Genesis 24:17 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:17 mean?

Genesis 24:17 describes how Abraham’s servant quickly approached Rebekah and politely asked her for a small drink of water from her pitcher. The verse shows the servant’s eagerness and respectful manner as he seeks help from a stranger during his journey.

In this scene, Abraham’s servant is on a mission to find a wife for Isaac and has just seen Rebekah at the well. He runs to meet her, showing urgency and hopefulness, and addresses her with courtesy, asking for just a little water. This moment sets up the test he had prayed about earlier, to see if she would respond with kindness and generosity.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:17

• The word for "servant" is עֶבֶד (ʿeved), which often refers to someone acting on behalf of another, highlighting the servant’s loyalty and sense of duty to Abraham.
• "Ran" is רָץ (rats), emphasizing the servant’s eagerness and sense of purpose in approaching Rebekah, rather than waiting passively.
• "Drink" is גָּמָא (gama’), which means to swallow or drink, and here it shows the servant’s humble request for a basic need, not demanding or taking, but asking.
• "Little" is מְעַט (me‘at), meaning a small amount, which underlines the servant’s humility—he is not asking for much, just enough to quench his thirst.

Why Genesis 24:17 matters

• This verse highlights the servant’s respectful approach and humility, which contrasts with any sense of entitlement and sets a tone for the encounter.
• The servant’s actions fulfill the plan he made with God earlier in the chapter, connecting his prayer directly to what unfolds next.
• The details about running and asking for a little water help readers see the servant’s character and the cultural importance of hospitality in the story’s setting.