Genesis 24:3

A Wife for Isaac · Genesis 24:1–14
Read Genesis 24

Translations

Modern
…and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,
Traditional
And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Literal
…and I will make you swear by YHWH, the God of the heavens and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, among whom I am dwelling.
Latin
…ut adjurem te per Dominum Deum cæli et terræ, ut non accipias uxorem filio meo de filiabus Chananæorum, inter quos habito:

Original

Hebrew
English
…and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,

Notes

Isaac knew how wicked and threatening the local Canaanite people were, so he maintained separation from them (compare 26:34–35; 27:46; 28:8–9).

Trusting in the Lord's promise, Abraham had his main servant promise to find a wife for Isaac (probably Eliezer, 15:2). Abraham told his servant to return to his relatives in his homeland, 724 kilometers away (about 450 miles). Abraham was faithful to the covenant by planning for Isaac's future.

Isaac's marriage to Rebekah made it certain that God's plan would continue for the next generation. God showed his covenant faithfulness by working through his faithful people (24:12, 27, 49).

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Isaac Rebekah Symbolic Numbers

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants

Glossary

Aram-Naharaim Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Isaac Nahor (Person) Patriarchs, Period of the Rebecca, Rebekah

Topics

God: Sovereign Marriage: Isaac and Rebekah Marriage: Modes of Demanding Women In Marriage: The Jews: Careful in Contracting for Their Children Miscegenation: Forbidden by Abraham Oath: Abraham Requires Oath of his Servant Eliezer Oaths used for Binding to Performance of Any Particular Act Oaths: Antiquity of Parents: Their Duty to Their Children Is: Not to Make Unholy Connections for Them Servants: Good: Eliezer The Hands: Placed Under the Thigh of a Person to Whom an Oath Was Made Wives: Not to be Selected from Among the Ungodly Woman: Young: Could not Marry Without Consent of Parents Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents