Genesis 24:9
New International Version
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

New Living Translation
So the servant took an oath by putting his hand under the thigh of his master, Abraham. He swore to follow Abraham’s instructions.

English Standard Version
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

Berean Standard Bible
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

King James Bible
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

New King James Version
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

New American Standard Bible
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham, and swore to him concerning this matter.

NASB 1995
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

NASB 1977
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

Amplified Bible
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Christian Standard Bible
So the servant placed his hand under his master Abraham’s thigh and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the servant placed his hand under his master Abraham’s thigh and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

American Standard Version
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning this matter.

Contemporary English Version
So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do.

English Revised Version
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning this matter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the servant did as his master Abraham commanded and swore the oath to him concerning this.

Good News Translation
So the servant put his hand between the thighs of Abraham, his master, and made a vow to do what Abraham had asked.

International Standard Version
So the servant made a solemn oath to his master Abraham regarding this matter.

Majority Standard Bible
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

NET Bible
So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his solemn promise he would carry out his wishes.

New Heart English Bible
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his oath to him concerning this matter.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter.

World English Bible
The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the servant puts his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and swears to him concerning this matter.

Young's Literal Translation
And the servant putteth his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and sweareth to him concerning this matter.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the servant will put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and swear to him concerning this word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The servant therefore put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his lord, and swore to him upon this word.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham, his lord, and he swore to him on his word.

New American Bible
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore to him concerning this matter.

New Revised Standard Version
So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the servant put his hand under the girdle of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Servant laid his hand under the loins of Abraham, his lord, and he swore to him concerning this matter.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraam, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Wife for Isaac
8And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter. 10Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.…

Cross References
Genesis 47:29-31
When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, / but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.” / “Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

Genesis 50:5-6
my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.” / Pharaoh replied, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.” / And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. / Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. ...

Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Joshua 9:15-20
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. / Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. / So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. ...

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

1 Samuel 20:16-17
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” / And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 24:21-22
So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

1 Kings 2:42-43
the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, ‘On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die’? And you told me, ‘The sentence is fair; I will comply.’ / So why have you not kept your oath to the LORD and the command that I gave you?”

2 Kings 11:4
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

Nehemiah 5:12-13
“We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised. / I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.


Treasury of Scripture

And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter.

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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
The term "servant" here refers to Abraham's chief servant, traditionally understood to be Eliezer of Damascus (Genesis 15:2). In the Hebrew context, a servant of this stature was not merely a menial worker but a trusted steward, often managing the master's household and affairs. This highlights the deep trust and responsibility placed upon him by Abraham, reflecting a relationship built on loyalty and faithfulness.

placed his hand under the thigh
This phrase is a cultural idiom from the ancient Near East, signifying a solemn oath. The act of placing one's hand under the thigh is believed to be a gesture of submission and seriousness, possibly linked to the procreative power and lineage of the patriarch. It underscores the gravity of the promise being made, as it involves the continuation of Abraham's covenantal line through Isaac.

of his master Abraham
Abraham, the patriarch, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, known for his faith and obedience to God. The term "master" here denotes not only a position of authority but also a relationship of mutual respect and covenantal promise. Abraham's role as a master is intertwined with his identity as a servant of God, emphasizing the hierarchical yet relational nature of biblical leadership.

and swore an oath
Oaths in the biblical context were binding and sacred, often invoking God's name as a witness. The Hebrew word for "swore" (שָׁבַע, shava) is related to the word for "seven," indicating completeness and perfection. This oath is not merely a verbal agreement but a covenantal commitment, reflecting the seriousness with which promises were made and kept in biblical times.

to him concerning this matter
The "matter" refers to the task of finding a suitable wife for Isaac, Abraham's son, from his own kin. This task was of utmost importance, as it concerned the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding his descendants. The specificity of the task underscores the importance of obedience to God's will and the continuation of the covenant through the chosen lineage. This reflects the broader biblical theme of divine providence and human responsibility working in tandem.

Verse 9. - And the servant (understanding the nature of his mission, and feeling satisfied on the points that impinged upon his conscience) put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter - to be true to his master and his mission, and to the hope and promise of the covenant.

CHAPTER 24:10-28

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

placed
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

his hand
יָד֔וֹ (yā·ḏōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

under
תַּ֛חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

his master
אֲדֹנָ֑יו (’ă·ḏō·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

Abraham’s
אַבְרָהָ֖ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

thigh
יֶ֥רֶךְ (ye·reḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3409: Thigh,loin, flank, side

and swore an oath
וַיִּשָּׁ֣בַֽע (way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to him
ל֔וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

concerning
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

matter.
הַדָּבָ֖ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Law: Genesis 24:9 The servant put his hand under (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 24:8
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