Genesis 24:17
New International Version
The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

New Living Translation
Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.”

English Standard Version
Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.”

King James Bible
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.

New King James Version
And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.”

NASB 1995
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.”

NASB 1977
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.”

Amplified Bible
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your jar.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jug.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jug.”

American Standard Version
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher.

Contemporary English Version
Abraham's servant ran to her and said, "Please let me have a drink of water."

English Revised Version
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The servant ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a drink of water."

Good News Translation
The servant ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a drink of water from your jar."

International Standard Version
Then Abraham's servant ran to meet her and asked her, "Please, let me have a sip of water from your jug."

Majority Standard Bible
So the servant ran to meet her and said, ?Please let me have a little water from your jar.?

NET Bible
Abraham's servant ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a sip of water from your jug."

New Heart English Bible
Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, ?Please give me a little water to drink from your jug."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water from thy pitcher.

World English Bible
The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the servant runs to meet her and says, “Please let me swallow a little water from your pitcher”;

Young's Literal Translation
And the servant runneth to meet her, and saith, 'Let me swallow, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the servant will run to meet her, and he will say, Give me to drink now a little water from thy bucket.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Give me a little water to drink of thy pitcher.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the servant ran to meet her, and he said, “Provide me with a little water to drink from your pitcher.”

New American Bible
the servant ran toward her and said, “Please give me a sip of water from your jug.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me sip a little water from your jar.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the servant ran to meet her and said, Let me drink a little water from your pitcher.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Servant ran to meet her and he said to her, “Let me drink a little water from your cruse.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the servant ran to meet her, and said: 'Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the servant ran up to meet her, and said, Give me a little water to drink out of thy pitcher;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebekah is Chosen
16Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. 17So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.” 18“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink.…

Cross References
John 4:7-10
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) / “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) ...

1 Kings 17:10-11
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

Exodus 2:16-17
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. / And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

Ruth 2:9
Let your eyes be on the field they are harvesting, and follow along after these girls. Indeed, I have ordered the young men not to touch you. And when you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.”

John 4:13-14
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Judges 4:19
Sisera said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again.

Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,

Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

1 Samuel 9:11
And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?”

John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Numbers 20:17-19
Please let us pass through your land. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” / But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.” / “We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”

2 Kings 3:9
So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals.

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

Deuteronomy 10:19
So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.


Treasury of Scripture

And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray you, drink a little water of your pitcher.

Let.

1 Kings 17:10
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

John 4:7,9
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink…

water of.

Genesis 26:1-35
And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar…

Isaiah 21:14
The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.

Isaiah 30:25
And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

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Genesis 24
1. Abraham swears his servant.
10. The servant's journey.
12. His prayer.
14. His sign.
15. Rebekah meets him;
18. fulfils his sign;
22. receives jewels;
23. shows her kindred;
25. and invites him home.
26. The servant blesses God.
29. Laban entertains him.
34. The servant shows his message.
50. Laban and Bethuel approve it.
58. Rebekah consents to go, and departs.
62. Isaac meets and marries her.














So the servant ran
The phrase highlights the eagerness and urgency of Abraham's servant, Eliezer, in fulfilling his mission to find a wife for Isaac. The Hebrew word for "ran" (רָץ, rats) conveys a sense of haste and purpose. This action reflects the servant's dedication and faithfulness to his master, Abraham, and his commitment to the task at hand. It also underscores the importance of the mission, as finding a suitable wife for Isaac was crucial for the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham.

to meet her
The servant's approach to Rebekah is significant in the context of divine providence. The Hebrew word for "meet" (לִקְרָאתָהּ, liqrat) suggests an encounter that is orchestrated by God. This meeting is not a mere coincidence but a divinely appointed moment. It emphasizes the theme of God's guidance and intervention in the lives of His people, as He directs the servant to the right person at the right time.

and said
The act of speaking initiates a pivotal interaction. In the Hebrew culture, words hold power and significance. The servant's words are carefully chosen, reflecting his humility and respect. This moment of communication is the beginning of a relationship that will fulfill God's promise to Abraham. It also demonstrates the servant's reliance on God, as he seeks confirmation of God's will through this encounter.

Please let me have
The servant's request is polite and respectful, using the Hebrew word נָא (na), which is often translated as "please." This word conveys a sense of humility and deference. The servant's approach is not demanding but rather a humble petition, reflecting his character and the values of his master, Abraham. It serves as a model for how believers should approach others—with kindness and respect.

a little water to drink
Water, in the ancient Near Eastern context, is a precious and life-sustaining resource. The request for "a little water" (מְעַט מַיִם, me'at mayim) is modest, highlighting the servant's humility. Water also symbolizes life and blessing in the Bible, and this request sets the stage for Rebekah's demonstration of hospitality and generosity. Her response will reveal her character and suitability as a wife for Isaac.

from your jar
The mention of "your jar" (כַּדֵּךְ, kadekh) indicates the personal nature of the request. The jar is a common household item, yet it becomes a vessel of divine purpose in this narrative. The servant's request to drink from Rebekah's jar is a test of her willingness to serve and her kindness to strangers. It foreshadows the role she will play in the unfolding of God's plan for Abraham's descendants.

Verses 17-19. - And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher (a request which was at once complied with). And she said, Drink (and with the utmost politeness), my lord (and with cheerful animation): and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. "Rebekah's address to the servant will be given you in the exact idiom by the first gentle Rebekah you ask water from; but I have never found any young lady so generous as this fair daughter of Bethuel" ('Thomson, Land and Book,' p. 592). And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking - thus proving that the kindly disposition within her bosom was "not simply the reflex of national customs, but the invisible sun beaming through her mind, and freely bringing forward the blossoms of sterling goodness" (Kalisch).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the servant
הָעֶ֖בֶד (hā·‘e·ḇeḏ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

ran
וַיָּ֥רָץ (way·yā·rāṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7323: To run

to meet her
לִקְרָאתָ֑הּ (liq·rā·ṯāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

and said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please
נָ֛א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

let me have
הַגְמִיאִ֥ינִי (haḡ·mî·’î·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 1572: To swallow (liquids)

a little
מְעַט־ (mə·‘aṭ-)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

water
מַ֖יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

from your jar.”
מִכַּדֵּֽךְ׃ (mik·kad·dêḵ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3537: A pail, earthenware, a jar


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OT Law: Genesis 24:17 The servant ran to meet her (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 24:16
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