And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

GENESIS 24:56KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 24:56 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:56 mean?

Genesis 24:56 shows Abraham’s servant asking Rebekah’s family not to delay him, since he believes God has made his journey successful and wants to return quickly to his master, Abraham. The servant’s words highlight his sense of urgency and his trust that the LORD’s guidance means he should not be held back.

In this scene, Abraham’s servant is speaking to Rebekah’s family after they have agreed she can marry Isaac. The servant has completed his mission—finding a wife for Isaac—and now urges the family to let him leave promptly. The verse emphasizes the servant’s belief that the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) has prospered (הִצְלִיחַ, hitsliakh) his way, so any delay would go against what he sees as God’s clear direction.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:56

  • LORD (יהוה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, used here to show that the servant attributes his success directly to God’s involvement, not just luck or effort.
  • prospered (הִצְלִיחַ, hitsliakh): This word means to make successful or to cause to thrive. The servant is saying that God has actively made his journey successful, which is why he feels urgency to complete his task.
  • way (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): This word often means “road” or “journey.” Here, it refers to the servant’s whole mission, not just the physical travel, but the purpose and outcome of his trip.
  • master (אֲדֹנִי, adoni): The servant refers to Abraham as his master, highlighting his loyalty and the fact that he is acting on Abraham’s behalf, not his own.

Why Genesis 24:56 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the servant’s urgency is not just personal impatience, but a response to what he sees as God’s clear blessing and direction.
  • The verse connects the servant’s actions to the larger theme of God’s providence in Genesis 24, showing that human decisions are shaped by trust in God’s guidance.
  • It helps the reader see the servant’s loyalty to Abraham and his commitment to fulfilling his mission exactly as instructed, without unnecessary delay.

Where else these words appear

“me” Hebrew H309 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 32:4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
  • Judges 5:28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
  • Proverbs 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

“prospered” Hebrew H6743 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
  • Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.