Knowing The Word in Genesis 24:1-9, Getting a Wife for Isaac

1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. [This description typically sets up the final deeds of a great man. Is Abraham on his deathbed?] And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. [The promised divine blessing of Abraham is made explicit by the narrator.] 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had [and his complete confidence], “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth [the God of the covenant who reigns everywhere], that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites [echoed repeated in the law], among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac [somewhat vague].” [The place the servant put his hand meant he was touching Abraham’s genitals where he had been circumcised as a covenantal marking. The place of procreation is apt when it comes to finding a wife and keeping the perpetuity of the family alive.] 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” [The servant is unsure he can achieve the request.] 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. [Abraham has no doubts of the success of the mission as long as God’s plan is honored. The Lord will provide!] 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” [Abraham offers an escape clause, emphasizing no return to the former land.] 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.