Genesis 24:37

ESV My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,
NIV And my master made me swear an oath, and said, ‘You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live,
NASB My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live;
CSB My master put me under this oath: ‘You will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live
NLT And my master made me take an oath. He said, ‘Do not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.
KJV And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
NKJV Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;

What does Genesis 24:37 mean?

Abraham's servant has described the wealthy status of Abraham and his unmarried son Isaac, living in Canaan. Now he begins to describe the circumstances around his visit to Nahor, the town, and Nahor's extended family.

He starts by answering the obvious question: Why has Isaac not married a local girl? The servant's oath answers the question: Abraham forbids it. Isaac must not marry any of the women in Canaan. This was an issue of culture and spirituality for Abraham, not one of race. His concern was about mixing the godless approach of the Canaanites with that of his family. Later, this prohibition would become an official part of God's law for the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:1–4).

Rebekah's family will not likely understand Abraham's concern about Isaac marrying a Canaanite and losing his unique identity among the people there, but they will grasp the point that, for Isaac, the local women are not eligible.
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