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Genesis 24:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 24:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Genesis 24:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
17And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher.
18And she said, Drink, my lord. And she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
← Genesis 24:15Genesis 24:17 →
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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
“And the damsel [was] very fair to look upon, etc.] Of a good countenance and beautiful aspect: a virgin, neither had any man known her; not only was reckoned a virgin, but was really one, pure and incorrupt: and she went down to the well and filled her pitcher, and came up; by which it appears the well lay low, there was a descent unto it, and an ascent from it. Rebekah was very diligent and speedy in doing her work, she did not stay to look at strangers, or hold an idle conversation with other damsels that came thither on the same account; but, having filled her pitcher, was making the best of her way home.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification