King James Version
What Does Genesis 24:19 Mean?
“And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.”
Genesis 24:19 · KJV
Context
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.
21
And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they ... 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).
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.
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
- How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
- What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
- How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 10 wordsכִּלּ֖וּ1 of 10
“And when she had done”
H3615to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
לְהַשְׁקֹת֑וֹ2 of 10
“giving him drink”
H8248to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
גַּ֤ם4 of 10
H1571properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
עַ֥ד7 of 10
H5704as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אִם8 of 10
H518used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כִּלּ֖וּ9 of 10
“And when she had done”
H3615to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
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 24:19 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 24:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge