וְאַבְרָהָ֣ם זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים וַֽיהוָ֛ה בֵּרַ֥ךְ אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֖ם בַּכֹּֽל׃

And Abraham was old, advanced in years. Isaac at that time was thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old; Abraham was therefore one hundred and thirty-seven or slightly older. It is possible that this introductory phrase reflects Abraham’s perception of himself. And the Lord blessed Abraham with everything, including rest and tranquility from troubles and from his nomadic travels.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֗ם אֶל־עַבְדּוֹ֙ זְקַ֣ן בֵּית֔וֹ הַמֹּשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֥חַת יְרֵכִֽי׃

Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household. This individual was not necessarily elderly, but was the senior and most distinguished attendant, who oversaw everything that he had, the general administrator of finances in Abraham’s household. Abraham said to him: Please, place your hand under my thigh, which was an ancient manner of taking an oath. In contrast to grasping or shaking hands, which expresses a commitment between two individuals of similar social status, an oath accepted by placing one’s hand under the thigh of a seated person was typically used in the case of an agreement between an individual with a senior status and someone under his jurisdiction. By this action, the taker of the vow expresses his commitment to perform the bidding of the one administering the oath.

וְאַשְׁבִּ֣יעֲךָ֔ בַּֽיהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃

And I will administer an oath to you by the Lord, God of the heavens and the God of the earth, who is all-powerful, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose midst I live. Abraham did not know how many years he had left, and whether he would succeed in marrying off Isaac himself. He therefore requested that his servant promise not to marry off his son to one of the daughters of the Canaanites after his death.

כִּ֧י אֶל־אַרְצִ֛י וְאֶל־מוֹלַדְתִּ֖י תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֖ה לִבְנִ֥י לְיִצְחָֽק׃

Rather, you shall go to my land, Aram Naharayim, and to my birthplace, Haran, where my extended family is located, the tribe into which I was born, and take from there a wife for my son, for Isaac.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ הָעֶ֔בֶד אוּלַי֙ לֹא־תֹאבֶ֣ה הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה לָלֶ֥כֶת אַחֲרַ֖י אֶל־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את הֶֽהָשֵׁ֤ב אָשִׁיב֙ אֶת־בִּנְךָ֔ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יָצָ֥אתָ מִשָּֽׁם׃

The servant said to him: Perhaps the woman will not wish to follow me to this land, as it is a long journey to Canaan from Haran, which is located on the southern border of modern-day Turkey. What should I do if she refuses to leave her home to come here? Shall I return your son to the land from which you departed?

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו אַבְרָהָ֑ם הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֔ פֶּן־תָּשִׁ֥יב אֶת־בְּנִ֖י שָֽׁמָּה׃

Abraham said to him: Beware lest you return my son there. It was not my choice to distance myself from the land of my birth. Therefore,

יְהוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם אֲשֶׁ֨ר לְקָחַ֜נִי מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִי֮ וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ מֽוֹלַדְתִּי֒ וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּר־לִ֜י וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִֽשְׁבַּֽע־לִי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את ה֗וּא יִשְׁלַ֤ח מַלְאָכוֹ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֛ה לִבְנִ֖י מִשָּֽׁם׃

the Lord, God of the heavens, who took me from my father’s house, and from my birthplace, and who spoke to me in a prophecy, and who took an oath to me, saying: To your descendants I will give this land; He will send His angel before you to assist you, and you will successfully find and take a wife for my son from there.

וְאִם־לֹ֨א תֹאבֶ֤ה הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת אַחֲרֶ֔יךָ וְנִקִּ֕יתָ מִשְּׁבֻעָתִ֖י זֹ֑את רַ֣ק אֶת־בְּנִ֔י לֹ֥א תָשֵׁ֖ב שָֽׁמָּה׃

And if the woman will not wish to follow you, you shall be absolved from this oath of mine, and you need not continue searching for a wife for Isaac; only you shall not return my son there, as he must remain in this land. God gave me this land, and He commanded me to dwell here; therefore, my son may not leave it either.

וַיָּ֤שֶׂם הָעֶ֙בֶד֙ אֶת־יָד֔וֹ תַּ֛חַת יֶ֥רֶךְ אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲדֹנָ֑יו וַיִּשָּׁ֣בַֽע ל֔וֹ עַל־הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה׃

The servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and took an oath to him with regard to this matter.

