The Meaning of Genesis 24:52 Explained

Genesis 24:52

KJV: And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

YLT: And it cometh to pass, when the servant of Abraham hath heard their words, that he boweth himself towards the earth before Jehovah;

Darby: And it came to pass, when Abraham's servant heard their words, that he bowed down to the earth before Jehovah.

ASV: And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto Jehovah.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's  servant  heard  their words,  he worshipped  the LORD,  [bowing himself] to the earth. 

What does Genesis 24:52 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 24:50-67 - Rebekah Marries Isaac
Rebekah's relatives recognized the hand of God in what had taken place, and could not demur. The maiden herself was not asked, according to Oriental custom, but in her readiness on the following morning to start forthwith, it was clear that her heart had been already won. This favorable reply prostrated Eliezer to the earth with thankfulness. Would that we were always as eager to praise as to pray. The precious gifts with which the whole family were enriched, remind us of those gifts and graces with which the Holy Spirit, the Divine Wooer, enriches the soul that accepts His invitation to yield itself to the Divine Master, Christ. When her friends suggested delay, Rebekah would not hear of it. With his jewels on her person, the young girl longed to see the bridegroom himself. Her "I will go" settled the matter. The foretastes of our heavenly inheritance whet our appetite to see and be with him, whom, not having seen, we love. [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 24:52 mean?

And it came to pass when heard servant Abraham's - their words that he bowed down to the ground Yahweh
וַיְהִ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁמַ֛ע עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־ דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ אַ֖רְצָה לַֽיהוָֽה

וַיְהִ֕י  And  it  came  to  pass 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
שָׁמַ֛ע  heard 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
עֶ֥בֶד  servant 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
אַבְרָהָ֖ם  Abraham's 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
דִּבְרֵיהֶ֑ם  their  words 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ  that  he  bowed  down 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁחָה  
Sense: to bow down.
אַ֖רְצָה  to  the  ground 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
לַֽיהוָֽה  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.