Genesis 24:54 kjv

And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

Genesis 24:54 nkjv

And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, "Send me away to my master."

Genesis 24:54 niv

Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."

Genesis 24:54 esv

And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master."

Genesis 24:54 nlt

Then they ate their meal, and the servant and the men with him stayed there overnight. But early the next morning, Abraham's servant said, "Send me back to my master."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 54 Meaning

Genesis 24:54 depicts the culmination of Abraham's servant's successful mission. After receiving confirmation for Rebekah to become Isaac's wife, the servant and his companions shared a meal and rested for the night, symbolizing accepted hospitality and a concluded agreement. Immediately upon waking the next morning, the servant demonstrated his diligence and unwavering commitment by requesting to depart swiftly to return to his master, Abraham, and deliver the promised bride. This verse highlights the servant's focus on completing his assignment with alacrity and fidelity.

Genesis 24 54 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's crucial mission to secure a wife for Isaac from his kin in Mesopotamia, ensuring the continuity of God's covenant lineage, rather than allowing him to marry a Canaanite woman. Abraham sends his eldest servant, (traditionally identified as Eliezer), on this pivotal journey, binding him by a solemn oath. The servant arrives at the city of Nahor, providentially encounters Rebekah at the well, and immediately recognizes her as the one designated by God, due to her compassionate character and generous act of watering all his camels. Following this divine confirmation, the servant meets her family, Bethuel and Laban, and presents Abraham's lavish gifts and his proposal. After a brief discussion and recognition of God's hand in the matter, Rebekah's family grants permission for her to go with the servant to become Isaac's wife. Verse 54 immediately follows this familial consent, signifying the successful completion of the core mission, and sets the stage for the servant's urgent desire to return, which continues into the subsequent verses where he insists on prompt departure despite the family's wish to delay.

Genesis 24 54 Word analysis

• Then they ate (וַיֹּאכְלוּ - vayyokhelu): The Hebrew imperfect consecutive "ate" indicates a continuous action following the preceding events. Eating and sharing a meal was a common practice in the ancient Near East, symbolizing accepted hospitality, peace, and the formal sealing of agreements or fellowship between parties. It marks a moment of shared rest and acceptance after the crucial negotiations.
• and drank (וַיִּשְׁתּוּ - vayyishtu): Paired with eating, emphasizing a full, nourishing act of hospitality. It speaks of refreshment after a long journey and tense negotiation, a basic human need met within the host's provision.
• he (הוּא - hu): Specifically refers to Abraham's servant, singling him out within the group, yet indicating his shared participation in the act of fellowship with Rebekah's family. It underscores his central role.
• and the men who were with him (וְהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר עִמֹּו - veha'anashim asher immo): Denotes the servant's retinue or caravan, implying that the mission was carried out with the proper logistical support and witnesses. Their presence also indicates the substantial nature of Abraham's envoy.
• and lodged there (וַיָּלִינוּ - vayyalinu): Means "and they spent the night." This was another indispensable element of hospitality in the ancient world. It offered necessary rest after a long day of travel and crucial discussion, but also signifies the full acceptance by Rebekah's family into their home.
• And they rose in the morning (וַיָּקוּמוּ בַבֹּקֶר - vayyakumu baboker): Rising early often indicates readiness for action, eagerness, or purpose in biblical narratives. Here, it contrasts with leisurely lingering and demonstrates the servant's promptness to resume his journey, emphasizing his focus on the task rather than personal comfort or prolonged socialization.
• and he said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): The servant takes the initiative to speak, making a direct and firm declaration of his immediate desire. This highlights his assertiveness and unwavering dedication to his master's charge.
• 'Send me away (שַׁלְּחֵנִי - shallecheni): Derived from the Hebrew root שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send," "to send forth," or "to dismiss." This is a respectful yet urgent request to be granted permission to depart. It demonstrates a desire to expedite the mission rather than delaying.
• to my master' (לַאדֹנִי - la'adoni): Refers to Abraham. This phrase unequivocally states his ultimate loyalty and the purpose of his mission – to return to his master and report on its successful completion. It encapsulates the core ethic of a faithful servant: allegiance and accountability to the one who sent him. The entire undertaking is for Abraham and for the continuation of God's promise through him.

Genesis 24 54 Bonus section

• The servant's consistent character of earnest prayer and immediate follow-through (Gen 24:12, 19, 21, 26, 48) is reaffirmed in this verse's display of promptness. He prioritizes God's appointed timing and his master's directive.
• The desire for immediate departure subtly contrasts with common customs where a betrothed woman might stay longer with her family before joining her husband. This highlights the unique, divinely ordained urgency of Isaac's marriage in the unfolding covenant narrative.
• The entire mission of the servant, culminating here, can be seen as a beautiful Old Testament type or shadow of the Holy Spirit (the "other Helper" or "Paraclete") being sent by the Father (Abraham) to prepare a bride (the Church) for the Son (Isaac), and ultimately bringing the bride back to the Son. The servant's steadfast loyalty and urgent desire to complete his task echo the Spirit's work.

Genesis 24 54 Commentary

Genesis 24:54 acts as a concise transition point, beautifully capturing the blend of social custom and determined purpose. The shared meal and night's lodging illustrate the established hospitality of the ancient Near East and the warm acceptance by Rebekah's family of the marriage proposal, marking a period of communal peace and fellowship. However, the servant's immediate and polite request to "send me away to my master" the very next morning starkly emphasizes his unwavering diligence and single-minded devotion to his mission. This quick transition from restful hospitality to resolute departure underscores a key characteristic of faithfulness: once God's will is clearly identified and accomplished, there should be no delay in completing the work assigned. The servant's focus remains squarely on Abraham, signifying his loyalty and accountability to the covenant family, making his journey a potent example of prioritizing divine commission above all else. This narrative moment teaches the importance of acting with promptness and faithfulness once one knows God's leading, avoiding procrastination in fulfilling the assigned tasks, especially when it involves significant spiritual or communal outcomes.