The Meaning of Genesis 24:49 Explained

Genesis 24:49

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.

YLT: 'And now, if ye are dealing kindly and truly with my lord, declare to me; and if not, declare to me; and I turn unto the right or unto the left.'

Darby: And now, if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me; and I will turn to the right hand or to the left.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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?

Context Summary

Genesis 24:28-49 - Abraham's Servant Fulfills His Mission
This worthy man was almost garrulous about his master. Count the number of times in which he contrives to introduce those two words, "my master." He put the errand on which he had come before his necessary food, and poured out his story in a stream of crystal utterance, which was the highest eloquence. This identification of his thought and speech with his master's interests is full of teaching for us all. He could talk of nothing else, was only anxious not to fail for Abraham's sake; and took the favorable reply as kindness shown to him whom he represented. George Herbert caught the same spirit when he spoke of "the aromatic fragrance" of "My Master" when applied to Jesus. We, too, are called to be ambassadors, as though God did beseech men by us. If we are in the way of God's will, be sure that the Lord will not only lead, but lead "in the right way," and will create for us a sympathetic reception whither we go. [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 24:49 mean?

Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master tell me and if not me that I may turn to the right hand or the left
וְ֠עַתָּה אִם־ יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם עֹשִׂ֜ים חֶ֧סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת אֶת־ אֲדֹנִ֖י הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֑י וְאִם־ לֹ֕א לִ֔י וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה עַל־ יָמִ֖ין א֥וֹ שְׂמֹֽאל

וְ֠עַתָּה  Now 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם  you  will 
Parse: Adverb, second person masculine plural
Root: יֵשׁ  
Sense: being, existence, substance, there is or are.
עֹשִׂ֜ים  deal 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
חֶ֧סֶד  kindly 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת  and  truly 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֱמֶת  
Sense: firmness, faithfulness, truth.
אֲדֹנִ֖י  my  master 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
הַגִּ֣ידוּ  tell 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
לִ֑י  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
וְאִם־  and  if 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
לִ֔י  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה  that  I  may  turn 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: פֹּונֶה 
Sense: to turn.
יָמִ֖ין  the  right  hand 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: יָמִין  
Sense: right, right hand, right side.
שְׂמֹֽאל  the  left 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שְׂמֹאל  
Sense: the left, the left hand, the left side.