Genesis 24:65

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 24:65 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. And she took her veil, and covered herself.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. And she took her veil, and covered herself.
Genesis 24:65 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
65And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. And she took her veil, and covered herself.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For she [had] said unto the servant, etc.] As soon as she saw a man walking towards them, who she thought with herself might be Isaac: what man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? for by the course he steered, she perceived that he was coming towards them, and so concluded it must be one of the family, and probably the person she was to be married to; for otherwise, had he not by his look and motion discovered that he knew the servant, and was coming towards them, she would have took no notice of him and the servant [had] said, it is my master: meaning not Abraham, but his son, who also was his master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself; both out of modesty, and as a…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“she took a veil, and covered herself--The veil is an essential part of female dress. In country places it is often thrown aside, but on the appearance of a stranger, it is drawn over the face, as to conceal all but the eyes. In a bride it was a token of her reverence and subjection to her husband.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification