complete verse (Genesis 24:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 24:8:

  • Kankanaey: “And if however she refuses to come-with (you) here, that-aforementioned that you (sing.) will swear will be cancelled. Just-so-long-as you (sing.) don’t accompany my child there,’ said Abraham.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In case it happens that woman says [I] will not come with you even if this promise is not fulfilled it will be all right. Just do not take my son there.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If the woman is not willing to come-with you (sing.), you have no responsibility from this oath of yours to me. But only don’t take my child there.'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But if the woman you find will not come back with you, you are free to disregard the promise you are making. The only thing that you must not do is to take my son to live there!'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 24:8

In this verse Abraham responds to the servant’s hesitation to accept the assignment (verse 5), by assuring him that he will not be punished if the woman refuses.

Revised Standard Version But (retained also in New Revised Standard Version) contrasts the condition that would result for the servant in verse 5 with his being free from his oath in this verse.

For follow you see Gen 24.5.

Free from this oath of mine: free translates a word meaning “clean,” “purged,” that is, “purged from guilt” and so “free from guilt,” And so the servant will be free from the punishment that failing to keep the oath would bring upon him. We may also say, for example, “This oath you take will not cause you to be punished.” In the context of oaths the Hebrew term means in practice being free or exempt from obligations; so another way of rendering free from that is followed by a number of translations is “this promise will not bind you any longer.”

Oath of mine: that is, “the oath you swear to me,” “the oath I make you take,” “the vow [promise] you make to me.”

Only introduces a restriction here, something that must not be done. The Hebrew term sometimes adds emphasis or strength to the statement that follows; so Good News Translation has “not under any circumstances.” Another way of expressing this is “No matter what you do, don’t take….”

You must not take my son back there repeats Abraham’s demand against Isaac returning to Mesopotamia. See the wording in Gen 24.6.

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 .