Genesis 24:43 kjv

Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

Genesis 24:43 nkjv

behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,"

Genesis 24:43 niv

See, I am standing beside this spring. If a young woman comes out to draw water and I say to her, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar,"

Genesis 24:43 esv

behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, "Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,"

Genesis 24:43 nlt

See, I am standing here beside this spring. This is my request. When a young woman comes to draw water, I will say to her, "Please give me a little drink of water from your jug."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 43 Meaning

Genesis 24:43 is a part of Abraham’s servant's recounting of his prayer to Rebekah's family. In this verse, the servant details the specific divine sign he requested at the well of water. He intended to approach a young woman drawing water and humbly ask her for a drink from her pitcher. This simple request was the first part of a two-part test, designed to reveal God’s chosen woman for Isaac through her spontaneous display of hospitality and willingness to serve.

Genesis 24 43 Context

Genesis 24 is devoted entirely to finding a suitable wife for Isaac, highlighting Abraham's commitment to divine guidance for his household's lineage. Abraham charges his senior servant, Eliezer, with the task of traveling to Mesopotamia to find a bride from Abraham's relatives, explicitly forbidding a Canaanite woman. Upon reaching Nahor, the servant strategically stops by a well outside the city, a known gathering place for women in the evening. Before the women even appear, he utters a detailed prayer, requesting a specific set of actions from the chosen woman as a sign of divine confirmation. Verse 43 is the servant's re-narration of this prayer and the precise conditions he laid before the Lord. Its repetition within the chapter emphasizes the providential nature of Rebekah’s selection and God's faithfulness in answering specific prayers. The immediate historical context involves ancient Near Eastern marriage customs and the importance of tribal purity.

Genesis 24 43 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): An exclamation signaling a vivid presentation or drawing attention to something important about to be observed or described. It indicates immediacy and a sense of "here it is," reflecting the servant's focused expectation.
• I (אָנֹכִי - ʾānōḵî): An emphatic form of "I," stressing the servant's personal presence and readiness to act, not just an abstract idea. It shows his commitment to his part of the divine test.
• stand (עֹמֵד - ʿōmēḏ): A participle, denoting a state of being "standing" or "stationed." It implies a posture of readiness, watchfulness, and patient waiting at a specific spot.
• by the well (עַל־מַעְיַן - ʿal-maʿyan): Specifies the location. Wells or springs were vital for survival and served as key social gathering points in ancient Near Eastern communities, especially for women drawing water. It was a natural place for such an encounter.
• of water (הַמַּיִם - hammayim): Clarifies the "well" as a source of "water," essential for life, often symbolizing provision and spiritual sustenance in the Bible.
• and it shall come to pass (וְהָיָה - wəhāyāh): A common Hebrew construct signaling that what follows is a destined or predetermined event, occurring in response to prayer or divine decree. It conveys certainty of outcome.
• that the virgin (הַבְּתוּלָה - habbaṯûlāh): The definite article points to a specific "virgin" or "maiden" God would designate. This term typically refers to an unmarried young woman, suitable for marriage, implying purity and unavailability for other relationships.
• comes forth (הַיֹּצֵאת - hayyōṣēʾṯ): A feminine participle, describing the action of someone "coming out" or "going forth." It implies she is on her way to perform a daily duty.
• to draw water (לִשְׁאֹב - lišəʾōḇ): Specifies her purpose. Drawing water was a common, arduous, and essential household chore for women, indicating diligence and strength.
• and I say (וְאָמַרְתִּי - wəʾāmarətî): Continues the sequence of actions initiated by the servant, indicating his proactive step in the proposed test.
• to her (אֵלֶיהָ - ʾēlêhā): Directs the servant's words specifically to the designated woman.
• Please let me drink (הַשְׁקִינִי־נָא - hašəqînî-nāʾ): An imperative verb with "נָא" (nāʾ), a particle indicating politeness, entreaty, or humble request. It’s a respectful petition, not a demand.
• a little water (מְעַט־מַיִם - məʿaṭ-mayim): A humble and minimal request, testing her generosity and willingness to give even from her limited provision without hesitation.
• from your pitcher (מִכַּדֵּךְ - mikkaddēḵə): Specifically from her personal vessel, requiring her direct effort and sharing from what she had just labored to acquire.

Words-group Analysis

• "Behold, I stand by the well of water": This phrase sets the stage for a divine appointment at a common meeting place. The servant's "standing" signifies a prepared posture of patient, active waiting for God to reveal His plan.
• "and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin comes forth to draw water": This group outlines the specific, observable condition for identifying the prospective bride. "It shall come to pass" indicates divine orchestration, while "virgin" and "comes forth to draw water" describe her purity, age, and industrious nature.
• "and I say to her, 'Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher'": This is the initial part of the servant's carefully crafted test. It is a seemingly small and polite request designed to elicit a spontaneous, character-revealing response beyond mere duty, showcasing genuine hospitality and readiness to serve a stranger.

Genesis 24 43 Bonus section

The narrative of Gen 24:43, being part of Abraham's servant's recounted prayer, gains an extra layer of emphasis. The repetition (first prayed in 24:12-14, then narrated in 24:42-43) highlights the servant’s exactness and integrity in carrying out Abraham's command and recounting God's faithful answer. This precise divine answer to a detailed request underscores God's personal involvement in the seemingly minute details of our lives. It suggests that clear spiritual guidance is not always through mystic revelations but can manifest through observable acts of godly character performed in everyday contexts. The servant’s prayer models waiting patiently and purposefully upon God.

Genesis 24 43 Commentary

Genesis 24:43 unveils the practical outworking of faithful prayer and reliance on divine guidance for significant life decisions. The servant's prayer was not vague but remarkably specific, demonstrating his earnest desire for clear confirmation of God's will in an unsearchable matter. His choice of a simple request for "a little water" from her pitcher served as a subtle but profound test. It was designed to assess the prospective bride's character: her generosity (giving of her own labor's fruit), compassion (responding to a stranger's thirst), and diligent service (the very act of drawing water itself). This specific sign highlights that God often answers prayer through ordinary human interactions and observable traits. The scene prefigures the diligent search for a bride—a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Divine Bridegroom, sending His Spirit (the Servant) to gather His Bride (the Church), who demonstrates virtues akin to Rebekah's. The focus is not just on finding a spouse but on God's active involvement in establishing His covenant line and purposes.