King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:44 Mean?

Genesis 24:44 in the King James Version says “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 ap...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 24:44 · KJV

Context

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.

46

And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman w... 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 understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְאָֽמְרָ֤ה1 of 15

“And she say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַי֙2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גַּם3 of 15
H1571

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

אַתָּ֣ה4 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שְׁתֵ֔ה5 of 15

“to me Both drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְגַ֥ם6 of 15
H1571

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

לִגְמַלֶּ֖יךָ7 of 15

“for thy camels”

H1581

a camel

אֶשְׁאָ֑ב8 of 15

“thou and I will also draw”

H7579

to bale up water

הִ֣וא9 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה10 of 15

“let the same be the woman”

H802

a woman

אֲשֶׁר11 of 15
H834

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

הֹכִ֥יחַ12 of 15

“hath appointed out”

H3198

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

יְהוָ֖ה13 of 15

“whom the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְבֶן14 of 15

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲדֹנִֽי׃15 of 15

“for my master's”

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 24:44 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 24:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:14Isaiah 32:8Genesis 2:221 Timothy 2:101 Peter 3:8Proverbs 16:33

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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