Genesis 24 49

Genesis 24:49 kjv

And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

Genesis 24:49 nkjv

Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left."

Genesis 24:49 niv

Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn."

Genesis 24:49 esv

Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left."

Genesis 24:49 nlt

So tell me ? will you or won't you show unfailing love and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me yes or no, and then I'll know what to do next."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 49 meaning

Genesis 24:49 captures a pivotal moment in Abraham's servant's mission to secure a wife for Isaac. Having presented compelling evidence of divine providence in guiding his journey, the servant now presses Rebekah's family—Bethuel and Laban—for a decisive and honest answer. He urges them to act with "kindness and truth" in relation to Abraham, a reflection of the covenantal faithfulness that should characterize their dealings. The servant demands a clear "yes" or "no," making it plain that if they are unwilling to cooperate with what appears to be God's will, he must immediately turn and seek alternatives to fulfill his master's divinely sanctioned request, symbolizing his determination to see God's plan realized.

Genesis 24 49 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission to find a wife for his son, Isaac, ensuring she comes from his kindred in Mesopotamia rather than the Canaanites. The narrative underscores divine providence throughout. Abraham sends his eldest servant with a solemn oath to bring a wife for Isaac from Abraham's own people. The servant arrives at Nahor's city and, praying for God's clear guidance, encounters Rebekah, whose actions confirm the servant's petition. After being invited to Rebekah's family home, the servant meticulously recounts his entire journey, Abraham's wealth, his master's instructions, his prayer, and Rebekah's timely arrival and specific actions at the well, portraying these as clear signs of the LORD's direct intervention. Verse 49 then marks the climax of this exposition, where the servant, having presented overwhelming evidence of God's hand, presses Laban and Bethuel for an immediate and truthful decision, signifying that all divine preparations are complete and their response is now paramount. This takes place within the ancient Near Eastern cultural context where arranged marriages were common and often involved lengthy negotiations and oaths.

Genesis 24 49 Word analysis

• Now then (‘attah we‘attah - now, and now): This repetition functions as an intensifier, similar to "therefore, now, really," signaling a demand for an immediate and decisive response following a detailed explanation. It carries an emphatic sense of "enough talk, now act."
• if you will deal kindly (’im yesh-kem ‘ōśîm ḥesed - if there is you doing loyalty/kindness):
  • deal kindly (ḥesed - חֶסֶד): This is a crucial Hebrew theological term, signifying steadfast love, loyal love, covenant faithfulness, or loving-kindness. It denotes an active, dependable goodness and loyalty, often in the context of a relationship or covenant. Here, the servant appeals to their obligation to act with integrity and benevolence towards Abraham, consistent with the spirit of familial ties and what God has made evident.
• and truly (we’ěmet - וֶאֱמֶת):
  • truly (’emet - אֱמֶת): Meaning truth, faithfulness, firmness, reliability. When coupled with chesed, it expresses a profound sense of loyal and dependable integrity. The servant seeks not only good will but genuine, unwavering commitment and sincerity in their decision.
• with my master (‘im ’ăḏōnî - with my master): Refers to Abraham. The "kindness and truth" are expected in their dealings concerning Abraham and his lineage, especially the divinely promised continuation through Isaac.
• tell me (haggîḏû lî - declare to me): A direct imperative, demanding a clear, unequivocal statement.
• and if not, tell me: The servant seeks a definitive answer, regardless of whether it's positive or negative. He does not want ambiguity or delay.
• that I may turn: Indicates his readiness to immediately adjust his plans.
• to the right hand or to the left: An idiom signifying exploring other options or directions. It implies a readiness to search for an alternative wife for Isaac if this prospect does not come to fruition, demonstrating the servant's commitment to Abraham's mission and divine leading. It implies a range of alternative paths, not just a binary choice.

Words-group analysis:

• "if you will deal kindly and truly": This phrase encapsulates a plea for covenantal integrity. It's not just politeness; it's an appeal to an expected standard of faithful conduct between relatives, particularly when divine leading is evident. This mirrored the qualities the servant himself exhibited (Gen 24:27) and ultimately reflects God's own character (chesed v'emet in Exod 34:6).
• "tell me; and if not, tell me": This repetition underscores the servant's demand for absolute clarity and honesty. He avoids leaving room for equivocation or half-heartedness, valuing transparent communication in a mission driven by God.
• "that I may turn to the right hand or to the left": This idiom demonstrates the servant's single-minded focus on accomplishing his task. He is not emotionally tied to Rebekah, but to fulfilling his master's instruction and God's will. It speaks to proactive discernment and readiness to move forward under divine direction, rather than dwelling on obstacles or unfavorable outcomes.

Genesis 24 49 Bonus section

• The servant's bold demand demonstrates not only his unwavering commitment to his mission but also his strong faith in the Lord who sent him. He expects a human response consistent with what God has clearly revealed.
• This verse can be seen as an early example of discerning God's will through concrete signs and then pressing for clear human cooperation, without forcing an outcome against clear signs of "no" but also without tolerating ambiguity when "yes" is strongly indicated.
• The phrase "kindly and truly" foreshadows the ethical principles that would later be codified in God's covenant with Israel, emphasizing integrity, loyalty, and trustworthiness as fundamental in human dealings, mirroring God's character.

Genesis 24 49 Commentary

Genesis 24:49 is a profound declaration of faith and determination by Abraham's servant. After laying out a clear, providential case for Rebekah being the chosen bride, he directly confronts Bethuel and Laban with an appeal to their moral character, invoking the foundational biblical virtues of chesed (steadfast love, loyalty, kindness) and emet (truth, faithfulness). This is more than polite negotiation; it's an ethical demand for honest engagement with what is clearly a divine arrangement. The servant implicitly appeals to them to mirror God's own faithfulness. His readiness to "turn to the right hand or to the left" highlights his resolute commitment to his master's mission and, ultimately, God's will, demonstrating that divine guidance offers pathways even when initial prospects might seem closed. It serves as a reminder that discerning God's will often involves proactive seeking of clarity and the readiness to shift direction if an avenue proves not to be the Lord's chosen path. It embodies a posture of both discernment and decisiveness in pursuing divine objectives.