וַיִּקַּ֣ח הָ֠עֶבֶד עֲשָׂרָ֨ה גְמַלִּ֜ים מִגְּמַלֵּ֤י אֲדֹנָיו֙ וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ וְכָל־ט֥וּב אֲדֹנָ֖יו בְּיָד֑וֹ וַיָּ֗קָם וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ אֶל־אֲרַ֥ם נַֽהֲרַ֖יִם אֶל־עִ֥יר נָחֽוֹר׃

The servant took ten of his master’s camels for the extended journey from the south of Canaan to Haran, and he went with all of his master’s goods in his hand. He took gifts and other unique articles that would convey Abraham’s status and power, as well as various items he would need during the journey. He arose and went to Aram Naharayim, to the city of Nahor.

וַיַּבְרֵ֧ךְ הַגְּמַלִּ֛ים מִח֥וּץ לָעִ֖יר אֶל־בְּאֵ֣ר הַמָּ֑יִם לְעֵ֣ת עֶ֔רֶב לְעֵ֖ת צֵ֥את הַשֹּׁאֲבֹֽת׃

At the end of his journey, he had the camels kneel, in contrast to horses and donkeys that generally drink while standing, outside the city by the well of water at evening time, at the time the women who draw water come out. Since the servant could not knock on every door searching for an appropriate wife for his master, he thought that visiting the well at this time of day would give him a good opportunity to see the local girls.

וַיֹּאמַ֓ר ׀ יְהוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם הַקְרֵה־נָ֥א לְפָנַ֖י הַיּ֑וֹם וַעֲשֵׂה־חֶ֕סֶד עִ֖ם אֲדֹנִ֥י אַבְרָהָֽם׃

He said in prayer: Lord, God of my master Abraham, please arrange it for me today, and perform kindness with my master Abraham, on his behalf and in his honor.

הִנֵּ֛ה אָנֹכִ֥י נִצָּ֖ב עַל־עֵ֣ין הַמָּ֑יִם וּבְנוֹת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י הָעִ֔יר יֹצְאֹ֖ת לִשְׁאֹ֥ב מָֽיִם׃

Behold, I stand by the spring of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.

וְהָיָ֣ה הַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֹמַ֤ר אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ הַטִּי־נָ֤א כַדֵּךְ֙ וְאֶשְׁתֶּ֔ה וְאָמְרָ֣ה שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַם־גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ אַשְׁקֶ֑ה אֹתָ֤הּ הֹכַ֙חְתָּ֙ לְעַבְדְּךָ֣ לְיִצְחָ֔ק וּבָ֣הּ אֵדַ֔ע כִּי־עָשִׂ֥יתָ חֶ֖סֶד עִם־אֲדֹנִֽי׃

It shall be that the girl to whom I shall say: Tilt your jug please, while it is still on your shoulder, which was the accepted method of giving another to drink, that I may drink, and she, that girl, shall say: Drink, and I will also give your camels to drink; I will know that it is she You have thereby confirmed to be a wife for Your servant, for Isaac; and through her, if I find such a girl, I shall know that You have shown kindness to my master.

וַֽיְהִי־ה֗וּא טֶרֶם֮ כִּלָּ֣ה לְדַבֵּר֒ וְהִנֵּ֧ה רִבְקָ֣ה יֹצֵ֗את אֲשֶׁ֤ר יֻלְּדָה֙ לִבְתוּאֵ֣ל בֶּן־מִלְכָּ֔ה אֵ֥שֶׁת נָח֖וֹר אֲחִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֑ם וְכַדָּ֖הּ עַל־שִׁכְמָֽהּ׃

It was before he concluded to speak, while he was still praying; behold, Rebecca, who was mentioned earlier (22:23), was coming out. Either she arrived first, before the other girls, or she stood out in some manner. The verse proceeds to restate her lineage: It was Rebecca who was born to Betuel, son of Milka, the primary wife , rather than a concubine, of Nahor, brother of Abraham. This is Abraham’s closest family (see 22:24). And her jug was on her shoulder as she came.

וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ טֹבַ֤ת מַרְאֶה֙ מְאֹ֔ד בְּתוּלָ֕ה וְאִ֖ישׁ לֹ֣א יְדָעָ֑הּ וַתֵּ֣רֶד הָעַ֔יְנָה וַתְּמַלֵּ֥א כַדָּ֖הּ וַתָּֽעַל׃

And the girl was good-looking, a virgin, and a man had not been intimate with her, which indicates that she was modest. Naturally, the servant became aware of these facts only later. She descended to the spring, she filled her jug, and ascended from the spring, which was slightly lower than the area surrounding it.

וַיָּ֥רָץ הָעֶ֖בֶד לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הַגְמִיאִ֥ינִי נָ֛א מְעַט־מַ֖יִם מִכַּדֵּֽךְ׃

The girl, whose dress likely indicated that she was unmarried, and who appeared to him to be the appropriate age for Isaac, impressed Abraham’s servant. Therefore, the servant ran toward her, and he said: Please allow me to sip a little water from your jug.

וַתֹּ֖אמֶר שְׁתֵ֣ה אֲדֹנִ֑י וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר וַתֹּ֧רֶד כַּדָּ֛הּ עַל־יָדָ֖הּ וַתַּשְׁקֵֽהוּ׃

She said: Drink, my lord, and she hurried and lowered her jug on her hand, and gave him to drink. Instead of tilting the jug while it was still on her shoulder, Rebecca took the extra effort of removing the heavy container from her shoulder, so that it would be easier for the servant to drink.

וַתְּכַ֖ל לְהַשְׁקֹת֑וֹ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר גַּ֤ם לִגְמַלֶּ֙יךָ֙ אֶשְׁאָ֔ב עַ֥ד אִם־כִּלּ֖וּ לִשְׁתֹּֽת׃

She concluded giving him to drink, and after he had drunk his fill she said: It is not enough for you alone to drink; I will draw for your camels and give them to drink as well, until they conclude to drink and their thirst is satiated.

וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר וַתְּעַ֤ר כַּדָּהּ֙ אֶל־הַשֹּׁ֔קֶת וַתָּ֥רָץ ע֛וֹד אֶֽל־הַבְּאֵ֖ר לִשְׁאֹ֑ב וַתִּשְׁאַ֖ב לְכָל־גְּמַלָּֽיו׃

She hurried, emptied the water that remained in her jug into the trough, ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. It is no simple matter to give ten camels all the water they require; even a single camel that has traveled a long distance will consume a tremendous amount of water.

וְהָאִ֥ישׁ מִשְׁתָּאֵ֖ה לָ֑הּ מַחֲרִ֕ישׁ לָדַ֗עַת הַֽהִצְלִ֧יחַ יְהוָ֛ה דַּרְכּ֖וֹ אִם־לֹֽא׃

Therefore, the man stared at her as she ran back and forth from the well to the trough and was astonished at her. He was still silent, waiting to know whether the Lord had made his journey successful or not. In light of her actions, he was certainly wondering about her identity and her family background, and thinking how he could learn more about her.

וַיְהִ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר כִּלּ֤וּ הַגְּמַלִּים֙ לִשְׁתּ֔וֹת וַיִּקַּ֤ח הָאִישׁ֙ נֶ֣זֶם זָהָ֔ב בֶּ֖קַע מִשְׁקָל֑וֹ וּשְׁנֵ֤י צְמִידִים֙ עַל־יָדֶ֔יהָ עֲשָׂרָ֥ה זָהָ֖ב מִשְׁקָלָֽם׃

It was when the camels concluded to drink; the man took a gold nose ring, a kind of medallion placed on one’s nose or forehead, whose weight was one half shekel, and two bracelets that were to be strapped on her hands, whose weight was ten gold shekels. Based on comparisons with other sources, these were large and expensive pieces of jewelry. The servant initially removed the ornaments from his bag, then asked her for her identity, and only upon receiving a satisfactory answer did he give her the ring and bracelets. This is the interpretation of the Rashbam and the Ramban, although Rashi (verse 23) explains the sequence of events differently.

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ בַּת־מִ֣י אַ֔תְּ הַגִּ֥ידִי נָ֖א לִ֑י הֲיֵ֧שׁ בֵּית־אָבִ֛יךְ מָק֥וֹם לָ֖נוּ לָלִֽין׃

The servant then asked Rebecca two questions: First, he said: Whose daughter are you; please tell me. It was not considered proper etiquette for a stranger to ask a girl’s name; therefore he inquired into the identity of her family. Second, he asked: Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay the night, as it is evident from your behavior that you come from a family that is hospitable to guests.

