23 esv
and said, "Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"
Genesis 24:23 nlt
"Whose daughter are you?" he asked. "And please tell me, would your father have any room to put us up for the night?"
Genesis 24 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 24:12-14 | "O Lord God of my master Abraham... let it come to pass, that the damsel... upon thy servant Isaac." | Eliezer's prayer for divine guidance |
| Gen 24:21 | "And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not." | Confirmation of God's providence |
| Gen 24:27 | "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..." | Eliezer acknowledges God's faithful leading |
| Gen 29:13 | "And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him..." | Example of hospitality and kin welcome |
| Ruth 2:1-2 | "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's... a mighty man of wealth... And Ruth the Moabitess said..." | Importance of lineage and family connection |
| Judg 19:15, 20-21 | "But there was no man that took them into his house to lodging... And the old man said... Lodge with me..." | Importance of providing lodging to travelers |
| Josh 2:1 | "And Joshua... sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land... So they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there." | Provision of lodging, even in unexpected places |
| Prov 18:22 | "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord." | The blessedness of finding a spouse |
| Matt 7:7 | "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you..." | The principle of asking and receiving |
| Luke 10:38 | "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house." | New Testament example of hospitality |
| Heb 13:2 | "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Command to practice hospitality |
| Rom 12:13 | "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." | Encouragement for hospitality within the church |
| 1 Pet 4:9 | "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." | Call to enthusiastic hospitality |
| 3 Jn 1:5-8 | "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well..." | Commendation for supporting travelers/ministers |
| Gen 19:2-3 | "And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet... and they turned in unto him..." | Lot's urgency in offering hospitality |
| Acts 28:7 | "In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously." | Hospitality provided to Paul and his company |
| Gen 24:4 | "But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac." | Emphasis on finding a wife from Abraham's kin |
| Gen 24:67 | "And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her..." | The successful outcome of the servant's mission |
| 2 Cor 6:14 | "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" | Importance of a believer spouse (implied here for Isaac) |
| Ps 32:8 | "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." | Divine guidance in daily decisions |
| Jer 29:13 | "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." | Seeking with earnest inquiry (echoes Eliezer's earnestness) |
Genesis 24 verses
Genesis 24 23 meaning
Genesis 24:23 records Abraham's servant Eliezer's crucial inquiry to Rebekah. After she demonstrates extraordinary kindness by watering his camels, he asks about her familial identity – specifically, whose daughter she is – and whether there is available lodging at her father's household for him and his entourage for the night. This exchange is pivotal, initiating the process of confirming God's guidance and securing a bride for Isaac.
Genesis 24 23 Context
This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in Genesis chapter 24, which describes Abraham's search for a suitable wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham, now old, ensures that Isaac will marry a woman from his own kin, not from the Canaanites among whom they live. He sends his chief servant, Eliezer, to Mesopotamia, instructing him to seek divine guidance. The servant prays for a specific sign at the well—that the chosen woman would not only offer him water but also offer to water his ten camels. Rebekah's immediate and extraordinary fulfillment of this sign, displaying both hospitality and strength, leads directly to Eliezer's inquiries in verse 23. This verse is the servant's direct action stemming from his confirmation of God's guidance, paving the way for the potential betrothal. The historical context reflects a nomadic society where hospitality was vital for survival and where marriage was a family affair, emphasizing lineage and character.
Genesis 24 23 Word analysis
And said: (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer). Implies an immediate, direct inquiry following Rebekah's astonishing act of service. It signifies the start of the verbal investigation, transitioning from observing her actions to understanding her identity.
Whose daughter: (בַּת־מִי - bat-mi). A primary and vital question in the patriarchal society. Identity was rooted in one's family and lineage. Knowing the father was crucial for understanding social standing, suitability for marriage, and protection. This inquiry sought to establish her 'status' and connect her to a reputable household within Abraham's extended kin.
art thou?: (אַתְּ - at). The direct address indicates a personal inquiry.
tell me, I pray thee: (הַגִּידִי־נָא - haggidi-na). The imperative "tell me" (haggidi) is softened by the particle na, indicating a polite but earnest request. Eliezer seeks a clear, unambiguous answer, recognizing the weighty implications of her identity in his mission.
is there room: (הֲיֶשׁ־מָקוֹם - hayeish-maqom). Hayesh asks an interrogative "is there?", and maqom refers to a physical "place" or "space." This highlights the practical concern for lodging, essential for himself and his sizable entourage (servants and ten camels) in an unfamiliar place.
in thy father's house: (בֵּית אָבִיךְ - beit avich). Emphasizes the patriarchal household as the source of hospitality and safety. Travelers relied on such established family homes. This also tests the extent of their family's hospitality, given the large number of guests.
for us: (לָנוּ - lanu). Indicates the inclusion of his entire travel party, not just himself, signifying a significant need for accommodation.
to lodge in?: (לָלִין - lalin). Meaning "to spend the night" or "to sojourn." This implies an overnight stay or perhaps longer, signaling their dependence on the family's generosity. The question carries urgency and vulnerability for the weary travelers.
"Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee": This phrase represents Eliezer's calculated, divinely-led investigation. His prior prayer emphasized character (service and hospitality) and lineage ("to a damsel... for my master Isaac"). His first question, "Whose daughter?", is the direct follow-up to establishing her origin within Abraham's kindred.
"is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?": This practical inquiry is crucial for logistical reasons (shelter, safety, animal care) but also serves as a test of the family's general hospitality and willingness to host strangers. In a world without inns, such an offer was a profound act of charity.
Genesis 24 23 Bonus section
- The asking of "Whose daughter art thou?" prior to any formal introduction or further questions illustrates the priority placed on familial identity and reputation in that cultural context. It immediately places the individual within a social structure, providing a framework for interaction.
- The detail of asking for lodging "for us" emphasizes the communal nature of ancient travel. Eliezer was not alone; he traveled with a retinue, necessitating a larger commitment of hospitality than for a single traveler. This added to the significance of Rebekah's family's subsequent actions.
- This interaction at the well also echoes similar biblical meeting places for significant encounters and betrothals, like Jacob meeting Rachel (Gen 29) or Moses meeting Zipporah (Ex 2). Wells served as central community hubs where women typically gathered, making them suitable and often divinely-ordained sites for such foundational encounters.
Genesis 24 23 Commentary
Genesis 24:23 marks the transition from divine leading confirmed by miraculous provision to human initiative. Eliezer's two-part question is not random but strategic. First, his query about Rebekah's parentage reveals the profound importance of lineage and family reputation in ancient Near Eastern society, especially concerning marriage. It's a pragmatic necessity to ensure she aligns with Abraham's directive. Second, his request for lodging assesses the family's hospitality—a virtue highly valued in biblical and nomadic cultures. This direct appeal tests their openness to strangers, which God often uses as a means to His ends (as seen in later instances like Lot and Rahab). This verse demonstrates faith working through practical steps: having received a divine sign, the servant diligently pursues the implications through appropriate cultural customs, seeking not only a bride's identity but also the logistical means to advance God's plan. It showcases God's Providence operating through both miraculous occurrences and ordinary, respectful human interaction and generosity.