Genesis 24:41

Then shalt thou bee cleare from this my oath, when thou commest to my kinred, and if they giue not thee one, thou shalt be cleare from my oath. Genesis 24:41 (KJV)

This verse belongs to the narrative of Abraham’s servant who was commissioned to find a wife for Isaac. The servant had journeyed back to Abraham’s homeland in order to seek a suitable woman from among Abraham’s own relatives rather than from the Canaanites among whom they were living. In the dialogue of Genesis 24:41 the servant is addressing Abraham’s brother Laban, explaining the terms of his mission. The broader context is found in Genesis 24, where an aged Abraham desires a wife for his son Isaac and therefore makes his trusted servant swear an oath to bring back a wife from their own kin. The servant expresses hesitation and concern about locating the right woman, and he proposes a conditional scenario to Abraham. He tells Laban that if Laban’s family does not provide a suitable woman for Isaac, then the servant will be released from the oath he swore to Abraham. In other words, the servant’s obligation depends on the willingness of Laban’s family to agree to the marriage proposal. This statement highlights the servant’s anxiety about finding a woman who would be willing to leave her family and travel to marry Isaac. At the same time it reveals the servant’s reliance on God’s guidance throughout the undertaking. He trusts that if God does not provide a suitable wife from Abraham’s kindred, the oath will no longer bind him. The passage therefore underscores the importance of honoring commitments while also following God’s leading. It also demonstrates the servant’s faith and confidence in God’s provision as he carries out the delicate task of securing a wife for Isaac.