And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban ,.... Perhaps he was her only brother, or however the elder brother, the principal in the family, her father Bethuel being old: and Laban ran out : out of his house, and out of the city of Haran: unto the man unto the well ; this was after Rebekah had got home, and had related to the family whom she had met with at the well, and what had passed between them, as follows: read more
And it came to pass, when he saw the earring, and bracelets upon his sister's hands ,.... From whence he concluded that he was a rich and generous man she had met with, and might hope to receive a gift also upon giving him an invitation to his house; or however might judge he should be no loser by receiving him kindly and entertaining him generously; therefore it was that he made haste, and ran to him to bring him in; for that Laban was of a covetous disposition, appears from the whole story... read more
And he said, come in, thou blessed of the Lord ,.... Both with temporal and spiritual blessings; he concluded he was blessed with the former by the presents he had made to his sister, and by the men that attended him, and the number of camels that were with him; and with the latter by his devotion, his worshipping of God, and thankfulness to him, which Rebekah had observed and related: some Jewish writers say F8 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 60. fol. 52. 4. Targ. Jon. in loc. , he thought he... read more
And the man came into the house ,.... Upon the pressing instance made unto him; for so it may be rendered, "wherefore the man came", &c.; F11 ויבא "intravit itaque", Tigurine version, Piscator; "quare", Schmidt. . and he ungirded his camels ; took off their bridles, which hindered them from eating, as the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi; or loosed their girts and took off their burdens, that they might have rest: this may be interpreted either of the servant and of his men by... read more
And there was set meat before them to eat ,.... By the order of Bethuel or Laban, or both; or, "afterwards was set" F12 ויישם "post appositum", Drusius, Schmidt. ; that is after care had been taken the camels, then food being provided was set before the men to refresh them: but he said, I will not eat until I have told mine errand ; or, "spoke my words" F13 דברתי דברי "donec loquar sermones meos", V. L. "vel mea verba", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator. ; delivered the... read more
Thou blessed of the Lord - Probably a usual mode of wishing prosperity, as he that is blessed of the Lord is worthy of all respect; for, enjoying the Divine favor, he is in possession of the sum of happiness. read more
Provender for the camels - These were the first objects of his care; for a good man is merciful to his beast. Water to wash his feet - Thus it thus appears that he had servants with him; and as the fatigues of the journey must have fallen as heavily upon them as upon himself, so we find no distinction made, but water is provided to wash their feet also. read more
I will not eat until I have told - In Hindoostan it is not unusual for a Brahmin to enter a house and sit down, and when meat is offered, refuse to eat till he has obtained the object of his errand. Here is a servant who had his master's interest more at heart than his own. He refuses to take even necessary refreshment till he knows whether he is likely to accomplish the object of his journey. Did not our blessed Lord allude to the conduct of Abraham's servant, John 4:34 ; : My meat is to... read more
Verse 33 33.I will not eat until I have told my errand (9) Moses begins to show by what means the parents of Rebekah were induced to give her in marriage to their nephew. That the servant, when food was set before him, should refuse to eat till he had completed his work is a proof of his diligence and fidelity; and it may with propriety be regarded as one of the benefits which God had vouchsafed to Abraham, that he should have a servant so faithful, and so intent upon his duty. Since, however,... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 24:29-53
We have here the making up of the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah. It is related very largely and particularly, even to the minute circumstances, which, we should think, might have been spared, while other things of great moment and mystery (as the story of Melchizedek) are related in few words. Thus God conceals that which is curious from the wise and prudent, reveals to babes that which is common and level to their capacity (Matt. 11:25), and rules and saves the world by the foolishness... read more