Read Genesis 24:1-67
Gen. 24:1-9
Scholars are diverse in opinion in regards to
interpretation of this passage. While some take the placing of the hand under
the thigh as literal, still others assert the hand was placed upon the genitals
as a sign of submission, worthiness, and trust. Some even assert the hand was placed
on the thigh, not under. Some refer to it as a Hebrew idiom which referred to
Abraham’s private parts. Contrary to contemporary belief it was not a sort of risqué
activity, but one of the most serious and sincere actions between two men. Regardless
of the position held the emphasis is not on the position of the hand but on the
oath, integrity, trust, and loyalty of the person charged with the task at
hand.
“The thigh was considered the source of posterity in the
ancient world. Or more properly, the “loins” or the testicles. The phrase
“under the thigh” could be a euphemism for “on the loins.” There are two
reasons why someone would take an oath in this manner: 1) Abraham had been
promised a “seed” by God, and this covenantal blessing was passed on to his son
and grandson. Abraham made his trusted servant swear “on the seed of Abraham”
that he would find a wife for Isaac. 2) Abraham had received circumcision as
the sign of the covenant (Genesis
17:10). Our custom is to swear on a Bible; the Hebrew custom
was to swear on circumcision, the mark of God’s covenant. The idea of swearing
on one’s loins is found in other cultures, as well. The English word testify
is directly related to the word testicles.
Jewish tradition also offers a different interpretation. According to Rabbi Ibn Ezra, the phrase “under the thigh” means literally that. For someone to allow his hand to be sat on was a sign of submission to authority. If this is the symbolism, then Joseph was showing his obedience to his father by placing his hand under Jacob’s thigh. (Gen.47:27-31)
Abraham’s servant kept his oath. He not only obeyed Abraham’s instructions, but he also prayed to Abraham’s God for help. In the end, God miraculously provided Rebekah as the choice for Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24).” Got questions .org
Jewish tradition also offers a different interpretation. According to Rabbi Ibn Ezra, the phrase “under the thigh” means literally that. For someone to allow his hand to be sat on was a sign of submission to authority. If this is the symbolism, then Joseph was showing his obedience to his father by placing his hand under Jacob’s thigh. (Gen.47:27-31)
Abraham’s servant kept his oath. He not only obeyed Abraham’s instructions, but he also prayed to Abraham’s God for help. In the end, God miraculously provided Rebekah as the choice for Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24).” Got questions .org
Author’s Note: The
act of placing the hand under the thigh is representative of an oath between
the two men; it has origins ancient to Abraham. Given the context, it is of
utmost importance to Abraham and his posterity to choose a woman from his own
family [perhaps a metaphor of a believer as opposed to an unbeliever] to
inherit the Promised Land through Isaac. Previous lessons reveal that Ishmael
and his descendents were not to be the heirs of the Promised Land nor the
blessings of Abraham. Why now should Abraham violate God’s covenant by securing
a wife for his son, Isaac, whose spiritual heritage is contrary to the Promise?
The context is but another
testimony to the faith of Abraham in adhering to the Lord God’s initial
promise. The charge to his servant instills credence to that promise. The
charge also underscores the importance of choosing Isaac’s mate from the
household of Abraham and not of Ishmael or some other tribe. Obviously a Canaanite
woman, soon to be disposed of the land, would not be a suitable wife for Isaac.
This also underscores the OT and NT principle of not marrying or being yoked
together with unbelievers 2Cor.6:14. There is an inherent problem with being
yoked either in marriage or business to an unbeliever; that of having ethical
and moral beliefs contrary to the Word and one another. It’s just asking for
trouble. Marriage to any other than of the household of Abraham would
constitute an alliance with a foreigner a thereby compromising the entire
nation of Israel.
A part of Solomon’s fall was that he made
alliances with foreign nations by the marriages to various women from such
nations. The alliances served as a sort of treaty between Israel and the
nations ushering in a guarantee of peace between them. The premise being that
no nation would attack its own.
