And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

GENESIS 24:20KJV
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Genesis 24:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:20 mean?

Genesis 24:20 describes how Rebekah quickly poured water from her pitcher into the trough for the camels and then hurried back to the well to draw more water until all of Abraham’s servant’s camels had enough to drink. The verse highlights her energetic and generous response to the servant’s request for water.

In this scene, Abraham’s servant has arrived at a well, seeking a wife for Isaac, and Rebekah is the young woman he meets there. The verse emphasizes Rebekah’s willingness to help a stranger and her hard work, as she not only gives water to the servant but also draws enough for all his camels, which would have been a significant task.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:20

  • "hasted" (מַהֵר, maher): This word means to hurry or act quickly. The verse uses it to show Rebekah’s eagerness and promptness in serving, which stands out in the story.
  • "pitcher" (כַּד, kad): This refers to a large jar or container for carrying water. The detail shows that Rebekah was prepared for the task and capable of drawing and carrying a substantial amount of water.
  • "trough" (רְהָט, rehat): This is a container or channel where animals drink. Mentioning the trough makes it clear that Rebekah is not just giving a little water, but providing enough for the camels to drink comfortably.
  • "camels" (גָּמָל, gamal): Camels require a lot of water, so Rebekah’s effort was considerable. This detail highlights the extent of her kindness and effort.

Why Genesis 24:20 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that Rebekah’s help was minimal; she went above and beyond, showing both generosity and physical effort.
  • The focus on her quick and repeated actions underlines her character, which is important for understanding why she is chosen as Isaac’s wife.
  • This moment connects to the servant’s earlier prayer for a sign, showing that Rebekah’s actions directly fulfill what he was seeking, moving the story forward.

Where else these words appear

“trough” Hebrew H8268 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 30:38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

“emptied” Hebrew H6168 · used in 14 verses

  • Leviticus 20:18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
  • Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

“pitcher” Hebrew H3537 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Genesis 24:43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
  • Judges 7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

“draw” Hebrew H7579 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
  • Genesis 24:45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
  • 1 Samuel 7:6 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.