Genesis 24:22-27 - Exposition

And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking ,—"If it is remembered that camels, though endowed in an almost marvelous degree with the power of enduring thirst, drink, when an opportunity offers, an enormous quantity of water, it will be acknowledged that the trouble to which the maiden cheerfully submitted required more than ordinary, patience" (Kalisch)— that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight ,—the נֶזֶם , was neither a pendant for the ear ( LXX ; Vulgate) nor a jewel for the forehead, but a ring for the nose ( Genesis 24:47 ), the side cartilage, and sometimes the central wall, of which was pierced for the purpose of admitting it (cf. Ezekiel 16:11 , Ezekiel 16:12 ). Such rings are still worn by Oriental women, and in particular "the nose-ring is now the usual engagement present among the Bedouins" (Delitzsch). The weight of that presented to Rebekah was one בֶקַע , or half ( sc . shekel), from בָקַע , to divide— and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;— the עָמִיר , from צָמַר , to bind or fasten, meant a circle of gold for the wrist or arm. So favorite an ornament is this of Oriental ladies, that sometimes the whole arm from wrist to elbow is covered with them; some- times two or more are worn one above the other; and not infrequently are they so numerous and heavy as almost to appear burdensome to the fair owners (Kalisch)— and said, Whose daughter art thou! tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? The production of the bridal presents, and the tenor of the old man's inquiries, indicate that already he entertained the belief that he looked upon the object of his search. All dubiety was dispelled by Rebekah's answer. And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, —to show that she was not descended from Nahor's concubine (cf. Genesis 24:15 )— which she bare unto Nahor . This appears to have been the stage at which the jewels were presented ( Genesis 24:47 ). She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in . It was now conclusively determined, by her answering all the pre-arranged criteria, that the Lord had heard his prayer and prospered his way, and that the heaven-appointed bride stood before him. And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord. The first verb expressing reverent inclination of the head, and the second complete prostration of the body, and both combining "to indicate the aged servant's deep thankfulness for the guidance of the Lord." And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham (on the import of בָּרוּךְ vide Genesis 2:1-25 :26), who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth:— literally, who hath not taken away his grace ( i . e . the free favor which bestows) and ale truth ( i . e . the faithfulness which implements promises) from (= from the house of, as in Exodus 8:8 , Exodus 8:25 , Exodus 8:26 ; Gesenius) my master (cf. Psalms 57:3 ; Psalms 115:1 ; Proverbs 20:28 )— I being in the way, the Lord led (or, hath led) me to the house of my master's brethren.