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Genesis 24:49
ESV Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”
NIV Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.'
NASB So now if you are going to deal kindly and truthfully with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me now, so that I may turn to the right or the left.'
CSB Now, if you are going to show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; if not, tell me, and I will go elsewhere."
NLT So tell me — will you or won’t you show unfailing love and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.'
KJV And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

What does Genesis 24:49 mean?

Abraham's servant finally reaches the end of his story. He has made his case for why they should agree to allow Rebekah to return with him to Canaan and marry Abraham's son Isaac. First, Abraham and, by extension, Isaac, are blessed by God and extremely wealthy. Second, the Lord had shown the servant that Rebekah was the girl appointed to marry Isaac by meeting the servant's test exactly. Finally, the Lord had guided the servant straight to Abraham's immediate family. Clearly, this is meant to be.

So the servant asks the question, perhaps with a bit of manipulation: Are you going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master? He uses the same language he has used to describe how God has treated Abraham. Will Abraham's family members also treat him with kindness and good faith? If not, they should tell him so that he can take his search elsewhere.

Their positive response in the next verse may have been hasty, as the following verses will show. It would have been difficult to say no to the servant's question after hearing his remarkable story, but perhaps Laban and his father were not yet fully ready to let her go.
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