Genesis 24:47

Genesis 24:47, in plain English

After she gave him water, the servant asked her whose daughter she was—he needed to know if she was actually connected to Abraham's family.

Why it's here

The servant was testing whether this generous young woman had the right family connection. He needed confirmation that this wasn't a wonderful coincidence but actually God's answer. Knowing her family was essential.

Who's speaking

Abraham's servant

Where it sits in the story

This is when faith meets practical wisdom. The servant didn't just accept the sign; he verified it. He wanted to know for certain that God had actually directed him to the right family.

The scholarly reading

The servant then asked Rebekah to identify herself by asking whose daughter she was.

Language and setting

This question serves dual purposes: confirmation of lineage and verification that she belonged to Abraham's kinfolk. In patriarchal genealogies, such identification questions (appearing in Genesis 29:4-5 with Jacob and Rachel) were standard protocol. The servant's methodical verification shows he was neither credulous nor presumptuous—he sought confirmation before proceeding.

Voice

Abraham's servant, describing his investigative questioning

Significance

The inquiry represents human responsibility within providence—the servant doesn't passively accept his sign but verifies it through reasonable inquiry. This models the proper relationship between faith and discernment throughout Scripture.

45And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’

46She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

47Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’

48Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.

49Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

Read all of Genesis 24 — A servant, a prayer, a woman at a well. One of the Bible's most beautiful stories of providence unfolds in the smallest details.