Then you will have fulfilled your obligation. But if you go to my relatives and they refuse to let her go with you, you will be free from my oath.’
Parallel translations
- WEB Then will you be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’
- KJV Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
- BSB And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
- NKJV You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
- NASB then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abraham released the servant from his oath if the relatives refused to give a bride.
Overview
The servant recalls Abraham's gracious condition: the oath would be discharged if the family declined. This shows Abraham left room for human freedom and divine providence rather than forcing the outcome. Faith here is patient, trusting God to provide without manipulation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Gen 24:8If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.”
- Deut 29:12that you may enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God, and into his oath, which Yahweh your God makes with you today;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 24:41 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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