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו בַּת־בְּתוּאֵ֖ל אָנֹ֑כִי בֶּן־מִלְכָּ֕ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָלְדָ֖ה לְנָחֽוֹר׃

She said to him: I am the daughter of Betuel, son of Milka, whom she bore to Nahor.

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו גַּם־תֶּ֥בֶן גַּם־מִסְפּ֖וֹא רַ֣ב עִמָּ֑נוּ גַּם־מָק֖וֹם לָלֽוּן׃

She then said to him: With regard to your second question, both straw and feed is plentiful with us, as well as room to stay the night. She responded to the questions in the order in which they were asked. As noted by the Sages, it is considered the trait of a wise person to answer questions in the same order that they were posed.

וַיִּקֹּ֣ד הָאִ֔ישׁ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַֽיהוָֽה׃

The condition that the servant had earlier stipulated (verse 14) was merely divination, and its fulfillment alone did not prove that this girl was destined to marry Isaac. However, once it became clear that the same girl who fulfilled his conditions was also a close relative of Abraham, the man bowed and prostrated himself to the Lord.

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹֽא־עָזַ֥ב חַסְדּ֛וֹ וַאֲמִתּ֖וֹ מֵעִ֣ם אֲדֹנִ֑י אָנֹכִ֗י בַּדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ נָחַ֣נִי יְהוָ֔ה בֵּ֖ית אֲחֵ֥י אֲדֹנִֽי׃

He said: Blessed is the Lord, God of my master Abraham, who did not withhold His kindness and His truth from my master. I have been guided by the Lord on the proper and correct way, and He ensured that I traveled to the very house of my master’s brethren.

וַתָּ֙רָץ֙ הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ וַתַּגֵּ֖ד לְבֵ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

The girl ran and told her mother’s household akin to these matters.

וּלְרִבְקָ֥ה אָ֖ח וּשְׁמ֣וֹ לָבָ֑ן וַיָּ֨רָץ לָבָ֧ן אֶל־הָאִ֛ישׁ הַח֖וּצָה אֶל־הָעָֽיִן׃

Rebecca had a brother and his name was Laban. It can be inferred from the continuation of the story that Laban was the firstborn, as well as the dominant figure in the family. And Laban ran out to the man, to the spring. After Rebecca ran to her home, her brother ran from the house to discover more about the mysterious man who had arrived from afar, given gifts to his sister, questioned her, and requested to lodge in their house.

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כִּרְאֹ֣ת אֶת־הַנֶּ֗זֶם וְֽאֶת־הַצְּמִדִים֮ עַל־יְדֵ֣י אֲחֹתוֹ֒ וּכְשָׁמְע֗וֹ אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֞י רִבְקָ֤ה אֲחֹתוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כֹּֽה־דִבֶּ֥ר אֵלַ֖י הָאִ֑ישׁ וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־הָאִ֔ישׁ וְהִנֵּ֛ה עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים עַל־הָעָֽיִן׃

Perhaps in his role as the older brother Laban wanted to ensure that everything would transpire in an appropriate and ethical manner, and it was for this reason that he ran to greet the servant. However, it is also possible that his motivations were less pure. It was when he saw the nose ring and the bracelets upon his sister’s hands, an indication of wealth, and when he heard the words of Rebecca his sister, saying: So spoke the man to me, that he asked me certain questions, prayed, and engaged in other activities, but he did not relate any information about himself, that he, Laban, came to the man and behold, he was standing beside the camels at the spring.

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר בּ֖וֹא בְּר֣וּךְ יְהוָ֑ה לָ֤מָּה תַעֲמֹד֙ בַּח֔וּץ וְאָנֹכִי֙ פִּנִּ֣יתִי הַבַּ֔יִת וּמָק֖וֹם לַגְּמַלִּֽים׃

He, Laban, said: Come, blessed of the Lord; why do you stand outside when I have cleared the house so that there will be room for you and your entourage to stay? Abraham’s servant was accompanied by other subordinates, as is evident from the next verse. Laban continues: And in addition, there is even a place for the ten camels, who take up a large area.

