Genesis 24:33 - Exposition

And there was set —appositus est (Vulgate); i . e . if the first word be taken, as in the Keri, as the hophal of שׂוּם ; but if the Kethib be preferred, then וַיַּישֶׂם is the fur. Kal of יָשַׂם , signifying, "and he set;" παρέθηκεν ( LXX .)—meat before him to eat (the crowning act of an Oriental reception): but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. Oriental politeness deferred the interrogation of a guest till after he had supped ('Odyss.' 3.69); but Abraham's servant hastened to communicate the nature of his message before partaking of the offered hospitality—an instance of self-forgetful zeal of which Christ was the highest example. And he ( i . e . Laban) said, Speak on.