Genesis 24:46
New International Version
“She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

New Living Translation
She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ So I drank, and then she watered the camels.

English Standard Version
She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also.

Berean Standard Bible
She 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also.

New American Standard Bible
She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.

NASB 1995
“She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’ so I drank, and she watered the camels also.

NASB 1977
“And she quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then she hurried and lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give water to your camels to drink’; so I drank, and she also gave water to the camels to drink.

Amplified Bible
And she quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels’; so I drank, and she also watered the camels.

Christian Standard Bible
She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

American Standard 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.

Contemporary English Version
She quickly lowered the jar from her shoulder and said, "Have a drink. Then I'll get water for your camels." So I drank, and after that she got some water for my camels.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She quickly lowered her jar and said, 'Have a drink, and I'll water your camels too.' So I drank, and she also watered the camels.

Good News Translation
She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels.' So I drank, and she watered the camels.

International Standard Version
She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and told me, 'Have a drink while I also water your camels.' So I drank, and she also gave my camels water to drink.

NET Bible
She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I'll give your camels water too.' So I drank, and she also gave the camels water.

New Heart English Bible
And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels water.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
She 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.

World English Bible
She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and she hurries and lets down her pitcher from off her and says, Drink, and I also water your camels; and I drink, and she has also watered the camels.

Young's Literal Translation
and she hasteth and letteth down her pitcher from off her and saith, Drink, and thy camels also I water; and I drink, and the camels also she hath watered.

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will hasten and will bring down her bucket from her, and will say, Drink, and I will water thy camels also: and I shall drink, and she watered the camels also.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she speedily let down the pitcher from her shoulder, and said to me: Both drink thou, and to thy camels I will give drink. I drank, and she watered the camels.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she quickly let down the pitcher from her arm, and said to me, ‘You drink, and to your camels I will also distribute drinking water.’ I drank, and she watered the camels.

New American Bible
She quickly lowered the jug she was carrying and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels, too.’ So I drank, and she watered the camels also.

New Revised Standard Version
She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And she hastened, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will water your camels also; so I drank, and she watered my camels also.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And she hurried and let down her cruse from her and she said to me, “Drink, also I shall water your camels”, and I drank; she gave drink also to the camels.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she hasted and let down her pitcher on her arm from her head, and said, Drink thou, and I will give thy camels drink; and I drank, and she gave the camels drink.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebekah is Chosen
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?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.…

Cross References
Genesis 24:18-20
“Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. / After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.” / And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels.

Genesis 29:10
As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, with Laban’s sheep, he went up and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.

Exodus 2:16-17
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. / And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

John 4:7-10
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” / (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) / “You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) ...

John 4:13-14
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Ruth 2:9
Let your eyes be on the field they are harvesting, and follow along after these girls. Indeed, I have ordered the young men not to touch you. And when you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.”

1 Samuel 9:11-13
And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?” / “Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place. / As soon as you enter the city, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests will eat. Go up at once; you will find him.”

1 Kings 17:10-11
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,

Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Mark 9:41
Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Timothy 5:10
and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.


Treasury of Scripture

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

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Arm Camels Drank Drink Haste Hasted Hasteth Hurried I'll Jar Lowered Pitcher Quickly Shoulder Straight Vessel Water Watered
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Arm Camels Drank Drink Haste Hasted Hasteth Hurried I'll Jar Lowered Pitcher Quickly Shoulder Straight Vessel Water Watered
Genesis 24
1. Abraham swears his servant.
10. The servant's journey.
12. His prayer.
14. His sign.
15. Rebekah meets him;
18. fulfils his sign;
22. receives jewels;
23. shows her kindred;
25. and invites him home.
26. The servant blesses God.
29. Laban entertains him.
34. The servant shows his message.
50. Laban and Bethuel approve it.
58. Rebekah consents to go, and departs.
62. Isaac meets and marries her.














She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder
This action demonstrates Rebekah's willingness and eagerness to serve, reflecting a hospitable and generous spirit. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, hospitality was a highly valued virtue. The act of lowering the jar quickly indicates her readiness to help a stranger, which aligns with the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:34). This gesture also foreshadows her suitability as a wife for Isaac, as it fulfills the servant's prayer for a sign of kindness and diligence (Genesis 24:14).

and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’
Rebekah's offer to water the camels goes beyond the initial request for a drink, showcasing her generosity and industrious nature. Camels can drink a significant amount of water, and watering ten camels would have been a labor-intensive task. This reflects her willingness to go the extra mile, a trait that is commended in the New Testament (Matthew 5:41). Her actions can be seen as a type of Christ, who offers living water to all who are thirsty (John 4:10).

So I drank,
The servant's acceptance of Rebekah's offer signifies the fulfillment of his prayer and the divine guidance in finding a wife for Isaac. This moment underscores the theme of God's providence and faithfulness in the lives of the patriarchs. It also highlights the importance of discernment and trust in God's plan, as the servant had prayed specifically for this sign (Genesis 24:12-14).

and she also watered the camels.
Rebekah's follow-through on her promise to water the camels demonstrates her integrity and commitment. This act of service is significant in the narrative, as it confirms her as the chosen bride for Isaac, aligning with God's covenantal promises to Abraham. The watering of the camels can be seen as a symbol of abundance and blessing, reminiscent of God's provision for His people (Psalm 23:5). Rebekah's actions prefigure the servanthood of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rebekah
A young woman from the family of Abraham's brother Nahor, who demonstrates hospitality and kindness by offering water to Abraham's servant and his camels.

