The Meaning of Genesis 24:12 Explained

Genesis 24:12

KJV: And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

YLT: And he saith, 'Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, cause to meet, I pray Thee, before me this day -- (and do kindness with my lord Abraham;

Darby: And he said, Jehovah, God of my master Abraham, meet me, I pray thee, with thy blessing this day, and deal kindly with my master Abraham.

ASV: And he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he said,  O LORD  God  of my master  Abraham,  I pray thee, send me  good speed  this day,  and shew  kindness  unto  my master  Abraham. 

What does Genesis 24:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 24:10-27 - Rebekah Meets Abraham's Servant
As we enter upon a new day, or a fresh undertaking, it is always wise and right to ask for good-speed. Good-speed is God-speed. Praying times are not lost times. The reaper saves time when he stops to whet his scythe. Eliezer had learned a sincere respect for his master's piety, and felt that his name was a sure talisman with God. How much more may we ask in the name of Jesus! John 14:13. What a concentration of heaven-contrived circumstances gathered around this event! Abraham planning, the servant praying and waiting expectantly, the Angel of God leading, the very camels kneeling patiently beside the well as though they counted on the troughs being filled, the damsel coming at the precise hour! It is thus that all our daily life might be aglow with the presence and help of God. Such things take place, but, alas, our eyes are holden! Compare prosper in Genesis 24:21; Genesis 24:40; Genesis 24:42; Genesis 24:56, with Psalms 1:3. See Acts 10:17. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 24:12 mean?

And he said Yahweh God of my master Abraham give success please unto me today and show kindness to my master Abraham
וַיֹּאמַ֓ר ׀ יְהוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם הַקְרֵה־ נָ֥א לְפָנַ֖י הַיּ֑וֹם וַעֲשֵׂה־ חֶ֕סֶד עִ֖ם אֲדֹנִ֥י אַבְרָהָֽם

וַיֹּאמַ֓ר ׀  And  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֗ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֱלֹהֵי֙  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
אֲדֹנִ֣י  of  my  master 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
אַבְרָהָ֔ם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
הַקְרֵה־  give  success 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: קָרָה 
Sense: to encounter, meet, befall, happen, come to meet.
נָ֥א  please 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
לְפָנַ֖י  unto  me 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
הַיּ֑וֹם  today 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
וַעֲשֵׂה־  and  show 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
חֶ֕סֶד  kindness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
אֲדֹנִ֥י  my  master 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
אַבְרָהָֽם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.