The Meaning of Genesis 24:13 Explained

Genesis 24:13

KJV: Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

YLT: lo, I am standing by the fountain of water, and daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water;

Darby: Behold, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.

ASV: Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Behold, I stand  [here] by the well  of water;  and the daughters  of the men  of the city  come out  to draw  water: 

What does Genesis 24:13 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 24:13 mean?

Behold I stand [here] by the well of water and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water
הִנֵּ֛ה אָנֹכִ֥י נִצָּ֖ב עַל־ עֵ֣ין הַמָּ֑יִם וּבְנוֹת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י הָעִ֔יר יֹצְאֹ֖ת לִשְׁאֹ֥ב מָֽיִם

הִנֵּ֛ה  Behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
נִצָּ֖ב  stand  [here] 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: הֻצַּב 
Sense: to stand, take one’s stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish.
עֵ֣ין  the  well 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
הַמָּ֑יִם  of  water 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
וּבְנוֹת֙  and  the  daughters 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: בַּת  
Sense: daughter.
אַנְשֵׁ֣י  of  the  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
הָעִ֔יר  of  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
יֹצְאֹ֖ת  are  coming  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, feminine plural
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
לִשְׁאֹ֥ב  to  draw 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁאַב  
Sense: to draw (water).
מָֽיִם  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.