King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:43 Mean?

Genesis 24:43 in the King James Version says “Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;”

Genesis 24:43 · KJV

Prayer

Context

41

Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.

42

And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

43

Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

44

And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.

45

And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth t... 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 does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הִנֵּ֛ה1 of 17
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֥י2 of 17
H595

i

נִצָּ֖ב3 of 17

“Behold I stand”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

עַל4 of 17
H5921

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

עֵ֣ין5 of 17

“by the well”

H5869

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

מַ֖יִם6 of 17

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וְהָיָ֤ה7 of 17
H1961

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

הָֽעַלְמָה֙8 of 17

“and it shall come to pass that when the virgin”

H5959

a lass (as veiled or private)

הַיֹּצֵ֣את9 of 17

“cometh forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִשְׁאֹ֔ב10 of 17

“to draw”

H7579

to bale up water

וְאָֽמַרְתִּ֣י11 of 17

“water and I say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֔יהָ12 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַשְׁקִֽינִי13 of 17

“to drink”

H8248

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

נָ֥א14 of 17
H4994

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

מְעַט15 of 17

“I pray thee a little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מַ֖יִם16 of 17

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִכַּדֵּֽךְ׃17 of 17

“of thy pitcher”

H3537

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

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 24:43 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 24:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:13-14

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