# What does Genesis 24:37 mean?

> What does Genesis 24:37 mean? Abraham’s servant recalls the oath to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s own people, not the Canaanites.

> My boss made me promise, saying, 'Don't let my son marry a woman from the Canaanites, the people who live here with us.'
>
> — Genesis 24:37, Modern Text Bible

## Commentary

Abraham is reminding his servant of the serious promise he made: Isaac shouldn't marry a local Canaanite woman.

The servant recounts how Abraham made him swear not to choose a wife for Isaac from the local Canaanite women, but to go to Abraham’s own family. The Hebrew word for "swear" is *shava*, which means to make a solemn promise or oath. This wasn’t just a preference—it was a binding commitment. In a world where marriage shaped the future of families and nations, this kind of oath was serious. The verse challenges the idea that choices about relationships are casual or only about personal preference. For someone today, it’s about the weight of promises and the importance of being intentional about big decisions. It’s a call to think carefully about the commitments you make, knowing they can shape your future and the lives of others.

## Similar verses

- [Genesis 24:3](https://mtbible.com/p/genesis/24/3)
- [Genesis 28:1](https://mtbible.com/p/genesis/28/1)
- [Genesis 24:2](https://mtbible.com/p/genesis/24/2)