Eliezer
Most scholars agree the servant was most
likely none other than Eliezer of Damascus who has been with him the entire
journey. There is no biblical evidence to support Eliezer’s earlier demise; he
was regarded as Abraham’s most trusted servant from the beginning. Not only was
the covenant made between the two men but Abraham also gave specific
instructions on the selection of said wife. 24:10-22.
This was also a divine prophecy given by Abraham to
Eliezer as Abraham had no way of predicting the outcome with such accuracy save
it be of God.
·
Eliezer was sent to Nahor in Mesopotamia.
·
He was instructed to rest by a well at
evening to wait for the young women to draw water.
·
He was told to allow a damsel to draw water
for himself as well as his camels.
·
He was instructed to give her a golden
earring and two bracelets. He was to ask whose daughter she was.
·
Her reply was consistent with his master’s
instructions for she was indeed the daughter of a close relative 24:24-30.
Note: the fact that Eliezer had entrusted to
him 10 camels and goods [a dowry for the bride] is also a testimony of
Abraham’s faith in him; he could have taken off with the wealth and started his
own empire. But alas, I believe he was so convinced of Abraham’s faith that he
adopted it for himself.
Gen. 24:29-61
Rebekah colaborates Eliezer’s story to her kin as does
Eliezer to Laban that his mission might
be verified to Abraham’s kinfolk, presenting also the dowry for Rebekah who is
asked whether she will travel to meet her intended husband, to which she
answers, Yes.
Gen.24:62-67 The bride and groom meet for the first time.
Isaac, in the mean time was
meditating in the field in the evening and saw the camels coming while Rebekah
spies Isaac and dismounts her camel asking Eliezer whit was. Eliezer then
announces it to be Isaac, her intended husband. Rebekah then covers her face
with a vail Then Eliezer reiterates the story to Isaac who then takes Rebekah
into his mother’s tent to be her wife.
·
“And Isaac brought her into his mother
Sarah's tent,.... The apartment in which she dwelt when living; for women in
those times and places had separate apartments from their husbands; this was
done after many other things had passed, not here recorded; a conversation with
her, an espousal of her, and an introduction of her to Abraham, with whose
consent, no doubt, she had his wife's apartment allotted to her:
·
and took Rebekah, and she became his wife;
consummated the marriage, first contracted by his servant, then confirmed by
himself, and now finished:
·
and he loved her; as a man ought to love his
wife, even as his own body, Ephesians 5:28;
and she was a person to be beloved, being very fair, and of a goodly
countenance, Genesis
24:16. The Jews say she was but fourteen years of age at this
time:
·
and Isaac was comforted after his mother's
death; which was three years ago; see Gill on Genesis 25:20;
and had made such impressions upon his spirit, that at times he was very
sorrowful, and much distressed on that account; but now being blessed with so
agreeable a yokefellow, his sorrow for his mother subsided, and he became
cheerful and comfortable.” Gill's
Exposition of the Entire Bible
Note: some commentators assert that Sarah’s tent must
have been removed from Hebron to Lahairoi, in the south country.
67. And Isaac brought her into his mother's … tent—thus
establishing her at once in the rights and honors of a wife before he had seen
her features. Disappointments often take place, but when Isaac saw his wife,
"he loved her." Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Bible Commentary
24:54-67 Abraham's servant, as one that chose his work
before his pleasure, was for hastening home. Lingering and loitering no way
become a wise and good man who is faithful to his duty.
·
As children ought not to marry without their
parents' consent, so parents ought not to marry them without their own. Rebekah
consented, not only to go, but to go at once.
·
The
goodness of Rebekah's character shows there was nothing wrong in her answer,
though it be not agreeable to modern customs among us. We may hope that she had
such an idea of the religion and godliness in the family she was to go to, as
made her willing to forget her own people and her father's house.
·
Her friends dismiss her with suitable
attendants, and with hearty good wishes. They blessed Rebekah. When our
relations are entering into a new condition, we ought by prayer to commend them
to the blessing and grace of God.
·
Isaac was well employed when he met Rebekah.
·
He went out to take the advantage of a silent
evening, and a solitary place, for meditation and prayer; those divine
exercises by which we converse with God and our own hearts.
·
Holy
souls love retirement; it will do us good to be often alone, if rightly
employed; and we are never less alone than when alone.
