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A Wife for Isaac
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
A Wife for Isaac
Abraham was now a very old man, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
Abraham was now a very old man, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh.
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.
But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.”
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
The servant asked, “But what if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to travel so far from home? Should I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives in the land you came from?”
And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
“No!” Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there.
The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
If she is unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this oath of mine. But under no circumstances are you to take my son there.”
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
So the servant took an oath by putting his hand under the thigh of his master, Abraham. He swore to follow Abraham’s instructions.
And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
Then he loaded ten of Abraham’s camels with all kinds of expensive gifts from his master, and he traveled to distant Aram-naharaim. There he went to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled.
And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
He made the camels kneel beside a well just outside the town. It was evening, and the women were coming out to draw water.
And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
“O LORD, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham.
Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water.
And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ — let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.”
Rebekah is Chosen
And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah.
And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
Rebekah was very beautiful and old enough to be married, but she was still a virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came up again.
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.”
And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
“Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink.
And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
When she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.”
And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
So she quickly emptied her jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw water for all his camels.
And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
The servant watched her in silence, wondering whether or not the LORD had given him success in his mission.
And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
“Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “And please tell me, would your father have any room to put us up for the night?”
And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
“I am the daughter of Bethuel,” she replied. “My grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.
She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
Yes, we have plenty of straw and feed for the camels, and we have room for guests.”
And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
The man bowed low and worshiped the LORD.
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
“Praise the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. “The LORD has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.”
And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
The young woman ran home to tell her family everything that had happened.
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, who ran out to meet the man at the spring.
And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
He had seen the nose-ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man had said. So he rushed out to the spring, where the man was still standing beside his camels.
And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
Laban said to him, “Come and stay with us, you who are blessed by the LORD! Why are you standing here outside the town when I have a room all ready for you and a place prepared for the camels?”
And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
So the man went home with Laban, and Laban unloaded the camels, gave him straw for their bedding, fed them, and provided water for the man and the camel drivers to wash their feet.
And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
Then food was served. But Abraham’s servant said, “I don’t want to eat until I have told you why I have come.”
“All right,” Laban said, “tell us.”
“All right,” Laban said, “tell us.”
And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
“And the LORD has greatly blessed my master; he has become a wealthy man. The LORD has given him flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, a fortune in silver and gold, and many male and female servants and camels and donkeys.
And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
“When Sarah, my master’s wife, was very old, she gave birth to my master’s son, and my master has given him everything he owns.
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
And my master made me take an oath. He said, ‘Do not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.
But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
Go instead to my father’s house, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son.’
And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
“But I said to my master, ‘What if I can’t find a young woman who is willing to go back with me?’
And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
He responded, ‘The LORD, in whose presence I have lived, will send his angel with you and will make your mission successful. Yes, you must find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father’s family.
Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
Then you will have fulfilled your obligation. But if you go to my relatives and they refuse to let her go with you, you will be free from my oath.’
And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
“So today when I came to the spring, I prayed this prayer: ‘O LORD, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this mission.
Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
See, I am standing here beside this spring. This is my request. When a young woman comes to draw water, I will say to her, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.”
And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
If she says, “Yes, have a drink, and I will draw water for your camels, too,” let her be the one you have selected to be the wife of my master’s son.’
And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
“Before I had finished praying in my heart, I saw Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’
And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ So I drank, and then she watered the camels.
And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
“Then I asked, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel, and my grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.’ So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.
And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.
“Then I bowed low and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham, because he had led me straight to my master’s niece to be his son’s wife.
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.
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.”
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The LORD has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say.
Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.
Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed.”
And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.
When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD.
And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
Then he brought out silver and gold jewelry and clothing and presented them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive presents to her brother and mother.
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.
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.”
But early the next morning, Abraham’s servant said, “Send me back to my master.”
And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
“But we want Rebekah to stay with us at least ten days,” her brother and mother said. “Then she can go.”
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.
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.”
And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
“Well,” they said, “we’ll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks.”
And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
So they called Rebekah. “Are you willing to go with this man?” they asked her.
And she replied, “Yes, I will go.”
And she replied, “Yes, I will go.”
And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
So they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent her away with Abraham’s servant and his men. The woman who had been Rebekah’s childhood nurse went along with her.
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
They gave her this blessing as she parted:
“Our sister, may you become
the mother of many millions!
May your descendants be strong
and conquer the cities of their enemies.”
“Our sister, may you become
the mother of many millions!
May your descendants be strong
and conquer the cities of their enemies.”
And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
Then Rebekah and her servant girls mounted the camels and followed the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and went on his way.
Isaac Marries Rebekah
And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.
Meanwhile, Isaac, whose home was in the Negev, had returned from Beer-lahai-roi.
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming.
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly dismounted from her camel.
For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
“Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?” she asked the servant.
And he replied, “It is my master.” So Rebekah covered her face with her veil.
And he replied, “It is my master.” So Rebekah covered her face with her veil.
And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done.
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.