And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

GENESIS 24:12KJV
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Genesis 24:12 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:12 mean?

Genesis 24:12 records a servant of Abraham praying to the LORD, asking for success in his task and for God to show kindness to Abraham. The servant is seeking God's help to fulfill his responsibility, which is to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son.

The speaker in this verse is Abraham's servant, likely Eliezer, who has traveled to find a suitable wife for Isaac. He prays directly to "the LORD God of my master Abraham," showing respect for Abraham's relationship with God and expressing his dependence on God's guidance. The servant's request for "good speed" means he is asking for success and favorable circumstances, and his mention of "kindness" refers to God's loyal love or faithfulness toward Abraham.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:12

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a covenant relationship. The servant appeals to the same God who has guided Abraham.
  • kindness (חֶסֶד, chesed): This word often means steadfast love, loyalty, or mercy. The servant is not just asking for a favor, but for God to continue showing faithful love to Abraham.
  • speed (קָרָא, qarā’): The phrase "send me good speed" uses a word that can mean "to happen" or "to meet." The servant is asking for his journey to go well, for events to fall into place as needed.

Why Genesis 24:12 matters

  • This verse shows the servant's humility and dependence on God, not just his own abilities or plans, which sets the tone for the rest of the story.
  • The servant's prayer highlights the importance of God's ongoing kindness (chesed) to Abraham, a theme that runs throughout Genesis.
  • By addressing God as the God of Abraham, the verse connects the servant's mission to God's promises to Abraham, showing that this search for a wife for Isaac is part of a larger story of faith and covenant.

Where else these words appear

“unto” Hebrew H5973 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Exodus 22:14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
  • 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

“speed” Hebrew H7136 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 27:20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.
  • Numbers 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
  • Nehemiah 3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.