Genesis 24 37

Genesis 24:37 kjv

And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

Genesis 24:37 nkjv

Now my master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;

Genesis 24:37 niv

And my master made me swear an oath, and said, 'You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,

Genesis 24:37 esv

My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,

Genesis 24:37 nlt

And my master made me take an oath. He said, 'Do not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 37 meaning

This verse recounts Abraham's solemn command to his servant not to seek a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom Abraham resided. It highlights Abraham's urgent concern for the purity of the promised lineage, ensuring his son marries a woman from his own kin, thereby preserving the distinctness of God's covenant people.

Genesis 24 37 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission to find a suitable wife for his son, Isaac, who is the heir of God's covenant promises. Recognizing his old age and the spiritual imperative, Abraham charges his most trusted and experienced servant with this task. Abraham's primary motivation is not based on mere social convention or tribal affiliation, but on a deep understanding of God's redemptive plan and the necessity of preserving the spiritual purity of his lineage from pagan influences. The historical and cultural context underscores the importance of arranged marriages for lineage and inheritance in ancient Near Eastern society. Furthermore, the Canaanites were known for their idolatry, polytheism, and immoral practices, which stood in direct opposition to the worship of the one true God, Yahweh. Abraham's explicit command serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of God's later prohibitions against intermarriage, aimed at preventing the spiritual corruption and assimilation of His chosen people.

Genesis 24 37 Word analysis

• "And my lord" (וַיַּשְׁבִּעֵנִי אֲדֹנִי - vayyashbi'eni adoni)
  • וַיַּשְׁבִּעֵנִי (vayyashbi'eni): Literally, "and he made me swear." This Hiphil form of the verb שָׁבַע (shava') means "to cause to swear" or "to administer an oath." The root is strongly connected to the number seven (שֶׁבַע, sheva), symbolizing completeness, covenant, and solemnity. Abraham imposed a grave, binding, and comprehensive obligation on his servant.
  • אֲדֹנִי (adoni): "My lord." The servant's respectful and submissive address, reflecting profound trust and recognition of Abraham's authority as both his master and the head of the family blessed by God. This underscores the servant's commitment to Abraham's divinely-inspired instructions.
• "saying" (לֵאמֹר - lemor)
  • This particle often introduces direct speech in Hebrew, emphasizing that what follows are the precise, unadulterated words of Abraham's command. It conveys the clarity and non-negotiable nature of the instruction.
• "You shall not take" (לֹא־תִקַּח - lo-tikakh)
  • לֹא (lo): A strong, absolute negative particle, indicating an uncompromising prohibition. This is not a suggestion but a definitive, divine-like mandate.
  • תִקַּח (tikakh): Imperfect form of לָקַח (laqakh), "to take," specifically in this context meaning "to choose" or "to acquire as a wife." The prohibition covers any act of obtaining a Canaanite woman as Isaac's wife.
• "a wife" (אִשָּׁה - ishah)
  • Refers to a specific individual to become Isaac's spouse, highlighting the personal yet highly significant nature of this choice for the future of the lineage.
• "for my son" (לִבְנִי - livni)
  • Directly identifies Isaac as the recipient and key individual for whom this command is issued. Isaac is the divinely appointed heir of the covenant, making the purity of his marital choice paramount for the fulfillment of God's promises.
• "from the daughters of the Canaanites" (מִבְּנוֹת הַכְּנַעֲנִי - mib'not hak'na'ani)
  • מִבְּנוֹת (mib'not): "From the daughters of." This emphasizes the comprehensive exclusion of any female from the entire Canaanite population.
  • הַכְּנַעֲנִי (hak'na'ani): "The Canaanites." This people group, inhabiting the land promised to Abraham, was known for deep-seated idolatry, polytheism, child sacrifice, and pervasive immorality (Gen 15:16; Lev 18:24-30). Abraham's rejection of marriage into this group reveals a foundational principle of separation from spiritual corruption.
• "in whose land I dwell" (אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי יוֹשֵׁב בְּאַרְצוֹ - asher anokhi yoshev be'artso)
  • אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי יוֹשֵׁב (asher anokhi yoshev): "That I myself dwell/sit." Abraham's firsthand experience of living among the Canaanites provided a direct witness to their practices and character. This adds personal conviction and urgency to his command, underscoring the dangers he understood.
  • בְּאַרְצוֹ (be'artso): "In his land." Despite Abraham's sojourning in Canaan, he acknowledged it as the Canaanites' possession at that time (Acts 7:5). His temporary residency underscores that while physically present, his family maintained a distinct spiritual identity, refusing to integrate with the surrounding pagan culture.

• "my lord made me swear": This phrase immediately establishes the absolute seriousness and binding nature of Abraham's instruction. The servant is bound by a solemn oath to a command that holds both temporal and eternal significance, emphasizing the sacredness of the task.
• "You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites": This clear and unequivocal prohibition highlights Abraham's primary theological concern: the preservation of Isaac's spiritual purity and the integrity of the Abrahamic covenant lineage. It underscores that spiritual distinction, rather than mere ethnic origin, was the paramount factor in the selection of the bride, preventing syncretism and potential apostasy.
• "in whose land I dwell": This statement contextualizes Abraham's decision, showing that his directive stemmed from personal observation and deep awareness of the spiritual dangers posed by the Canaanite way of life. It conveys the principle of spiritual separation and faithfulness to God even while residing among a morally divergent society, foreshadowing the biblical call to be "in the world but not of the world."

Genesis 24 37 Bonus section

• Divine Providence in Marital Choice: This passage implicitly illustrates the biblical truth that God actively guides His people in critical life decisions, including the choice of a spouse. Abraham's instructions, and the servant's subsequent journey, exemplify a trust in divine leading for such a foundational event in the Messianic line.
• Safeguarding the Messianic Line: The intensity of Abraham's concern reveals the profound spiritual importance of Isaac's marriage. This choice was not merely for personal happiness but for the preservation of the unique covenant through which salvation would ultimately come to all nations via Christ, the ultimate Seed of Abraham (Gal 3:16).
• Principle of Separation from Worldliness: While directly addressing marriage, this verse provides a broader theological principle for believers: the imperative to remain spiritually separate from practices and associations that would compromise one's faith or allegiance to God. This principle applies to all areas of life where believers encounter prevailing ungodly customs.

Genesis 24 37 Commentary

Genesis 24:37 encapsulates Abraham's deep understanding of the covenant with God and his profound commitment to its perpetuation through Isaac. His command was not an act of racial prejudice, but a spiritually discerning decision rooted in God's promises and His foreknowledge of the Canaanites' corruption. Marrying into the Canaanite culture would inevitably expose Isaac and his descendants to idolatry and immoral practices, threatening to corrupt the "seed" through whom the Messiah would ultimately come. This verse therefore sets a foundational principle for believers throughout time: the necessity of maintaining spiritual distinctiveness and guarding against unholy alliances, particularly in significant life choices like marriage, to protect one's faith and the spiritual heritage of future generations. It underscores the responsibility to choose companions who fear the Lord and align with His purposes.