וַיָּבֹ֤א הָאִישׁ֙ הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַיְפַתַּ֖ח הַגְּמַלִּ֑ים וַיִּתֵּ֨ן תֶּ֤בֶן וּמִסְפּוֹא֙ לַגְּמַלִּ֔ים וּמַ֙יִם֙ לִרְחֹ֣ץ רַגְלָ֔יו וְרַגְלֵ֥י הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃

The man came to the house and he, Laban, unloaded the camels; he gave straw and feed for the camels, and, as was customary in honor of a guest after a long journey, Laban gave him water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.

ויישם [וַיּוּשַׂ֤ם] לְפָנָיו֙ לֶאֱכֹ֔ל וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֹכַ֔ל עַ֥ד אִם־דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי דְּבָרָ֑י וַיֹּ֖אמֶר דַּבֵּֽר׃

Following the greeting he received, Abraham’s servant entered the house. Food was placed before him to eat, and he said: I will not eat until I have spoken my words. If the servant were to eat and lodge in the house, he would already feel a certain debt of gratitude to his hosts. Therefore, he insists on first explaining the purpose of his visit and his intentions, and only then will he eat. He, Laban, said: Speak.

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אָנֹֽכִי׃

He said: I am Abraham’s servant, and I am responsible for all matters in my master’s household.

וַיהוָ֞ה בֵּרַ֧ךְ אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֛י מְאֹ֖ד וַיִּגְדָּ֑ל וַיִּתֶּן־ל֞וֹ צֹ֤אן וּבָקָר֙ וְכֶ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֔ב וַעֲבָדִם֙ וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת וּגְמַלִּ֖ים וַחֲמֹרִֽים׃

The Lord has greatly blessed my master; and he became much more wealthy than when he lived in Haran with your family. He, God, gave him flocks and cattle, and silver and gold, and slaves and maidservants, and camels and donkeys. In addition, Abraham and Sarah were childless when they left Haran and already advanced in age, but since then,

וַתֵּ֡לֶד שָׂרָה֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת אֲדֹנִ֥י בֵן֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י אַחֲרֵ֖י זִקְנָתָ֑הּ וַיִּתֶּן־לּ֖וֹ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ׃

Sarah, my master’s wife, whom you know well, as she too is from your family, bore a son to my master after her old age. And as my master is Abraham’s foremost son, he gave to him everything that he has.

וַיַּשְׁבִּעֵ֥נִי אֲדֹנִ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּאַרְצֽוֹ׃

The previous comments invite an obvious question: If Abraham is such an illustrious and wealthy individual, and all of his wealth will be inherited by this one son, why has he sent his servant so far away to find a wife for that son? The servant therefore explains: My master administered an oath to me, saying: You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live.

אִם־לֹ֧א אֶל־בֵּית־אָבִ֛י תֵּלֵ֖ךְ וְאֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתִּ֑י וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ אִשָּׁ֖ה לִבְנִֽי׃

Rather, you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son from there. Since my master desires to remain within the framework of his family, he insisted that I should not find a wife for his son from any other nation, but only from his family.

וָאֹמַ֖ר אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֑י אֻלַ֛י לֹא־תֵלֵ֥ךְ הָאִשָּׁ֖ה אַחֲרָֽי׃

I said to my master: Perhaps the woman will not follow me. The mention of this exchange is significant for the continuation of the story.

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלָ֑י יְהוָ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי לְפָנָ֗יו יִשְׁלַ֨ח מַלְאָכ֤וֹ אִתָּךְ֙ וְהִצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכֶּ֔ךָ וְלָקַחְתָּ֤ אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִמִּשְׁפַּחְתִּ֖י וּמִבֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי׃

He said to me: The Lord, before whom I walked, whom I served, will send His angel with you and will make your path successful; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family, and from my father’s house.

אָ֤ז תִּנָּקֶה֙ מֵאָ֣לָתִ֔י כִּ֥י תָב֖וֹא אֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתִּ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֤א יִתְּנוּ֙ לָ֔ךְ וְהָיִ֥יתָ נָקִ֖י מֵאָלָתִֽי׃

If you take such a wife, then you shall be absolved of my oath, when you come to my family and request from them a wife for my son; and if they do not give her to you, you shall likewise be absolved of my oath.

