6.1.14 Gen. 24: The Courtship of Rebekah

A story full of sensitivity and tenderness, faithful and worldly. 

Just as Abraham obediently believed the Lord, so now does his servant  (and then Laban’s family). This places the story right in the theological  center of the Abraham stories. Further, it deals with “…the ubiquitous  theme of Genesis…: Behind all human plans and actions is God” 

(Plaut,229). It is, so to speak, the overture to the Joseph story. At the  same time, the story is the counterpart to Gen.12:10ff: The promise of  Abraham of the numerous descendants stands and falls with the  “ancestress”. 

For opponents of the source distinction a bargaining chip: vRad zSt’s  admission that, despite some bumps, a second source should not be  seriously considered. 

Plaut: subtle differences in the ancient Near Eastern stylistic device of  repetition (34-41): eg: Abraham’s instructions are tactfully omitted. The  late dating of vRad is questionable, especially in view of the archaic rite  of oath and the above-mentioned close integration into the center of the  Abrahamic tradition. 

By the way: Gen. 24, 12 brings the first literally reproduced prayer of the Bible!