Genesis 24:33 Then food was set before him, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say." "Then tell us," Laban said.

◄ Genesis 24:33 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Then food was set before him, but he said, "I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say." "Then tell us," Laban said.

English Standard Version
Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”

New American Standard Bible
But when food was set before him to eat, he said, "I will not eat until I have told my business." And he said, "Speak on."

King James Bible
And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A meal was set before him, but he said, "I will not eat until I have said what I have to say." So Laban said, "Please speak.""

International Standard Version
But when they had prepared a meal and set it in front of him, he said, "I'm not eating until I've spoken." "Speak up!" Laban exclaimed.

American Standard Version
And there was set food before him to eat. But he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And bread was set before him. But he said: I will not eat, till I tell my message. He answered him: Speak.

Darby Bible Translation
And there was set meat before him to eat; but he said, I will not eat until I have made known my business. And he said, Speak on.

Young's Literal Translation
and setteth before him to eat; but he saith, 'I do not eat till I have spoken my word;' and he saith, 'Speak.'

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

24:29-53 The making up of the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah is told very particularly. We are to notice God's providence in the common events of human life, and in them to exercise prudence and other graces. Laban went to ask Abraham's servant in, but not till he saw the ear-ring, and bracelet upon his sister's hands. We know Laban's character, by his conduct afterwards, and may think that he would not have been so free to entertain him, if he had not hoped to be well rewarded for it. The servant was intent upon his business. Though he was come off a journey, and come to a good house, he would not eat till he had told his errand. The doing our work, and the fulfilling our trusts, either for God or man, should be preferred by us before our food: it was our Saviour's meat and drink, Joh 4:34. He tells them the charge his master had given him, with the reason of it. He relates what had happened at the well, to further the proposal, plainly showing the finger of God in it. Those events which to us seem the effect of choice, contrivance, or chance, are appointed out of God. This hinders not, but rather encourages the use of all proper means. They freely and cheerfully close with the proposal; and any matter is likely to be comfortable, when it proceeds from the Lord. Abraham's servant thankfully acknowledges the good success he had met with. He was a humble man, and humble men are not ashamed to own their situation in life, whatever it may be. All our temporal concerns are sweet if intermixed with godliness.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

32-49. the man came into the house, &c.—What a beautiful picture of piety, fidelity, and disinterestedness in a servant! He declined all attention to his own comforts till he had told his name and his errand.