וָאָבֹ֥א הַיּ֖וֹם אֶל־הָעָ֑יִן וָאֹמַ֗ר יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אִם־יֶשְׁךָ־נָּא֙ מַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכִּ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י הֹלֵ֥ךְ עָלֶֽיהָ׃

I came this day to the spring, and I said: Lord, God of my master Abraham, if You would please make the path upon which I am going successful.

הִנֵּ֛ה אָנֹכִ֥י נִצָּ֖ב עַל־עֵ֣ין הַמָּ֑יִם וְהָיָ֤ה הָֽעַלְמָה֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣את לִשְׁאֹ֔ב וְאָמַרְתִּ֣י אֵלֶ֔יהָ הַשְׁקִֽינִי־נָ֥א מְעַט־מַ֖יִם מִכַּדֵּֽךְ׃

Behold, I am standing beside the spring of water; and there will be the young woman who comes out to draw, that I say to her: Please give me a little water to drink from your jug;

וְאָמְרָ֤ה אֵלַי֙ גַּם־אַתָּ֣ה שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַ֥ם לִגְמַלֶּ֖יךָ אֶשְׁאָ֑ב הִ֣וא הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־הֹכִ֥יחַ יְהוָ֖ה לְבֶן־אֲדֹנִֽי׃

and she will say to me: You too drink, and I will draw for your camels as well; she is the woman whom the Lord has confirmed for my master’s son.

אֲנִי֩ טֶ֨רֶם אֲכַלֶּ֜ה לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־לִבִּ֗י וְהִנֵּ֨ה רִבְקָ֤ה יֹצֵאת֙ וְכַדָּ֣הּ עַל־שִׁכְמָ֔הּ וַתֵּ֥רֶד הָעַ֖יְנָה וַתִּשְׁאָ֑ב וָאֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יהָ הַשְׁקִ֥ינִי נָֽא׃

Before I concluded to speak to my heart, behold, Rebecca came out with her jug on her shoulder; and she descended to the spring, and drew. I said to her: Please give me drink.

וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר וַתּ֤וֹרֶד כַּדָּהּ֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁתֵ֔ה וְגַם־גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ אַשְׁקֶ֑ה וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ וְגַ֥ם הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים הִשְׁקָֽתָה׃

She hurried and lowered her pitcher from her shoulder, and said: Drink, and I will give to your camels to drink as well. I drank and she gave to the camels to drink as well.

וָאֶשְׁאַ֣ל אֹתָ֗הּ וָאֹמַר֮ בַּת־מִ֣י אַתְּ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל֙ בֶּן־נָח֔וֹר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָֽלְדָה־לּ֖וֹ מִלְכָּ֑ה וָאָשִׂ֤ם הַנֶּ֙זֶם֙ עַל־אַפָּ֔הּ וְהַצְּמִידִ֖ים עַל־יָדֶֽיהָ׃

I then asked her and said: Whose daughter are you? She said: Daughter of Betuel, son of Nahor, whom Milka bore to him. I subsequently placed the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms.

וָאֶקֹּ֥ד וָֽאֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה לַיהוָ֑ה וָאֲבָרֵ֗ךְ אֶת־יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִנְחַ֙נִי֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אֱמֶ֔ת לָקַ֛חַת אֶת־בַּת־אֲחִ֥י אֲדֹנִ֖י לִבְנֽוֹ׃

I bowed and prostrated myself to the Lord, and blessed the Lord, God of my master Abraham, who guided me in the true path to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. This concludes the servant’s narration of the events that led him to his hosts.

וְ֠עַתָּה אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם עֹשִׂ֜ים חֶ֧סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֕א הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֔י וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה עַל־יָמִ֖ין א֥וֹ עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל׃

And now he submits his request: If you will do kindness and truth with my master and agree to give the girl in marriage to the son of my master, tell me. And if you do not desire this match, likewise tell me; and I will turn to the right or to the left. I shall search elsewhere for a wife for the son of my master, as I can ask other family members as well.

וַיַּ֨עַן לָבָ֤ן וּבְתוּאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵיְהוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א הַדָּבָ֑ר לֹ֥א נוּכַ֛ל דַּבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ רַ֥ע אוֹ־טֽוֹב׃

Laban and Betuel answered and said: The matter comes from the Lord, and evidently it is destined in Heaven for Rebecca to marry Isaac; we can speak to you neither bad nor good. The mention of Laban’s name before his father’s is indicative of his central role; perhaps Betuel was weak or ill at the time.

