Genesis 24:41

ESV Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
NIV You will be released from my oath if, when you go to my clan, they refuse to give her to you—then you will be released from my oath.’
NASB then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’
CSB Then you will be free from my oath if you go to my family and they do not give her to you—you will be free from my oath.’
NLT Then you will have fulfilled your obligation. But if you go to my relatives and they refuse to let her go with you, you will be free from my oath.’
KJV Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
NKJV You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’

What does Genesis 24:41 mean?

Abraham's servant is describing to Rebekah and her family the reason for his journey to their home. Abraham has sent the servant back to his people to find a wife for his son Isaac (Genesis 24:3–4).

Perhaps to make clear that he, the servant, realizes a woman may not want to travel back to Canaan to marry a stranger, he has told them that he raised this possibility with Abraham. Abraham told him that an angel would go with him to bring success to the quest (Genesis 24:5–8).

Now, though, the servant makes clear to Rebekah, her father, and her brother, that he has fully fulfilled his oath to Abraham simply by coming to Abraham's family and making the attempt to find a willing wife for Isaac. His oath does not require that a woman return with him to Canaan. The servant is bound only to seek out the right woman—not to come back with a marriageable woman at all costs.
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