King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:55 Mean?

Genesis 24:55 in the King James Version says “And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go....” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. a few: or, a full year, or ten months”

Genesis 24:55 · KJV

Context

53

And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things. jewels: Heb. vessels

54

And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

55

And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. a few: or, a full year, or ten months

56

And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

57

And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; afte... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 11

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָחִ֙יהָ֙2 of 11

“And her brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאִמָּ֔הּ3 of 11

“and her mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

תֵּשֵׁ֨ב4 of 11

“abide”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הַנַּֽעֲרָ֥5 of 11

“Let the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

אִתָּ֛נוּ6 of 11
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יָמִ֖ים7 of 11

“with us a few days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

א֣וֹ8 of 11

“at the least”

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

עָשׂ֑וֹר9 of 11

“ten”

H6218

ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord

אַחַ֖ר10 of 11

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

תֵּלֵֽךְ׃11 of 11
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 24:55 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 24:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 4:3Leviticus 25:29Judges 14:8

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