Genesis 24:26 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּקֹּ֣ד הָאִ֔ישׁ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַֽיהוָֽה׃
BSAThen the manʼîysh [a male person, individual] bowed downqâdad▸ [with bent head, kneeled] and worshipedshâchâh▸ [showed respect, obeisance] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּקֹּ֣ד | and he bowed low | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הָאִ֔ישׁ | the man | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ | and he bowed down | Verb pilpel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לַֽיהוָֽה׃ | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, |
| KJV | And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. |
| ASV | And the man bowed his head, and worshipped Jehovah. |
| YLT | And the man boweth, and doth obeisance to Jehovah, |
| WEB | The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh. |
| BBE | And with bent head the man gave worship to the Lord; |
Where they part company is in the word choice for קָדַד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is straightforward, with a clear main action followed by the object of worship.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbקָדַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 24:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Servant's Worshipgenerated
Genesis 24:26 describes a moment of worship where Abraham's servant, having completed his task, bows down to honor the LORD. This act of worship underscores the servant's recognition of God's guidance and provision in his mission to find a wife for Isaac. The surrounding verses highlight the servant's gratitude and acknowledgment of God's faithfulness, as he recounts the blessings he has received during his journey.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 24:48–52 | Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. |
| 2 | Genesis 22:5 | “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told his servants. “The boy and I will go over there to worship, and then we will return to you.” |
| 3 | Exodus 4:31 | and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped. |
| 4 | Exodus 12:27 | you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. |
| 5 | Exodus 34:8 | Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — קָדַד, vai.yi.Kodgenerated
The verb קָדַד (qadad) is a primitive root meaning to bow down or stoop, emphasizing a physical act of bending the body in deference. It is often associated with showing respect or worship, particularly towards God.
In this verse, the servant's act of bowing down signifies his humility and reverence before the LORD. This gesture is not merely a cultural practice but an expression of deep respect, as seen throughout the biblical narrative.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered similarly across translations, with all versions agreeing on the act of bowing and worshiping the LORD.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs וַיִּקֹּ֣ד (and he bowed low) and וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ (and he worshiped) govern the structure of the verse. The subject, הָאִ֔ישׁ (the man), is introduced first, followed by the actions he takes.
The sentence structure emphasizes the actions of the man, highlighting both the act of bowing and the act of worship as significant expressions of reverence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates קָדַד as εὐδοκήσας, indicating a choice that emphasizes the servant's goodwill in worship. This choice reflects a broader understanding of worship as an act of favor or acceptance.
For וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ, the translation προσεκύνησεν aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning of worship, reinforcing the act of showing deep respect.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 24:26 shows the servant of Abraham bowing down and worshiping the LORD. This act of worship signifies his respect and gratitude towards God for guiding him in his mission to find a wife for Isaac.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Bowing down signifies humility and respect, particularly in worshiping God, as seen in many biblical contexts.
Worship is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and guidance, reflecting the servant's gratitude for divine assistance.
The servant's worship highlights his recognition of God's providence in fulfilling Abraham's request to find a suitable wife for Isaac.
The servant's actions teach us the importance of humility and gratitude in our relationship with God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I show respect and worship to God in my daily life?
- How can I express gratitude for the guidance I receive in my own journey?
- What does bowing down signify to me in my relationship with God?
- How can I encourage others to recognize and honor God's guidance in their lives?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 24:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the man bowed down his head,.... To show what a deep sense he had of the divine goodness, and in humble acknowledgment of the favours he had received in being thus providentially directed: and
Read John Gill on Genesis 24 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. The man bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord The pious character of Abraham's messenger The man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 24 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleGiving thanks to God for his marvellous assistance hitherto, and begging the continuance of his presence and blessing.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 24 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 24:26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.Ver. 26. And the man bowed down his head.] See how he relisheth of his master’ s house, and showeth a gracious heart, ready to offer up a sacrifice of praise, wherever God shall please to set it up an altar. The same word in Greek (÷áñéò) signifieth, grace and thanks; to show, that as any man hath more grace, he is more grateful to God and man. It is observable also, that our Saviour sets these two together, - "the unthankful, and the evil"; "He is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil".
Read John Trapp on Genesis 24 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Bowed down his head, and worshipped] Two acts of adoration are mentioned here; 1. Bowing the head, יקד yikkod; and 2. Prostration upon the earth, וישתחו vaiyishtaehu. The bowing of the head was to Rebekah, to return her thanks for her kind invitation. The prostration was to Jehovah, in gratitude for the success with which he had favoured him.
