Genesis 24:37
New International Version
And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,

New Living Translation
And my master made me take an oath. He said, ‘Do not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.

English Standard Version
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,

Berean Standard Bible
My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell,

King James Bible
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

New King James Version
Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;

New American Standard Bible
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;

NASB 1995
“My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;

NASB 1977
“And my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;

Legacy Standard Bible
And my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;

Amplified Bible
My master made me swear [an oath], saying, ‘You must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;

Christian Standard Bible
My master put me under this oath: ‘You will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My master put me under this oath: ‘You will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live

American Standard Version
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

Contemporary English Version
I solemnly promised my master that I would do what he said. And he told me, "Don't choose a wife for my son from the women in this land of Canaan.

English Revised Version
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
My master made me swear this oath: 'Don't get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I'm living.

Good News Translation
My master made me promise with a vow to obey his command. He said, 'Do not choose a wife for my son from the young women in the land of Canaan.

International Standard Version
My master made me swear this oath: 'You are not to select a wife for my son from among the daughters of the Canaanites in this land where I live.

Majority Standard Bible
My master made me swear an oath and said, ?You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell,

NET Bible
My master made me swear an oath. He said, 'You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living,

New Heart English Bible
Now my master put me under oath, saying, "You must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,

Webster's Bible Translation
And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

World English Bible
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And my lord causes me to swear, saying, You do not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, in whose land I am dwelling.

Young's Literal Translation
'And my lord causeth me to swear, saying, Thou dost not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, in whose land I am dwelling.

Smith's Literal Translation
And my lord will cause me to swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And my master made me swear, saying: Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the Chanaanites, in whose land I dwell:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And my lord made me swear, saying: ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell.

New American Bible
My master put me under oath, saying: ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live;

New Revised Standard Version
My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And my master made me swear, saying, You must not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And my Lord made me swear and said to me, “Do not take a woman for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And my master made me swear, saying: Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And my master caused me to swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Chananites, among whom I sojourn in their land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebekah is Chosen
36My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns. 37My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, 38but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’…

Cross References
Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 15:7
The LORD also told him, “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”

Genesis 17:7-8
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. / And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 28:1-4
So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded. / “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. / May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. ...

Genesis 50:24
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Exodus 3:6-8
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. / The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

Exodus 6:7-8
I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. / And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’”

Deuteronomy 7:1-3
When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. / Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,

Joshua 24:3
But I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates and led him through all the land of Canaan, and I multiplied his descendants. I gave him Isaac,

Nehemiah 9:7-8
You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. / You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.

Psalm 105:8-11
He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...

Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.

Acts 7:2-5
And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living. ...

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And my master made me swear, saying, You shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

And my.

Genesis 24:2-9
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: …

Genesis 6:2
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Genesis 27:46
And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

Canaanites.

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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.














My master made me swear an oath
In ancient Near Eastern culture, oaths were solemn and binding, often involving a physical gesture such as placing a hand under the thigh, symbolizing a deep commitment. This reflects the seriousness with which Abraham viewed the task of finding a suitable wife for Isaac, emphasizing the importance of family lineage and covenant promises. Oaths were considered sacred and breaking them was seen as a grave offense.

and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son
Abraham's directive underscores the importance of maintaining the purity of the covenant line. Marriages were not just personal unions but strategic alliances that could affect the spiritual and cultural direction of a family. This reflects the broader biblical theme of separation from ungodly influences, as seen in later instructions to Israel regarding intermarriage with surrounding nations.

from the daughters of the Canaanites
The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices, which were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh. Abraham's insistence on avoiding a Canaanite wife for Isaac highlights the need to preserve the worship of the one true God and avoid syncretism. This concern is echoed in later biblical narratives, such as the warnings given to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 7:3-4.

in whose land I dwell
Abraham's status as a sojourner in Canaan is significant. Though he lived among the Canaanites, he did not fully integrate into their culture or religious practices. This reflects the biblical theme of being in the world but not of it, a principle that is later articulated in the New Testament (John 17:14-16). Abraham's life in Canaan was a testament to his faith in God's promises, as he awaited the fulfillment of the land covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abraham
The patriarch who is seeking a wife for his son Isaac, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the covenant lineage.

2. Isaac
Abraham's son, for whom a wife is being sought to continue the covenant promise.

3. The Servant
Likely Eliezer, Abraham's trusted servant, tasked with finding a suitable wife for Isaac.

4. Canaanites
The inhabitants of the land where Abraham dwells, representing a culture and religious practices that are contrary to Abraham's faith.

5. The Oath
A solemn promise made by the servant to Abraham, highlighting the seriousness of the task.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness to God's Covenant
Abraham's insistence on finding a wife for Isaac from his own people reflects a commitment to God's covenant promises. Believers today are called to be faithful to God's Word and His promises.

The Importance of Godly Relationships
The directive to avoid marrying a Canaanite highlights the importance of choosing relationships that honor God and support spiritual growth. Christians are encouraged to seek relationships that align with their faith.

The Role of Obedience and Trust
The servant's willingness to swear an oath and undertake the journey demonstrates obedience and trust in God's guidance. Believers are reminded to trust God in their decisions and actions.

Cultural Distinctiveness
Abraham's concern about the Canaanites serves as a reminder of the need for cultural and spiritual distinctiveness. Christians are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining their identity in Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
My master
אֲדֹנִ֖י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

made me swear an oath
וַיַּשְׁבִּעֵ֥נִי (way·yaš·bi·‘ê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

and said,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘You shall not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

take
תִקַּ֤ח (ṯiq·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a wife
אִשָּׁה֙ (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

for my son
לִבְנִ֔י (liḇ·nî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

from the daughters
מִבְּנוֹת֙ (mib·bə·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of the Canaanites
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י (hak·kə·na·‘ă·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan

in whose land
בְּאַרְצֽוֹ׃ (bə·’ar·ṣōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

I
אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

dwell,
יֹשֵׁ֥ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


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OT Law: Genesis 24:37 My master made me swear saying 'You (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 24:36
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