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Genesis 24:13

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 24:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Genesis 24:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed, having all goodly things of his master`s in his hand. And he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11And he made the camels to kneel down without the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.
12And he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham.
13Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14And 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 showed kindness unto my master.
15And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham`s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her. And she went down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water, etc.] Wishing, hoping, and expecting that something would turn out that would direct and instruct what further to do, and that would lead on to the business he came about: and the daughters of the men of the city came out to draw water; which was the usual custom in those parts about that time. So Homer speaks f1315 of meeting a girl before the city udreuoush, drawing or fetching water. And this was a principal reason why Abraham’s servant stopped at the well, not only to refresh himself, his men, and his cattle, but in hopes he should meet with the damsel there he was come for; or at least should hear of her, or meet with some one or another that…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification