Genesis 24 · Verse 1

Genesis 24:1

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
Genesis 24:1, King James Version

Genesis 24:1 in other translations

BSBBy now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
WEBAbraham was old, and well advanced in age. The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
ASVAnd Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
YLTAnd Abraham is old, he hath entered into days, and Jehovah hath blessed Abraham in all things;
DARBYAnd Abraham was old, and advanced in age; and Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things.
BBENow Abraham was old and far on in years: and the Lord had given him everything in full measure.
WebsterAnd Abraham was old and far advanced in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

What does Genesis 24:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Ge 24:1-9. A Marriage Commission.

1. And Abraham was old ... take a wife--His anxiety to see his son married was natural to his position as a pastoral chief interested in preserving the honor of his tribe, and still more as a patriarch who had regard to the divine promise of a numerous posterity.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

Abraham, being solicitous to get his son Isaac property married, calls his confidential servant, probably Eliezer, and makes him swear that he will not take a wife for Isaac from among the Canaanites, Gen 24:1-3, but from among his own kindred, Gen 24:4. The servant proposes certain difficulties, Gen 24:5, which Abraham removes by giving him the strongest assurances of God's direction in the business, Gen 24:6, Gen 24:7, and then specifies the conditions of the oath, Gen 24:8. The form of the oath itself, Gen 24:9. The servant makes preparations for his journey, and sets out for Mesopotamia, the residence of Abraham's kindred, Gen 24:10. Arrives at a well near to the place, Gen 24:11. His prayer to God, Gen 24:12-14. Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, comes to the well to draw water, Gen 24:15. She is described, Gen 24:16. Conversation between her and Abraham's servant, in which every thing took place according to his prayer to God, Gen 24:17-21. He makes her presents, and learns whose daughter she is, Gen 24:22-24. She invites him to her father's house, Gen 24:25. He returns thanks to God for having thus far given him a prosperous journey, Gen 24:26, Gen 24:27. Rebekah runs home and informs her family, Gen 24:28; on which her brother Laban comes out, and invites the servant home, Gen 24:29-31. His reception, Gen 24:32, Gen 24:33. Tells his errand, Gen 24:34, and how he had proceeded in executing the trust reposed in him, Gen 24:35-48. Requests an answer, Gen 24:49. The family of Rebekah consent that she should become the wife of Isaac, Gen 24:50, Gen 24:51. The servant worships God, Gen 24:52, and gives presents to Milcah, Laban, and Rebekah, Gen 24:53. He requests to be dismissed, Gen 24:54-56. Rebekah, being consulted, consents to go, Gen 24:57, Gen 24:58. She is accompanied by her nurse, Gen 24:59; and having received the blessing of her parents and relatives, Gen 24:60, she departs with the servant of Abraham, Gen 24:61. They are met by Isaac, who was on an evening walk for the purpose of meditation, Gen 24:62-65. The servant relates to Isaac all that he had done, Gen 24:66. Isaac and Rebekah are married, Gen 24:67. Verse 1 And Abraham was old - He was now about one hundred and forty years of age, and consequently Isaac was forty, being born when his father was one hundred years old. See Gen 21:5; Gen 25:20.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 24:1-9
The effect of good example, good teaching, and the worship of God in a family, will generally appear in the piety, faithfulness, prudence, and affection of the servants. To live in such families, or to have such servants, both are blessings from God which should be highly valued, and thankfully acknowledged. But no concern in life is of greater importance to ourselves, to others, or to the church of God, than marriage. It therefore ought always to be undertaken with much care and prudence, especially with reference to the will of God, and with prayer for his direction and blessing. Where good parents are not consulted and regarded, the blessing of God cannot be expected. Parents, in disposing of their children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls, and their furtherance in the way to heaven. Observe the charge Abraham gave to a good servant, one whose conduct, faithfulness, and affection, to him and his family, he had long known. Observe also, that Abraham remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his birth, by the call of his grace; and therefore doubts not but He will prosper his care, not to bring his son thither again. God will cause that to end in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at his glory.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Genesis 24:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְאַבְרָהָ֣םve.'av.ra.Hamand AbrahamH85
זָקֵ֔ןza.Kenhe was oldH2204
בָּ֖אba'he had comeH935
בַּיָּמִ֑יםbai.ya.Mimin <the> daysH3117
וַֽיהוָ֛הva.Yah.wehand YahwehH3068
בֵּרַ֥ךְbe.Rakhhe had blessedH1288
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
אַבְרָהָ֖ם'av.ra.HamAbrahamH85
בַּכֹּֽל\׃ba.Kolin <the> everythingH3605

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 24:1

  • Psalms 112:1-3

    Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

  • Genesis 13:2

    And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

  • Proverbs 10:22

    The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

  • Galatians 3:9

    So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Genesis 18:11

    Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

  • Genesis 12:2

    And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

  • Ephesians 1:3

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

  • Isaiah 51:2

    Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

  • 1 Timothy 4:8

    For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

  • Genesis 24:35

    And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.

  • Genesis 21:5

    And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 Abraham swears his servant.
10 The servant's journey.
12 His prayer.
14 His sign.
15 Rebekah meets him;
18 fulfils his sign;
22 receives jewels;
23 shows her kindred;
25 and invites him home.
26 The servant blesses God.
29 Laban entertains him.
34 The servant shows his message.
50 Laban and Bethuel approve it.
58 Rebekah consents to go, and departs.
62 Isaac meets and marries her.

was old.
18:11; 21:5; 25:20; 1Ki 1:1; Lu 1:7
well stricken in age. Heb. gone into days. blessed.
35
12:2; 13:2; 49:25; Ps 112:1-3; Pr 10:22; Isa 51:2; Mt 6:33; Ga 3:9
Eph 1:3; 1Ti 4:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 24:1

    And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

  • Genesis 24:2

    And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

Read all of Genesis 24

Genesis 24:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ABRAHAM era viejo, y bien entrado en días; y Jehová había bendecido á Abraham en todo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		*Et Abraham était vieux, avancé en âge; et l’ Éternel avait béni Abraham en toute chose.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Abraham war alt, wohlbetagt, und Jehova hatte Abraham gesegnet in allem.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Erat autem Abraham senex, dierumque multorum: et Dominus in cunctis benedixerat ei.