Old Testament · Law

Genesis 24:17

A Bride for Isaac

So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.” Genesis 24:17 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Genesis 24:17, in plain English

The servant runs to meet her and politely asks for a small drink of water from her jar.

Why it's here

The servant acts quickly, moving toward her with his request. He's not demanding—he asks politely and asks for 'a little water,' which is a modest request. He's treating her respectfully, and now she'll have the opportunity to respond. This is the moment where her character will be revealed.

Who's speaking

The servant is speaking to Rebekah, making his request.

Where it sits in the story

The servant is faithful to his prayer. He's created the test circumstance, and now he's about to see how Rebekah responds. What happens next will demonstrate her character.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

The servant approaches Rebekah directly and requests a small drink from her water jar.

Language and setting

The servant's request (הַשְׁקִינִי־נָא מְעַט מַיִם מִכַּדֵּךְ, hashkini-na me'at mayim mikadek) is formally polite ('please'), establishing a respectful and humble tone. He asks for 'a little water' (מְעַט, me'at)—the minimum, which demonstrates that he is not imposing.

Voice

The servant, initiating the encounter

Significance

The servant's action fulfills the first part of his proposed sign—he now awaits to see if Rebekah will respond with the generosity that would mark her as covenant-worthy.

In context

Genesis 24:15–19

15Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.

16Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.

17So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.”

18“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

19After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.”

Read all of Genesis 24 — A servant, a prayer, a woman at a well. One of the Bible's most beautiful stories of providence unfolds in the smallest details.

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