that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abraham invokes "the God of heaven and God of the earth" not just as a witness to the oath, but to emphasize that this divine being governs the entire universe, not merely Canaan. This grand scope underscores that the prohibition against marrying Canaanites is rooted in a spiritual mandate for separation, not just a cultural preference or a fear of local immorality.
that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abraham, old and facing his own mortality, is sending his most trusted servant on a crucial mission: to find a wife for his son Isaac from Abraham's own relatives, not from the Canaanite women living among them. This charge is given with an oath, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the family's distinct lineage and faith. The servant's journey to Mesopotamia and his reliance on divine guidance to identify the right woman are unfolding.
Abraham doesn't just want his servant to swear an oath; he wants it sworn by the most powerful name possible. This reveals a deep understanding of who God is.
Abraham invokes God as "the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth." This isn't just a title; it's a profound declaration of faith.
A Universal Lord
Binding Power
Why such a strong prohibition against marrying Canaanites? It's more than just cultural preference; it's about preserving a sacred lineage.
Abraham's command to his servant not to take a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites is a critical moment, rooted in protecting the covenant.
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Religious and Moral Purity
A Distinct People
Understand the original words
shaba · Hebrew Verb
A formal declaration or promise, often made before God, invoking Him as a witness to the truthfulness or binding nature of the statement. Breaking such an oath was considered a serious offense before God.
Kenaani · Hebrew Noun
A distinct people group occupying the land promised to Abraham’s descendants. They are frequently associated with idolatry and moral corruption in the biblical narrative, serving as a warning against spiritual compromise.
Abraham's directive reflects a deep concern for maintaining the purity of the covenant line, fearing that intermarriage with the Canaanites would lead Isaac astray from the worship of the one true God.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abraham's Covenantal Promise
God promises Abraham land and descendants, establishing a covenant relationship. This promise forms the basis for Abraham's concern about his lineage and the future of his people.
c. 1900-1800 BC
Abraham Dwells Among Canaanites
Abraham and his family live among the Canaanites, observing their customs and practices. This cohabitation highlights the potential for cultural and religious assimilation.
c. 1850 BC— this verse
Abraham's Servant Sent
Abraham, old and concerned for Isaac's future, sends his most trusted servant to his homeland (Mesopotamia) to find a wife for Isaac.
c. 1850 BC
The Oath is Taken
Abraham's servant takes a solemn oath to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham's kindred, specifically prohibiting a Canaanite woman.
c. 1850 BC
Rebekah Chosen by Sign
The servant devises a test at a well, and Rebekah fulfills the criteria, indicating she is the one chosen by God for Isaac.
c. 1850 BC
Rebekah Departs for Canaan
Rebekah agrees to leave her home and travel with the servant to Canaan to marry Isaac, a significant step for the continuation of the covenant line.
This passage echoes Abraham's concern, directly prohibiting marriage with foreign nations to preserve the Israelites' distinct identity and devotion to God.
Exodus 34:16Similar to Genesis 24:3, this verse warns against marrying daughters of other nations, linking it to idolatry and spiritual corruption, highlighting the religious implications of such unions.
Nehemiah 13:23-27Centuries later, Nehemiah faced similar issues with intermarriage, showing the ongoing struggle to maintain the community's distinctiveness and faithfulness to God, as Abraham was concerned about here.
2 Corinthians 6:14This New Testament passage directly addresses the principle of not being 'unequally yoked' with unbelievers, reflecting the same concern Abraham had for Isaac's spiritual well-being.
cambridgeGenesis 24:3: "And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:"
3 . the God of heaven … earth ] This solemn title of Jehovah as God of the whole universe is more common in later Hebrew writings; cf. Ezra 5:11 . This form of adjuration indicates the conviction of the writer that the God of the Hebrews was the God of the whole world, not merely of a particular l…
calvinGenesis 24:1-67: "And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things."
The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
Iehova Deus coeli, qui tulit me e domo patris mei, et e terra cognationis meae, et qui loquutus est…
Abraham invokes "the God of heaven and God of the earth" not just as a witness to the oath, but to emphasize that this divine being governs the entire universe, not merely Canaan. This grand scope underscores that the prohibition against marrying Canaanites is rooted in a spiritual mandate for separation, not just a cultural preference or a fear of local immorality.
Abraham, old and facing his own mortality, is sending his most trusted servant on a crucial mission: to find a wife for his son Isaac from Abraham's own relatives, not from the Canaanite women living among them. This charge is given with an oath, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the family's distinct lineage and faith. The servant's journey to Mesopotamia and his reliance on divine guidance to identify the right woman are unfolding.
Abraham, old and facing his own mortality, is sending his most trusted servant on a crucial mission: to find a wife for his son Isaac from Abraham's own relatives, not from the Canaanite women living among them. This charge is given with an oath, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the family's distinct lineage and faith. The servant's journey to Mesopotamia and his reliance on divine guidance to identify the right woman are unfolding.
"that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell," — Abraham invokes "the God of heaven and God of the earth" not just as a witness to the oath, but to emphasize that this divine being governs the entire universe, not merely Canaan. This grand scope un…
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Last reviewed October 2026