King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:46 Mean?

Genesis 24:46 in the King James Version says “And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 24:46 · KJV

Context

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.

47

And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

48

And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy... 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. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר1 of 13

“And she made haste”

H4116

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

וַתּ֤וֹרֶד2 of 13

“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

כַּדָּהּ֙3 of 13

“her pitcher”

H3537

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

מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ4 of 13
H5921

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

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר5 of 13

“from her shoulder and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ6 of 13

“Drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְגַם7 of 13
H1571

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

הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים8 of 13

“the camels”

H1581

a camel

הִשְׁקָֽתָה׃9 of 13

“and I will give”

H8248

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

וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ10 of 13

“Drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְגַ֥ם11 of 13
H1571

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

הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים12 of 13

“the camels”

H1581

a camel

הִשְׁקָֽתָה׃13 of 13

“and I will give”

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 24:46 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 24:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:18-19

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