Genesis 24:11 He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.

◄ Genesis 24:11 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.

English Standard Version
And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water.

New American Standard Bible
He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.

King James Bible
And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He made the camels kneel beside a well of water outside the town at evening. This was the time when the women went out to draw water."

International Standard Version
As evening approached, he had the camels kneel outside the town at the water well, right about the time when women customarily went out to draw water.

American Standard Version
And he made the camels to kneel down without the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had made the camels lie down without the town near a well of water in Evening, at the time when women were wont to come out to draw water, he said:

Darby Bible Translation
And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water, at the time of the evening, when the women came out to draw water.

Young's Literal Translation
and he causeth the camels to kneel at the outside of the city, at the well of water, at even-time, at the time of the coming out of the women who draw water.

Cross References

Genesis 24:42
And I came this day to the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go:

Genesis 29:2
And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, see, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was on the well's mouth.

Exodus 2:15
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelled in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Exodus 2:16
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

Judges 5:11
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.

1 Samuel 9:11
And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here?

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

24:10-28 Abraham's servant devoutly acknowledged God. We have leave to be particular in recommending our affairs to the care of Divine providence. He proposes a sign, not that he intended to proceed no further, if not gratified in it; but it is a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master; and that was a good prayer. She should be simple, industrious, humble, cheerful, serviceable, and hospitable. Whatever may be the fashion, common sense, as well as piety, tells us, these are the proper qualifications for a wife and mother; for one who is to be a companion to her husband, the manager of domestic concerns, and trusted to form the minds of children. When the steward came to seek a wife for his master, he did not go to places of amusement and sinful pleasure, and pray that he might meet one there, but to the well of water, expecting to find one there employed aright. He prayed that God would please to make his way in this matter plain and clear before him. Our times are in God's hand; not only events themselves, but the times of them. We must take heed of being over-bold in urging what God should do, lest the event should weaken our faith, rather than strengthen it. But God owned him by making his way clear. Rebekah, in all respects, answered the characters he sought for in the woman that was to be his master's wife. When she came to the well, she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted from it but by an opportunity of doing good. She did not curiously or confidently enter into discourse with him, but answered him modestly. Being satisfied that the Lord had heard his prayer, he gave the damsel some ornaments worn in eastern countries; asking at the same time respecting her kindred. On learning that she was of his master's relations, he bowed down his head and worshipped, blessing God. His words were addressed to the Lord, but being spoken in the hearing of Rebekah, she could perceive who he was, and whence he came.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Ge 24:10-67. The Journey.

10. the servant took ten camels, &c.—So great an equipage was to give the embassy an appearance worthy of the rank and wealth of Abraham; to carry provisions; to bear the marriage presents, which as usual would be distributed over several beasts; besides one or two spare camels in case of emergency.

went to Mesopotamia, &c.—A stranger in those regions, who wishes to obtain information, stations himself at one of the wells in the neighborhood of a town, and he is sure to learn all the news of the place from the women who frequent them every morning and evening. Eliezer followed this course, and letting his camels rest, he waited till the evening time of water drawing.