Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

2 3 : 1-2 S : 1 8 GENESIS
Abraham’s steward, “his servant, the elder of his house,
that ruled over all that he had,” is usually taken to have
been the Eliezer of Damascus (1 s :2) who some sixty years
previously vas regarded as the heir presumptive to Abra-
ham’s house. However, “it seems a rather rare case that
one servant should be in another man’s employ for such a
length of time. In fact, it would seem that Eliezer must
have been in Abraham’s employ more than twenty years
to arrive at a position of such influence as he held acdord-
ing (to 11:12. That would necessitate by the time of this
chapter eighty consecutive years of service!” Still and all,
this man of ch. 24 had the complete management of Abra-
ham’s household; he was “the one ruling” all that Abraham
had. Surely this indicates ripe experience and great trust-
worthiness!
(2) The Oath. Abraham put the steward under oath
in order that his wishes might be inviolably fulfilled, even
if he (Abraham) should die in the interim. He made the
steward swear that he would not take a wife for his son
from among the daughters of the Canaanites, but would
bring back a wife from his (Abraham’s) native country
and his kinsfolk. “Put thy hand under my thigh,” etc.
“This custom, which is only mentioned here and in chap.
47:29, the so-called bodily oath, was no doubt connected
with the significance of the hip as the part from which
the posterity issued (46:26), and the seat of vital power;
but the early Jewish commentators supposed it to be
especially connected with the rite of circumcision” (BCO
TI?, 257). (Cf. 35:11, Exo. 1:S). For the Jewish view,
note the following: “When one swears, he takes a sacred
object in his hand, such as the Scroll of the Law or the
phylacteries. The circumcision was the first precept of
God to him [Abraham], and had also come to him only
through great pain; hence it was particularly precious to
him, and so he ordered his servant to put his hand upon
it when taking the oath (Rashi). This is done when a
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