Genesis 24:46

Authorized King James Version

And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר
And she made haste
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
#2
וַתּ֤וֹרֶד
and let down
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
#3
כַּדָּהּ֙
her pitcher
properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes
#4
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר
from her shoulder and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ
Drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#7
וְגַם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#8
הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים
the camels
a camel
#9
הִשְׁקָֽתָה׃
and I will give
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
#10
וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ
Drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#11
וְגַ֥ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#12
הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים
the camels
a camel
#13
הִשְׁקָֽתָה׃
and I will give
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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