And Abraham said: And is not a satisfactory transition for English in this context. This sentence begins the story line and requires a transition that separates it from the introduction in Gen 24.1. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bible en français courant, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy say “One day Abraham said….”

In some languages this use of said to indicates to readers that the servant was already there with Abraham. In these languages it is necessary to say, for example, “Abraham called in the servant … and he said to him….”

Servant translates a Hebrew word used in 14.15; 18.7; 20.8; 21.25. In these passages the meaning ranges from “slave” to “official.” Abraham’s servant in this story is a highly placed person who is trusted with Abraham’s wealth as well as with family affairs as delicate as obtaining a wife for Abraham’s only son.

English translations use servant to mean someone who serves and belongs to a master. Other languages refer to this kind of individual in other ways. It would be inappropriate to use a term meaning a domestic servant, house worker, or table waiter. However, such terms as “helper,” “administrator,” “overseer” are sometimes used. In some languages such a person may be referred to as “one who keeps his eye open,” “the one who walks close to the boss,” “the one on the chief’s right hand.”

Note that the servant’s name is never given. He is “Abraham’s servant,” and thus the focus of the story is never entirely withdrawn from Abraham until the conclusion. (Some think the servant is Eliezer, who is referred to only in 15.2. However, he has not appeared in any earlier account and does not appear again.)

The oldest of his house: oldest translates the same Hebrew word applied to Abraham in Gen 24.1. He is called the oldest but is obviously not so old as to be unable to make a caravan trip to Mesopotamia and back. He is “the senior servant” (New Jerusalem Bible), “the chief servant” (New International Version).

Who had charge of all that he had: had charge translates a verb meaning to rule or control and, in connection with possessions, has the sense of “administer,” “oversee,” “look after.” All that he had means all of his property, goods, possessions. For a parallel expression see 39.4, in which Joseph carries out the same duties.

Put your hand under my thigh: the Hebrew contains a particle of entreaty with the word for put that gives the command a polite tone, something like “Please put,” “I pray you to place,” “Kindly lay.” Abraham is charging his servant to swear an oath accompanied by a symbolic gesture that is said to be a very ancient custom. By this same gesture Jacob later required Joseph to swear to him that Jacob’s body would not be buried in Egypt (47.29-31).

Thigh is no doubt used here as an indirect or figurative way of referring to the genitals. In 46.26 and Exo 1.5 in the Hebrew text, sons are said to come from their father’s thigh. However, the full meaning of the gesture is not clear. Some interpret it to mean that the person ordering the oath (Abraham) is calling on his descendants to make the oath-taker (the servant) keep the oath, and calling for his posterity to avenge him if the oath-taker fails to perform his duty. Another interpretation is that the symbolism means that the oath-taker will be made incapable of having children if he does not keep his word. In the cases of Abraham and Jacob, both were near death and were making provision for the future.

Good News Translation‘s rendering “between my thighs” causes people to think of the genitals. However, translators should avoid any expression that is unsuitable for public reading. In many languages there are euphemisms, or roundabout ways, for referring to the genitals that people understand without being offended. A translation in one language, for instance, is “You have to make me a promise. You can’t ever break this promise. And as proof of this promise you have to touch my body.”

It is not essential, however, to retain the ancient gesture; for example, Revised English Bible has departed from New English Bible‘s earlier translation and says “Give me your solemn oath.” Translators may find this a satisfactory model. On the other hand, if the symbolic act is retained, its meaning should be given, as in Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .