Genesis 24:12-14

24:12 He prayed, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, guide me today. 1  Be faithful 2  to my master Abraham. 24:13 Here I am, standing by the spring, 3  and the daughters of the people 4  who live in the town are coming out to draw water. 24:14 I will say to a young woman, ‘Please lower your jar so I may drink.’ May the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac reply, ‘Drink, and I’ll give your camels water too.’ 5  In this way I will know that you have been faithful to my master.” 6 

1 tn Heb “make it happen before me today.” Although a number of English translations understand this as a request for success in the task (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV) it is more likely that the servant is requesting an omen or sign from God (v. 14).

2 tn Heb “act in loyal love with” or “show kindness to.”

3 tn Heb “the spring of water.”

4 tn Heb “the men.”

5 sn I will also give your camels water. It would be an enormous test for a young woman to water ten camels. The idea is that such a woman would not only be industrious but hospitable and generous.

6 tn Heb “And let the young woman to whom I say, ‘Lower your jar that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink and I will also give your camels water,’ – her you have appointed for your servant, for Isaac, and by it I will know that you have acted in faithfulness with my master.”