And Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who was over all which he had, “Please set your hand under my thigh, and swear by the LORD, God of the heavens and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, which I dwell among. For unto my land and unto my country you will go and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:2–3.
Abraham instructs his steward to return to his homeland to find a wife for his son. He does not want Isaac to take a wife from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom he dwells. Although Genesis 24 does not name the servant, Genesis 15:2 identifies Eliezer of Damascus as the steward of Abraham’s household.
The servant expresses concern about whether a woman would be willing to leave her homeland and accompany him. He inquires if he should bring Isaac to her if she refuses to come (Genesis 24:5). Abraham warns the servant not to take Isaac back, emphasizing that God brought him out of his father’s land to the land promised to his descendants (Genesis 24:6–7). If the woman is unwilling to return, the servant is released from his oath (Genesis 24:8).
After swearing an oath to Abraham, the servant departs with ten camels to Mesopotamia, specifically to the city of Nahor (Genesis 24:10). At a well outside the city, he prays to the LORD, seeking kindness for Abraham’s sake (Genesis 24:11–12). The servant requests a sign: the woman chosen for Isaac will be the one who, when asked for a drink, also offers water to his camels (Genesis 24:13–14).
The LORD answered Abraham’s servant. Rebekah the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, not only gave him to drink, but drew water until all his camels had finished drinking (Genesis 24:15–21). Abraham’s servant marveled at such a sight, for the request was astonishing, yet here was a young woman willing to do exactly what he had asked the LORD of his master Abraham to do for him. Through this act, the LORD revealed to Abraham’s servant who he would take back to Isaac for a wife (Genesis 24:21).
After Rebekah provides water for all the camels, the servant presents her with a nose ring and two gold bracelets (Genesis 24:22). He inquires about her family and whether lodging is available. Rebekah identifies her father as Bethuel and offers accommodations for the servant and his camels (Genesis 24:23–25). The servant then bowed down to the earth and worshipped the LORD, for He had shown kindness to him by leading him to the house of his master’s brother (Genesis 24:26–27).
