Genesis 24 · Verse 12

Genesis 24:12

And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
Genesis 24:12, King James Version

Genesis 24:12 in other translations

BSB“O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
WEBHe said, “LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
ASVAnd he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham.
YLTAnd he saith, ‘Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, cause to meet, I pray Thee, before me this day--(and do kindness with my lord Abraham;
DARBYAnd he said, Jehovah,God of my master Abraham, meet me, I pray thee, with thy blessing this day, and deal kindly with my master Abraham.
BBEAnd he said, O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, let me do well in what I have undertaken this day, and give your mercy to my master Abraham.
WebsterAnd he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, prosper me this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

What does Genesis 24:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. And he said, O Lord God of my master--The servant appears worthy of the master he served. He resolves to follow the leading of Providence; and while he shows good sense in the tokens he fixes upon of ascertaining the temper and character of the future bride, he never doubts but that in such a case God will direct him.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 And he said, O Lord God, etc. - "The conduct of this servant," says Dr. Dodd, "appears no less pious than rational. By supplicating for a sign, he acknowledges God to be the great superintendent and director of the universe, and of that event in particular; and at the same time, by asking a natural sign, such as betokened humanity, condescension, and other qualities which promised a discreet and virtuous wife, he puts his prayer upon such a discreet, rational footing, as to be a proper example for all to imitate who would not tempt the providence of God, by expecting extraordinary signs to be given them for the determination of cases which they are capable of deciding by a proper use of their rational faculties." This is all very good; but certainly the case referred to here is such a one as required especial direction from God; a case which no use of the rational faculties, without Divine influence, could be sufficient to determine. It is easy to run into extremes, and it is very natural so to do. In all things the assistance and blessing of God are necessary, even where human strength and wisdom have the fullest and freest sphere of action; but there are numberless cases, of infinite consequence to man, where his strength and prudence can be of little or no avail, and where the God of all grace must work all things according to the counsel of his own will. To expect the accomplishment of any good end, without a proper use of the means, is the most reprehensible enthusiasm; and to suppose that any good can be done or procured without the blessing and mercy of God, merely because proper means are used, is not less reprehensible. Plan, scheme, and labor like Eliezer, and then, by earnest faith and prayer, commit the whole to the direction and blessing of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 24:10-28

Abraham's servant devoutly acknowledged God. We have leave to be particular in recommending our affairs to the care of Divine providence. He proposes a sign, not that he intended to proceed no further, if not gratified in it; but it is a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master; and that was a good prayer. She should be simple, industrious, humble, cheerful, serviceable, and hospitable…

Read the full comment on Genesis 24:10-28 →

Genesis 24:12 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.

וַיֹּאמַ֓ר\׀vai.yo.Marand he saidH559
יְהוָ֗הYah.wehO YahwehH3068
אֱלֹהֵי֙'e.lo.Hei[the] God ofH430
אֲדֹנִ֣י'a.do.Nimaster myH113
אַבְרָהָ֔ם'av.ra.HamAbrahamH85
הַקְרֵה\־hak.reh-make happenH7136
נָ֥אna'pleaseH4994
לְפָנַ֖יle.fa.Nai<to> before meH6440
הַיּ֑וֹםhai.Yomthis dayH3117
וַעֲשֵׂה\־va.'a.seh-and doH6213
חֶ֕סֶדChe.sedcovenant loyaltyH2617
עִ֖ם'imwithH5973
אֲדֹנִ֥י'a.do.Nimaster myH113
אַבְרָהָֽם\׃'av.ra.HamAbrahamH85

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

Cross references for Genesis 24:12

  • Genesis 24:27

    And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

  • Exodus 3:6

    Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

  • Genesis 26:24

    And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

  • Psalms 122:6

    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

  • Genesis 24:42

    And I came this day unto the well, and said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

  • 2 Kings 2:14

    And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

  • Genesis 24:48

    And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son.

  • Exodus 3:15

    And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

  • Genesis 27:20

    And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.

  • Genesis 32:9

    And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

  • Genesis 43:14

    And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

  • Psalms 37:5

    Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
O Lord.
27; 15:1; 17:7,8; 26:24; 28:13; 31:42; 32:9; Ex 3:6,15; 1Ki 18:36
2Ki 2:14; Mt 22:32
I pray.
27:10; 43:14; Ne 1:11; 2:4; Ps 37:5; 90:16,17; 118:25; 122:6; 127:1
Pr 3:6; Php 4:6; 1Th 3:10,11

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

Context

  • Genesis 24:11

    And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.

  • Genesis 24:12

    And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

  • Genesis 24:13

    Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

Read all of Genesis 24

Genesis 24:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y dijo: Jehová, Dios de mi señor Abraham, dame, te ruego, el tener hoy buen encuentro, y haz misericordia con mi señor Abraham.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et il dit: Éternel, Dieu de mon seigneur Abraham, fais-moi faire, je te prie, une heureuse rencontre aujourd’hui, et use de grâce envers mon seigneur Abraham.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und er sprach: Jehova, Gott meines Herrn Abraham, laß es mir doch heute begegnen, und erweise Güte an meinem Herrn Abraham!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Domine Deus domini mei Abraham, occurre, obsecro, mihi hodie, et fac misericordiam cum domino meo Abraham.