King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:16 Mean?

Genesis 24:16 in the King James Version says “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 f...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 24:16 · KJV

Context

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

17

And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

18

And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went dow... 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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהַֽנַּעֲרָ֗1 of 13

“And the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

טֹבַ֤ת2 of 13

“fair”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

מַרְאֶה֙3 of 13

“to look upon”

H4758

a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),

מְאֹ֔ד4 of 13

“was very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

בְּתוּלָ֕ה5 of 13

“a virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

וְאִ֖ישׁ6 of 13

“neither had any man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לֹ֣א7 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדָעָ֑הּ8 of 13

“known”

H3045

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

וַתֵּ֣רֶד9 of 13

“her and she went down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הָעַ֔יְנָה10 of 13

“to the well”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַתְּמַלֵּ֥א11 of 13

“and filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

כַדָּ֖הּ12 of 13

“her pitcher”

H3537

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

וַתָּֽעַל׃13 of 13

“and came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

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 24:16 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 24:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 26:7Numbers 31:17-18Genesis 4:1Genesis 39:6Song of Solomon 5:2

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