Genesis 24:8
 Genesis 24:8 
New International Version (©2011)
If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there."

New Living Translation (©2007)
If she is unwilling to come back with you, then you are free from this oath of mine. But under no circumstances are you to take my son there."

English Standard Version (©2001)
But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
If the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are free from this oath to me, but don't let my son go back there."

International Standard Version (©2012)
If the woman isn't willing to follow you, then you'll be free from this oath to me. Just don't take my son back there!"

NET Bible (©2006)
But if the woman is not willing to come back with you, you will be free from this oath of mine. But you must not take my son back there!"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
If the woman doesn't want to come back with you, then you'll be free from this oath that you swear to me. But don't take my son back there."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And if the woman will not be willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son there again.

American King James Version
And if the woman will not be willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.

American Standard Version
And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath. Only thou shalt not bring my son thither again.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But if the woman will not follow thee, thou shalt not be bound by the oath; only bring not my son back thither again.

Darby Bible Translation
And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be quit of this my oath: only, bring not my son thither again.

English Revised Version
And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only thou shalt not bring my son thither again.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if the woman shall not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; only bring not my son thither again.

World English Bible
If the woman isn't willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath. Only you shall not bring my son there again."

Young's Literal Translation
and if the woman be not willing to come after thee, then thou hast been acquitted from this mine oath: only my son thou dost not cause to turn back thither.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

24:1-9 The effect of good example, good teaching, and the worship of God in a family, will generally appear in the piety, faithfulness, prudence, and affection of the servants. To live in such families, or to have such servants, both are blessings from God which should be highly valued, and thankfully acknowledged. But no concern in life is of greater importance to ourselves, to others, or to the church of God, than marriage. It therefore ought always to be undertaken with much care and prudence, especially with reference to the will of God, and with prayer for his direction and blessing. Where good parents are not consulted and regarded, the blessing of God cannot be expected. Parents, in disposing of their children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls, and their furtherance in the way to heaven. Observe the charge Abraham gave to a good servant, one whose conduct, faithfulness, and affection, to him and his family, he had long known. Observe also, that Abraham remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his birth, by the call of his grace; and therefore doubts not but He will prosper his care, not to bring his son thither again. God will cause that to end in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at his glory.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee,.... Or "but" if (m), which is said by Abraham, not as doubting she would be willing, of which he was satisfied, being persuaded that that God that had made him willing to leave his own country, and his father's house, would make her willing to do the like, and come and settle with his son in the land that God had given him; but this, and what follows, he said to make the mind of his servant easy, who had some doubt about it, or however was desirous of knowing how he must act should that be the case; and what it was he was to take an oath to do, and how far, and how far not, that would oblige him:

then thou shalt be clear from this my oath; which he enjoined his servant to take; the sense is, when he had done all he could to get the consent of the damsel, and her friends, to go with him and marry his master's son; and after all she could not be prevailed upon to come with him, then he was free from his oath, having done all that that obliged him to, and he not attempting to take one from any other quarter:

only bring not my son thither again; neither agree with the damsel and her parents, that he shall come to them, nor persuade him to comply with such terms.

(m) "sin autem", V. L.


Genesis 24:8 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


A Wife for Isaac
7The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spoke to me, and that swore to me, saying, To your seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife to my son from there. 8And if the woman will not be willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter. …

Genesis 24:6 "Make sure that you do not take my son back there," Abraham said.
Genesis 24:41 You will be released from my oath if, when you go to my clan, they refuse to give her to you--then you will be released from my oath.'
Joshua 2:17 Now the men had said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us