John Gill Commentary Genesis 24:49

John Gill Commentary

Genesis 24:49

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Genesis 24:49

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"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." — Genesis 24:49 (ASV)

And now, if you deal kindly and truly with my master, tell
me
The servant directs himself to more than one, to the whole family, especially to Laban and Bethuel; if you will do my master a kindness, and grant him the favour he requests, that a damsel of this family may be given for a wife to his son; and, if you are hearty and sincere in granting this, tell me at once: and if not, tell me :
if you do not choose to gratify my master, and are not hearty in this matter, let me know: that I may turn to the right hand or to the left ;
look out elsewhere among the daughters of some of the other sons of Nahor; for he had seven more which Milcah bare to him besides Bethuel, as well as four others by a concubine, (Genesis 22:20–24) ; though some of the Jewish writers


``to the south or to the north;'' because when a man stands with his face to the east, the south is on his right hand, and the north on his left.

FOOTNOTES:

  • F15: by "the right hand" understand the daughters of Ishmael, that dwelt to the right, and by "the left [hand]" the daughters of Lot, who were to the left, which is not likely: it seems to be only a proverbial expression, that, if they did not choose to attend to his proposal in his master's name, he must take some other method, as he might be directed; he knew not for the present which way, whether he should steer his course to the right or left, but some way he must take. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it,