2. Abraham's Servant
Likely Eliezer, tasked with finding a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son, from his relatives in Mesopotamia.

3. The Well
A common gathering place in ancient times, where Rebekah meets Abraham's servant. It symbolizes provision and divine encounters.

4. Camels
Represent wealth and the servant's long journey, highlighting Rebekah's generosity and willingness to serve beyond what was asked.

5. Nahor's City
The location where Abraham's servant finds Rebekah, fulfilling Abraham's desire for a wife for Isaac from his own kin.
Teaching Points
Hospitality and Service
Rebekah's actions exemplify true hospitality and service, going beyond what is expected. Christians are called to serve others selflessly.

Divine Guidance
The account illustrates how God guides His people through prayer and providence. Trust in God's leading in life's decisions.

Character and Virtue
Rebekah's willingness to serve reflects her character. Believers should cultivate virtues like kindness, generosity, and diligence.

Faith in Action
Rebekah's immediate response to the servant's need shows faith in action. Christians should be ready to act on their faith in practical ways.

God's Faithfulness
The fulfillment of the servant's prayer demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises. Trust in God's faithfulness in your own life.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 24:46?

2. How does Genesis 24:46 demonstrate Rebekah's willingness to serve others?

3. What can we learn about hospitality from Rebekah's actions in Genesis 24:46?

4. How does Rebekah's response reflect Proverbs 31:20 about helping those in need?

5. In what ways can we emulate Rebekah's kindness in our daily lives?

6. How does Genesis 24:46 illustrate God's provision through the actions of others?

7. How does Genesis 24:46 demonstrate God's providence in human relationships?

8. What cultural practices are reflected in Genesis 24:46?

9. How does Genesis 24:46 illustrate the theme of hospitality?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 24?

11. Who is Rebekah in the Bible?

12. How realistic is it for Rebekah to singlehandedly draw enough water for ten camels (Genesis 24:14-20), given the demands of daily chores?

13. Why is a sign-based approach (Genesis 24:14) seemingly approved here, when similar methods are discouraged in other biblical passages?

14. How historically plausible is it that Abraham's servant traveled such a long distance (Genesis 24:10) with little mention of logistical challenges or hardships?
What Does Genesis 24:46 Mean
She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder

Rebekah’s immediate response shows both eagerness and humility. Scripture records this event exactly as it happened, revealing the young woman’s character in real time. Her prompt movement echoes Abraham’s own quick obedience in Genesis 18:6-7 and illustrates the virtue praised in Proverbs 31:17: “She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.” Hospitality in the ancient Near East was not optional; it was a tangible expression of righteousness (Job 31:32). Rebekah’s swift action therefore points to a heart already trained to serve—something God values in every generation (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9).


and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’

Her words add generosity to her gestures. Offering a stranger a sip is kind; volunteering to water ten camels (Genesis 24:10) is sacrificial. Each camel could drink many gallons, so Rebekah was volunteering for hours of labor. This mirrors Jesus’ teaching about going the second mile (Matthew 5:41) and aligns with Hebrews 13:2, which reminds believers to show hospitality because some have entertained angels unaware. Rebekah’s initiative fulfills Abraham’s servant’s prayer request (Genesis 24:14), demonstrating God’s immediate, literal answer (Isaiah 65:24).


So I drank

The servant’s acceptance validates Rebekah’s offer and underscores the importance of receiving graciously as well as giving (John 4:10). By drinking, he confirms the sign he requested, reinforcing that God is at work in the everyday details (James 1:17). The narrative encourages believers to recognize divine appointments when they come and to respond in simple faith, just as the servant did.


and she also watered the camels.

Rebekah completes what she promised—no half-measures. Her perseverance resembles Ruth’s faithful gleaning (Ruth 2:17-18) and foreshadows the diligence commended in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being.” The camels’ quenched thirst becomes visible proof that the Lord has identified the chosen bride for Isaac, ensuring the covenant line continues (Genesis 24:27; 24:48). God’s providence and human obedience mesh perfectly, illustrating Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”


summary

Every phrase in Genesis 24:46 spotlights God’s faithful orchestration and Rebekah’s willing, wholehearted service. The verse teaches that:

• Genuine faith moves quickly to meet needs.

• True hospitality sacrifices comfort for others’ good.

• God answers specific prayers with precise, observable fulfillment.

• Obedience and providence operate together to advance His redemptive plan.

Believers today are called to the same ready, generous, follow-through kind of service, confident that the God who guided Rebekah’s steps still directs each detail of His people’s lives.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She quickly
וַתְּמַהֵ֗ר (wat·tə·ma·hêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly

lowered
וַתּ֤וֹרֶד (wat·tō·w·reḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

her jar
כַּדָּהּ֙ (kad·dāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3537: A pail, earthenware, a jar

from her [shoulder]
מֵֽעָלֶ֔יהָ (mê·‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition-m | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and said,
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Drink,
שְׁתֵ֔ה (šə·ṯêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

and I will water
אַשְׁקֶ֑ה (’aš·qeh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

your camels
גְּמַלֶּ֖יךָ (gə·mal·le·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1581: A camel

as well.’
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

So I drank,
וָאֵ֕שְׁתְּ (wā·’ê·šət)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

and she also
וְגַ֥ם (wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

watered
הִשְׁקָֽתָה׃ (hiš·qā·ṯāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8248: To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to

the camels.
הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים (hag·gə·mal·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1581: A camel


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OT Law: Genesis 24:46 She hurried and let down her pitcher (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 24:45
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