הִנֵּֽה־רִבְקָ֥ה לְפָנֶ֖יךָ קַ֣ח וָלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֤י אִשָּׁה֙ לְבֶן־אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃

Behold, Rebecca is before you, take her, and go, and she shall be a wife for your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.

וַיְהִ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֛ע עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ אַ֖רְצָה לַֽיהוָֽה׃

It was when Abraham’s servant heard their statement of consent, he prostrated himself to the earth to the Lord, again expressing his thanks for the success of his mission.

וַיּוֹצֵ֨א הָעֶ֜בֶד כְּלֵי־כֶ֨סֶף וּכְלֵ֤י זָהָב֙ וּבְגָדִ֔ים וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לְרִבְקָ֑ה וּמִ֨גְדָּנֹ֔ת נָתַ֥ן לְאָחִ֖יהָ וּלְאִמָּֽהּ׃

The servant produced vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and garments, and he gave them to Rebecca; and he gave her brother and her mother precious objects, food or gifts, as a tribute for the match.

וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׁתּ֗וּ ה֛וּא וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־עִמּ֖וֹ וַיָּלִ֑ינוּ וַיָּק֣וּמוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שַׁלְּחֻ֥נִי לַֽאדֹנִֽי׃

He and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed the night, as the previous events and discussions all took place during the evening hours: He met Rebecca toward the end of the day before the sun set (verse 11). They most likely reached her house in the early evening hours, after which he dined with her family. They arose in the morning, and he, the servant, said: Send me to my master. I wish to return to him and fulfill his request. His implicit intention was that they should send the girl with him, and thereby allow him to complete his mission.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אָחִ֙יהָ֙ וְאִמָּ֔הּ תֵּשֵׁ֨ב הַנַּעֲרָ֥ אִתָּ֛נוּ יָמִ֖ים א֣וֹ עָשׂ֑וֹר אַחַ֖ר תֵּלֵֽךְ׃

Her brother, who again spoke first, and her mother said: Let the girl remain with us for a full period, one year, or ten months; afterward she shall go. It is preferable that she remain here in the meantime; she may leave after all of the necessary preparations for her departure and her wedding have been completed.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ אַל־תְּאַחֲר֣וּ אֹתִ֔י וַֽיהוָ֖ה הִצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכִּ֑י שַׁלְּח֕וּנִי וְאֵלְכָ֖ה לַֽאדֹנִֽי׃

He said to them: Do not delay me, as the Lord has made my path successful; send me and I will go to my master.

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ נִקְרָ֣א לַֽנַּעֲרָ֑ וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה אֶת־פִּֽיהָ׃

They said: We will call the girl and ask her response.

וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ לְרִבְקָה֙ וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלֶ֔יהָ הֲתֵלְכִ֖י עִם־הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וַתֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלֵֽךְ׃

They called Rebecca and said to her: Will you go with this man? Some commentaries suggest that their use of the term “this man” instead of referring to him as the servant of Abraham, was a veiled warning: Do you really agree to undertake a long journey with this unfamiliar man? She said: I will go.

וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֛וּ אֶת־רִבְקָ֥ה אֲחֹתָ֖ם וְאֶת־מֵנִקְתָּ֑הּ וְאֶת־עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם וְאֶת־אֲנָשָֽׁיו׃

After Rebecca’s response, her family were left with no choice, and therefore they sent Rebecca their sister, and her nursemaid, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.

וַיְבָרֲכ֤וּ אֶת־רִבְקָה֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ לָ֔הּ אֲחֹתֵ֕נוּ אַ֥תְּ הֲיִ֖י לְאַלְפֵ֣י רְבָבָ֑ה וְיִירַ֣שׁ זַרְעֵ֔ךְ אֵ֖ת שַׁ֥עַר שֹׂנְאָֽיו׃

They blessed Rebecca, and said to her: Our sister, may you become thousands and ten thousands. We wish that a great nation should come from you, and let your descendants defeat and inherit the gate of their enemies.

