dos4:2. “Put, I pray thee, thy hands significantly less than my thigh.” “The fresh ancients place its hands into the an excellent symbolic target when they produced oaths, just as we elevator or put all of our practical a great Bible.” Here new thigh most likely depicted the male body organ, exactly as little ones is described elsewhere in Hebrew since the being released of their dad’s leg. (Get a hold of Genesis ; Exodus step one:5. ”) Jewish traditions sees that it play the role of symbolizing the newest oath’s significance so you’re able to Abraham’s posterity “as circumcision was the first principle made available to Abraham and you can appeared to him only through much aches.”
Eliezer’s thoughts are small and involved in the exercise regarding their stewardship; within this, as in almost every other events, they are the fresh new make of good steward
Remember that this new Joseph Smith Interpretation altered which to learn, “Supply We pray thee thy hands not as much as my hands.” not, no transform is created in the same verse in Genesis . Packard and Packard suggested, “Even the tip try having Abraham to hold Eliezer’s hands significantly less than his give and you can facing his leg.”
24:step three. “thou shalt not simply take a spouse unto my man of your girl of the Canaanites.” “Intermarriage to the Canaanites, a dangerous issues to help you Abraham’s title and you will future is exactly forbidden in the Deuteronomy eight:1–cuatro.” According to Meir Zlotowitz, “it wasn’t a point of racial ‘purity’” but alternatively out-of keeping spiritual orthodoxy. Note that “this new prohibition was expanded with other communities during the Ezra chapters 9–ten.” Away from main concern are the brand new widespread practice of idolatry.
And, the guy will not to able to keep they 
should your lady wouldn’t follow him
Inside esteem, Abraham’s prolonged members of the family is appear to a reduced amount of a spiritual exposure than just the fresh new Canaanites. Packard recommended, “Maybe their kin have been a knowledgeable offered individuals who Abraham knew. Whilst it appears that these were idolatrous (Genesis ), which was is probably the reasoning god need Abraham in order to get-off him or her to start with, however chances are they’d specific knowledge of the new Lord and commitment to him (look for Genesis ). Marrying 2nd-of-kin was not crucial, but not. Joseph hitched ‘Asenath brand new child out-of Potipherah priest regarding On‘ (Genesis ), and their kid Ephraim gotten the fresh new birthright true blessing.”
24:6. “Beware thou one thou offer maybe not my guy thither once more.” The dangers out of Isaac himself back to Canaan and intermarrying having your regional anyone did actually was basically leading into the Abraham’s mind, hence the strictness ones injunctions to the steward. From inside the reading such injunctions, the latest steward is actually in addition careful. Packard and you will Packard listed,
He is together with thorough-he doesn’t want when planning on taking an oath he may not be capable keep. Abraham are responsive to Eliezer’s unspoken wish to not to generate a keen oath the guy are unable to remain, plus verse 8 says this new issues that often free Eliezer on the oath.
24:7. “The lord Jesus off heaven . . . should upload their angel prior to thee.” Once more, Abraham presented his trust that God’s intends to your was indeed sure. Robert Alter noted that even when Abraham clearly said this new covenantal guarantees Goodness provided him, “after regarding the tale, if the servant gives the household members a seemingly verbatim statement regarding this initially discussion with his learn, he discreetly edits out which covenantal vocabulary,” that may possess otherwise offended his machines.
Observe that as with most chiasms, initial terminology is placed in the center of Abraham’s speech: “Need a spouse from thence.” Nahum Sarna listed the Hebrew verb comparable to “take” (definition “to grab, enjoys, ‘s community. “These terms establish the wedding establishment regarding position of bridegroom. The fresh story as well as shows this new custom of one’s parent starting the fresh new matrimony exchange.”