King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:18 Mean?

Genesis 24:18 in the King James Version says “And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 24:18 · KJV

Context

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.

19

And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.

20

And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him d... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וַתֹּ֖אמֶר1 of 9

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁתֵ֣ה2 of 9

“Drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

אֲדֹנִ֑י3 of 9

“my lord”

H113

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

וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר4 of 9

“and she hasted”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

וַתֹּ֧רֶד5 of 9

“and let 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

כַּדָּ֛הּ6 of 9

“her pitcher”

H3537

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

עַל7 of 9
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יָדָ֖הּ8 of 9

“upon her hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַתַּשְׁקֵֽהוּ׃9 of 9

“and gave him drink”

H8248

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

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 24:18 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 24:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 31:261 Peter 3:8Genesis 24:141 Peter 4:8-9

Test Your Knowledge

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