וַתָּ֨קָם רִבְקָ֜ה וְנַעֲרֹתֶ֗יהָ וַתִּרְכַּ֙בְנָה֙ עַל־הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים וַתֵּלַ֖כְנָה אַחֲרֵ֣י הָאִ֑ישׁ וַיִּקַּ֥ח הָעֶ֛בֶד אֶת־רִבְקָ֖ה וַיֵּלַֽךְ׃

Rebecca and her young women rose. Since Nahor’s family was noble and wealthy, Rebecca was sent with her nursemaid and other girls to accompany her. And they rode upon the camels, and followed the man. Rebecca’s nursemaid and servants rode on the camels that were led by Abraham’s other subordinates, while the servant took Rebecca himself, personally overseeing her well-being, and went.

וְיִצְחָק֙ בָּ֣א מִבּ֔וֹא בְּאֵ֥ר לַחַ֖י רֹאִ֑י וְה֥וּא יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הַנֶּֽגֶב׃

Isaac came from going to visit the area of Be’er Lahai Roi, the location where the angel of God had found Hagar. This name was due to Hagar’s vision of God there; it means the well [ be’er ] of the living [ ḥai ] God of my vision [ ro’i ] (see 16:14). And he, Isaac, was living in the land of the South.

וַיֵּצֵ֥א יִצְחָ֛ק לָשׂ֥וּחַ בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה לִפְנ֣וֹת עָ֑רֶב וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּ֥ה גְמַלִּ֖ים בָּאִֽים׃

Isaac went out to walk [ lasuah · ] in the field among the bushes [ siḥim ] toward evening; and he lifted his eyes, and behold, he saw camels coming.

וַתִּשָּׂ֤א רִבְקָה֙ אֶת־עֵינֶ֔יהָ וַתֵּ֖רֶא אֶת־יִצְחָ֑ק וַתִּפֹּ֖ל מֵעַ֥ל הַגָּמָֽל׃

Presumably realizing that their caravan was approaching their destination, Rebecca lifted her eyes, and she saw Isaac. Perhaps his appearance had been previously described to her, or she possibly identified him by his dress and manner as a noble individual, as he was strolling in the field rather than working. She might have intuitively sensed that he was Isaac. In any event, she was excited, and she fell from the camel. This probably means that she leaned toward the servant, who was walking next to her and leading the camel.

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־הָעֶ֗בֶד מִֽי־הָאִ֤ישׁ הַלָּזֶה֙ הַהֹלֵ֤ךְ בַּשָּׂדֶה֙ לִקְרָאתֵ֔נוּ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הָעֶ֖בֶד ה֣וּא אֲדֹנִ֑י וַתִּקַּ֥ח הַצָּעִ֖יף וַתִּתְכָּֽס׃

She said to the servant, as she leaned toward him: Who is that man who walks in the field toward us? He appears to me to be an exceptional individual. Although Rebecca had apparently already identified Isaac, perhaps she wanted her suspicions confirmed. Alternatively, the dialogue in this verse preceded the events of the previous verse. The servant said: He is my master, Isaac. She took the veil and covered herself. Since her journey was complete, and she was now about to meet her future husband, she covered herself with a veil in a formal manner.

וַיְסַפֵּ֥ר הָעֶ֖בֶד לְיִצְחָ֑ק אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה׃

The servant related to Isaac all the matters that he had done, his own actions, as well as the miraculous fashion in which his mission was accomplished.

וַיְבִאֶ֣הָ יִצְחָ֗ק הָאֹ֙הֱלָה֙ שָׂרָ֣ה אִמּ֔וֹ וַיִּקַּ֧ח אֶת־רִבְקָ֛ה וַתְּהִי־ל֥וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֖ה וַיֶּאֱהָבֶ֑הָ וַיִּנָּחֵ֥ם יִצְחָ֖ק אַחֲרֵ֥י אִמּֽוֹ׃ (פ)

Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah. As a distinguished woman, Sarah likely had her own tent, in which she kept her personal possessions. This tent, located in Hebron, remained empty after her death, and it was here that Isaac brought Rebecca. It is possible that this is the tent referred to earlier, in the story of Abraham’s hospitality to the angels (18:9–10). He took Rebecca, she became his wife, and he loved her. Isaac was comforted after his mother. Evidently, his mother had died not long before. As Sarah’s only son, Isaac felt a deep inner void upon her passing. Upon the arrival of Rebecca, he finally felt that he could be comforted after his mother’s demise. He brought Rebecca to Sarah’s tent because she was expected to take over the matriarchal role in the family, a function that she would indeed fulfill in an important sense later.