Genesis 24:56 kjv

And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

Genesis 24:56 nkjv

And he said to them, "Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master."

Genesis 24:56 niv

But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master."

Genesis 24:56 esv

But he said to them, "Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master."

Genesis 24:56 nlt

But he said, "Don't delay me. The LORD has made my mission successful; now send me back so I can return to my master."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 56 Meaning

In Genesis 24:56, Abraham's servant unequivocally asserts that God, specifically YHWH, has undeniably granted success to his mission to find a wife for Isaac. Therefore, he insists there is no justifiable reason for delay, urging Rebekah's family to send him back to his master promptly. His statement highlights the divine origin of his successful journey, compelling immediate action to fulfill his duty.

Genesis 24 56 Context

Genesis 24 describes Abraham's meticulous mission to secure a wife for his son, Isaac, from his own people in Mesopotamia, specifically to avoid Canaanite women. Abraham commissions his chief servant, binding him with a solemn oath. The servant embarks on the long journey, and upon arriving, he immediately prays for clear divine guidance in identifying the right woman, a sign that God answers promptly and precisely through Rebekah. Having received this clear divine affirmation and confirmation from Rebekah's family that "the thing comes from the LORD," the servant now feels compelled to complete his mission by returning to Abraham. He rejects the family's desire for Rebekah to stay for "some days," viewing any further delay as impeding God's manifest plan and his sworn duty. This verse encapsulates his conviction that divine intervention overrules human customs and courtesy. Historically, in the ancient Near East, prolonged hospitality was customary, and the family's request for delay was culturally normal, but the servant prioritized his spiritual duty and God's evident work above these social norms.

Genesis 24 56 Word analysis

• And he said to them: וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer) to אֲלֵיהֶם (alehem). This is a common Hebrew narrative construct, simply indicating the beginning of the servant's direct speech. "Them" refers to Laban and Rebekah's mother, and implicitly Bethuel (though he speaks less often in the narrative).
• “Do not hinder me (אַל-תְּאַחֲרוּניני - al-t'akharuni)":
  • אַל (al): A negative imperative, meaning "do not."
  • תְּאַחֲרוּ (t'akharu): Piel imperative from אָחַר (ʾaḥar), meaning "to delay, to tarry, to hold back." The servant's plea is direct and urgent, signifying his conviction that any delay would be an impediment to God's evident will.
• since the LORD (כַּֽאֲשֶׁר (ka'asher) יְהוָה (YHWH)):
  • כַּֽאֲשֶׁר (ka'asher): "Because," "since," or "just as." It introduces the foundational reason for his immediate departure.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name. This emphasizes that it is not general good fortune or a random event, but the sovereign act of the God of Abraham who has directly intervened. This stands in stark contrast to pagan notions of fate or fickle deities, highlighting YHWH's personal and direct involvement.
• has prospered my way (הִצְלִיחַ (hitsliakh) דַּרְכִּי (darki)):
  • הִצְלִיחַ (hitsliakh): Hiphil perfect of צָלַח (tsalach), "to prosper, succeed, be successful." The Hiphil stem indicates that YHWH caused the success; He actively brought prosperity to the servant's path. It signifies divine intervention, not mere coincidence or human effort.
  • דַּרְכִּי (darki): "My way" or "my journey/mission." It refers to the entire endeavor from Abraham's oath to the successful identification of Rebekah and the family's agreement. The success of the journey is not attributed to the servant's skill but to God's enabling hand.
• Send me away (שַׁלְּחוּנִי (shalkhuni)): Piel imperative of שָׁלַח (shalakh), meaning "to send forth, send away, dismiss." A direct request for release and permission to leave, indicating a state of being ready for departure.
• that I may go to my master (וְאֵלֵכָה (v'elekhah) אֶל-אֲדֹנִי (el-adoni)):
  • וְאֵלֵכָה (v'elekhah): From הָלַךְ (halakh), "to go." Expresses the purpose of being sent away—to continue the journey.
  • אֶל-אֲדֹנִי (el-adoni): "To my master." Highlights the servant's ultimate loyalty and immediate objective: reporting back to Abraham and bringing Rebekah.

Words-group Analysis:

• “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way”: This is the core of the servant's argument. He asserts a divine mandate overriding any social custom. The clear demonstration of God's providence (YHWH has prospered my way) becomes the indisputable justification for immediate departure (Do not hinder me). It's a theological argument for swift obedience to God's will. The term "prospered" here implies divine approval and completion of the critical stage of the mission. Any delay would be viewed as an obstruction to God's established plan.
• “Send me away that I may go to my master”: This concluding phrase demonstrates the servant's singular focus and unwavering sense of duty. His desire is not for personal rest or prolonged hospitality but to fulfill his covenant obligation to Abraham. This immediate readiness underscores his dedication and reverence for his oath and, more importantly, for God's clear leading in his successful journey. His loyalty to his earthly master mirrors, in a sense, a believer's dedication to the Heavenly Master once His will is apparent.

Genesis 24 56 Bonus section

• The servant's persistent urgency to return speaks to a character driven by purpose and faithfulness, valuing the completion of his divine-blessed task above personal comfort or social norms. This contrasts with modern tendencies to procrastinate or prioritize personal preference over clear spiritual directives.
• The incident highlights the belief system prevalent within Abraham's household: a strong faith in YHWH as the active, intervening God who directs even logistical details of life. This narrative provides an internal theological justification for the servant's actions that the family eventually accepts, emphasizing the authority of God's will.
• The servant’s unwavering focus also indirectly serves as a type of the Holy Spirit, who, having completed the work of bringing a "bride" (the Church) to the Son (Christ), is ever ready to present her to the Father's house, not lingering in the world unnecessarily.

Genesis 24 56 Commentary

Genesis 24:56 serves as a powerful testament to the servant's profound conviction in God's immediate and unmistakable guidance. His refusal to accept delay is not rude but a resolute act of spiritual prioritization. Having prayed for specific divine direction and witnessing its precise fulfillment, he recognizes God's hand in every step of the journey. The phrase "the LORD has prospered my way" is the absolute justification for his urgency. He understood that God's work, once clearly revealed and confirmed, requires prompt and unimpeded obedience. To tarry would be to diminish the manifest glory of God's providence and to shirk his sworn duty. This passage instructs believers on the importance of recognizing God's active involvement in their lives and responding with timely obedience when His will is evident, valuing spiritual purpose above human convenience or social pleasantries. It teaches a model of faith-driven action where God's clear leading leaves no room for hesitation or deferment of duty.