Genesis 24:9 kjv

And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

Genesis 24:9 nkjv

So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Genesis 24:9 niv

So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

Genesis 24:9 esv

So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

Genesis 24:9 nlt

So the servant took an oath by putting his hand under the thigh of his master, Abraham. He swore to follow Abraham's instructions.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 9 Meaning

Genesis 24:9 describes the moment Abraham's senior servant solemnly takes an oath to fulfill the crucial mission of finding a wife for Isaac from Abraham's own kin, not from the Canaanites. This unique oath-taking ritual, involving placing the hand under Abraham's thigh, signifies the profound gravity, sacredness, and binding nature of the servant's commitment, ensuring the continuity of the divine covenant through Abraham's designated heir.

Genesis 24 9 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission for his trusted senior servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham, now old, is deeply concerned that Isaac, the heir of God's covenant promises, marry a woman from his own kin in Mesopotamia, not a Canaanite, who would likely lead Isaac to idolatry and violate the separation God called for. This verse directly follows Abraham’s solemn instruction to the servant regarding the task. The cultural context emphasizes the supreme importance of lineage, endogamy (marriage within the family/tribe) for maintaining purity of bloodlines and religious identity, and the binding nature of an oath, often seen as an appeal to divine witness. An oath of this kind was not taken lightly and signified absolute commitment to the agreed task, with potential severe spiritual consequences for breaking it.

Genesis 24 9 Word analysis

• So the servant: The Hebrew הָעֶבֶד (ha-ev́ed) literally "the servant." This refers to Abraham's chief steward, likely Eliezer of Damascus (Gen 15:2), though not named in this chapter. He is characterized by deep loyalty and faithfulness to Abraham. His elevated status within Abraham's household indicates that Abraham entrusts him with matters of profound importance.
• put his hand: The Hebrew יָד (yad) for "hand" represents not merely a physical limb, but often authority, power, or personal involvement and commitment. The act signifies a deeply personal and solemn pledge.
• under the thigh: The Hebrew יֶרֶךְ (yerekh) refers to the hip or upper thigh area. This particular custom of oath-taking is unique to these few instances in Genesis (here and Gen 47:29, when Jacob makes Joseph swear). The thigh, especially in males, was understood to be the source of generative power and progeny (Gen 46:26 refers to Jacob's descendants as coming "from his loins," a related concept). Placing a hand under the thigh in an oath likely invoked the promise of descendants or implied an appeal to the very essence of Abraham's posterity, linking the oath to the covenant promises of abundant seed, thus ensuring the sanctity and grave importance of the vow for the future of Abraham's line. It may also signify a symbolic touching of the procreative covenant as Abraham's circumcision marked him in that same area.
• of Abraham his master: The Hebrew אֲדֹנָיו (adońav) refers to "his master" or "lord." This highlights the hierarchical relationship and the servant's subordination and complete obedience to Abraham’s will, underscoring the trust placed in him. The master's authority provided the binding force behind the oath.
• and swore: The Hebrew וַיִּשָּׁבַע (vay-yish-sha'va) comes from the root שָׁבַע (shava), meaning "to swear, to take an oath." It inherently implies invoking a divine power or witness to guarantee the truthfulness and binding nature of the promise. An oath was a profound religious act, not merely a legal formality. It underscored the covenant nature of the undertaking, where God Himself was called upon as witness.
• to him: "Him" refers to Abraham, the recipient and authority of the oath.
• concerning this matter: This refers specifically to the task of finding Isaac a wife from Abraham's relatives in Mesopotamia, and importantly, not from the Canaanites (Gen 24:3-4). The specificity of the "matter" indicates Abraham's meticulous instructions and the servant's clear understanding of the parameters.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So the servant put his hand under the thigh... and swore to him": This entire phrase describes a formalized, ritualistic act of covenant oath. It is a profoundly intimate, sacred, and binding gesture that signifies utmost commitment and the solemnity of the agreement, invoking the life force or continuity of Abraham's lineage, under the watch of God.
• "of Abraham his master... concerning this matter": This highlights the servant's absolute submission to Abraham's divine mandate. The "matter" is the continuity of the covenant through the chosen lineage, showing that the servant understands the cosmic significance of his task beyond mere instruction.

Genesis 24 9 Bonus section

The ancient practice of oath-taking, particularly one so profound and unique, reveals a worldview deeply rooted in spiritual accountability. The invoking of God (even if implicitly in non-explicit religious oaths) to witness a promise indicates that true faithfulness transcended mere human agreement; it involved a vertical dimension. The fidelity of this servant, unnamed in the immediate context of the oath, serves as a powerful biblical example of devoted and trustworthy service. The care taken to secure Isaac's bride from outside Canaan also highlights the pervasive theological concern within Genesis for maintaining the distinctness of God's chosen people and the purity of the covenant lineage, directly polemicizing against pagan syncretism.

Genesis 24 9 Commentary

Genesis 24:9 is pivotal, underscoring the supreme gravity of the mission to find Isaac a wife. The unique act of the servant placing his hand under Abraham’s thigh, far from being a casual gesture, was a solemn oath ritual invoking Abraham's generative capacity and thus the very covenant promises God had made concerning his seed. It demonstrated the servant’s unwavering commitment, knowing that his fidelity was crucial to the continuity of God's redemptive plan through Isaac. This act elevated the servant's mission from a domestic chore to a divinely ordained undertaking. The sacred nature of the oath bound the servant not just to Abraham, but indirectly to God's promise, highlighting trust, obedience, and the faithfulness of a steward. The servant's subsequent journey and reliance on divine guidance reflect the weight of this oath and its lasting impact on the narrative.