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 24 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. the man bowed his head] Cf. Genesis 24:48, Genesis 43:28 (J). Rebekah’s mention of her family had dispelled the servant’s last doubt; bowing his head he gives praise to Jehovah, the God of Abraham; cf. Genesis 24:12.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 24 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,
The man bowed his head, and worshiped Yahweh.
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,
The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord,
Tyndale line
And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.
And the man bowed his head, and worshipped Jehovah.
And the man bowed his head, and worshipped the LORD.
And the man bowed his head, and worshipped the LORD.
And the man bowed himselfe and worshipped the Lord,
Strictly literal
And the man stooped, and bowed down before Jehovah,
And the man boweth, and doth obeisance to Jehovah,
And the man bows, and pays respect to YHWH,
And the man bowed down his head, and prostrated himself before the Lord.
Then the man bowed down and worshiped Yahweh.
From the Latin
The man bowed himself down, and adored the Lord,
Simplified
The man kneeled down and bowed in worship to the Lord.
And with bent head the man gave worship to the Lord;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of the verse, with four words matched directly. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, using the form ישׁתחוי for 'bow down', but retains the overall meaning.
וַיִּקֹּ֣ד הָאִ֔ישׁ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ לַֽיהוָֽה׃
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויקד האישׁ וישׁתחוי ליהוה
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: ישׁתחוי (bow down)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 24:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
קָדַד (qadad) is a primitive root meaning to bow down or stoop, often in a gesture of deference. The entries consistently emphasize the physical act of bending the body or neck, particularly in relation to bowing the head.
[קָדַד] vb. bow down
base
H6915 קָדַד
6915 qadad kaw-dad'
a primitive root; to shrivel up, i.e. contract or bend the
body (or neck) in deference:--bow (down) (the) head, stoop.
קָדַד (qa.dad) — to bow.
(Qal) to bow down
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.
אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)
base
H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)
376 'iysh eesh
contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root
meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male
person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and
in such cases frequently not expressed in
translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +
champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,
husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),
him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,
person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.
Compare 802.
see HEBREW for 0582
see HEBREW for 0802
אִישׁ (ish) — man.
: man
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.
: husband
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.
: anyone/someone
1) man
1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)
1b) husband
1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)
1d) servant
1e) mankind
1f) champion
1g) great man
2) whosoever
3) each (adjective)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
See ANTHROPOLOGY.
Man
(1.) Heb. ‘Adam, used as the proper name of the first man. The name is derived from a word meaning “to be red,” and thus the first man was called Adam because he was formed from the red earth. It is also the generic name of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:2; 8:21; Deut. 8:3). Its equivalents are the Latin homo and the Greek anthropos (Matt. 5:13, 16). It denotes also man in opposition to woman (Gen. 3:12; Matt. 19:10).
(2.) Heb. ‘ish, like the Latin vir and Greek aner, denotes properly a man in opposition to a woman (1 Sam. 17:33;
Four Hebrew terms are rendered "man" in the Authorized Version: Adam, the name of the man created in the image of God. It appears to be derived from adam , "he or it was red or ruddy," like Edom. This was the generic term for the human race. Ish , "man," as distinguished from woman, husband. Geber , "a man," from gabar , "to be strong," generally with reference to his strength. Methim , "men," always masculine. Perhaps it may be derived from the root muth , "he died."
The Hebrew word שָׁחָה (*shachah*) is a primitive root meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself, particularly in homage to a superior or in worship before God. It can also imply a figurative sense of being depressed by anxiety. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including worship of both God and false gods.
[שָׁחָה] 172 vb. bow down
Qal bow down
Hiph. fig., anxiety depresses it
Hithpa‛lēl
bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.
before God, in worship
before other gods
base
H7812 שָׁחָה bow down .bow down
. fig., anxiety depresses it
.. bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.
. before God, in worship
. before other gods
7812 shachah shaw-khaw'
a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially
reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down,
crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance,
do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
שָׁחָה (sha.chah) — to bow.
1) to bow down
1a) (Qal) to bow down
1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself
1c1a) before superior in homage
1c1b) before God in worship
1c1c) before false gods
1c1d) before angel
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb pilpel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vvw3ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt