King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:14 Mean?

Genesis 24:14 in the King James Version says “And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and s...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.”

Genesis 24:14 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

13

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

14

And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

15

And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

16

And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. very: Heb. good of countenance

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, tha... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Isaac's Marriage emerge from this passage?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְהָיָ֣ה1 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַֽנַּעֲרָ֗2 of 25

“And let it come to pass that the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וְאָֽמְרָ֣ה4 of 25

“and she shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙5 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַטִּי6 of 25

“Let down”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

נָ֤א7 of 25
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

כַדֵּךְ֙8 of 25

“thy pitcher”

H3537

properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes

שְׁתֵ֔ה9 of 25

“Drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְאָֽמְרָ֣ה10 of 25

“and she shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁתֵ֔ה11 of 25

“Drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְגַם12 of 25
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ13 of 25

“thy camels”

H1581

a camel

אַשְׁקֶ֑ה14 of 25

“and I will give”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֹתָ֤הּ15 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הֹכַ֙חְתָּ֙16 of 25

“also let the same be she that thou hast appointed”

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

לְעַבְדְּךָ֣17 of 25

“for thy servant”

H5650

a servant

לְיִצְחָ֔ק18 of 25

“Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּבָ֣הּ19 of 25
H0
אֵדַ֔ע20 of 25

“and thereby shall I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי21 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָשִׂ֥יתָ22 of 25

“that thou hast shewed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חֶ֖סֶד23 of 25

“kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

עִם24 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֲדֹנִֽי׃25 of 25

“unto my master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 24:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 24:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 6:37Judges 6:17Genesis 15:8Isaiah 7:112 Samuel 5:242 Kings 20:8-11

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