Genesis 24:21 - The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.

Generated Verse: Genesis 24:21

What does "Genesis 24:21" mean?


This verse, Genesis 24:21, is part of the story of Abraham's servant being sent to find a wife for Isaac. Let's break down the meaning:

"The man looked steadfastly at her...": "The man" refers to Abraham's servant. "Steadfastly" means he was watching her intently and attentively. He wasn't just glancing; he was carefully observing her actions and demeanor.

"...remaining silent...": He wasn't asking questions or interfering. He was letting events unfold. This suggests patience and a reliance on a higher power.

"...to know whether Yahweh had made his journey prosperous or not.": This is the key. The servant had prayed for a sign from God (Yahweh) to indicate which young woman was meant to be Isaac's wife. Specifically, he prayed that the woman who not only offered him water but also offered to water his camels would be the chosen one (Genesis 24:12-14). He was now watching to see if God would answer his prayer through her actions. "Prosperous" means successful and blessed. In this context, it means that his mission to find the right wife was being guided by God and would be successful.

In essence, the verse means that Abraham's servant was carefully and silently observing Rebekah's actions to see if she would fulfill the sign he had asked of God, which would indicate whether God was guiding his mission and making it successful. He understood that God's hand was at work, and he was waiting for confirmation. He was not acting on his own initiative alone but seeking divine guidance.