·
Observe what an affectionate son Isaac was:
it was about three years since his mother died, and yet he was not, till now,
comforted.
·
See also what an affectionate husband he was
to his wife.
·
Dutiful sons promise fair to be
affectionate husbands; he that fills up his first station in life with honour,
is likely to do the same in those that follow.
Matthew
Henry's Concise Commentary
Author’s Note: I like the
above commentaries for their candid enlightenment and insights on the passage.
I especially enjoy Matthew Henry’s comments regarding:
·
Praying
God’s blessings upon the union.
·
The
marriage was not without consent of the bride.
·
The
importance and value of meditating in solitude.
·
The
value and importance of retirement [not in the traditional method of work related]
but simply resting from one’s work-a-day week to refresh one’s self.
·
The
affection of a man toward his wife.
·
The
example given to young men pertaining to honoring and loving their wife.
·
The
honor, respectful and submissive attitude of the bride toward her husband.
·
The
value of family input and consent.
Rebekah’s vail [also spelled
veil]: the vail was also a tribute to her humbleness, modesty and a statement
of submission, honor and respect [Gen.3:16] toward her new husband. 1Pet.3:1-7.
In Judaism, Christianity and Islam
the concept of covering the head is or was associated with propriety and
modesty. Most traditional depictions of the Virgin
Mary, the mother of Christ,
show her veiled. During the Middle Ages most European and Byzantine married
women covered their hair rather than their face, with a variety of styles of wimple,
kerchiefs and headscarfs. Veiling, covering the hair rather than the face, was
a common practice with church-going women until the 1960s, typically using lace,
and a number of very traditional churches retain the custom. Lace face-veils
are still often worn by female relatives at funerals. In North India, Hindu
women may often veil for traditional purposes, it is often the custom in rural
areas to veil in front of male elders. This veil is called the Ghoonghat or Laaj. This is to show humility and
respect to those elder to the woman, in particular elder males. The ghoonghat
is customary especially in the westerly states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Although religion stands as a
commonly held reason for choosing to veil, it has also reflects on political
regimes and personal conviction, allowing it to serve as a medium through which
personal character can be revealed.[5] Wikipedia
1Corinthians 11:2-16 The
apostle Paul addresses the dispute in the church at Corinth regarding the
covering of the head for men and women as they prayed. He concludes with the
statement in 16But if any man
be contentious, [in regards to the covering of the head as many believed it
was necessary to cover the head for salvation] we have no such custom, neither in the churches of God. The veil or
covering is a token that she is under submission [or his power] to her husband.
This
passage is a pattern for modern day engagements and marriage, for it
encompasses many of the aspects we enjoy even today, though we may not be aware
of it.
67 …he loved her. Contrary
to the belief of some Isaac’s love for Rebekah went far beyond the procreation
of children, for she was barren (25:21). To love her meant he had to
demonstrate his love by his treatment of her in his respect toward her, making
her feel loved, worthwhile, important, special, not taken for granted.
Deuteronomy 24:5 When a man hath taken a
new wife he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any
business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife
which he hath taken. I believe Isaac did exactly that, he cheered her up.
He made her feel like she was number one, special, respected and not a like a
baby factory. A lesson for contemporary society.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. What
is meant by putting the hand under the
thigh?
2. Do
we take our vows or oaths as seriously as in ancient times? Explain.
3. What
instructions were given to Eliezer by Abraham?
4. Why
is it so important not to intermarry with non-believers?
5. What
is the significance if the veil?
6. What
other similarities do you see between contemporary ancient marriages and
contemporary marriages?
7. What
do you see as lacking in contemporary marriages?
8. Though
not specified, Isaac’s marriage could be construed as “pre-arranged”. What is
your view on pre-arranged marriages?
9. What
is your view of marrying so young (Rebekah approx.14 years) today?
10. How
old was Isaac when he married Gen.25:20?
11. What
potential disparities do you see in their age gaps?
12. In
what ways do you see this passage as a pattern for marriage?
13. In contemporary society, are children raised
with the same honor, respect, integrity, humility and similar virtues? Explain.
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
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