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Genesis 24:3 - Swear against Canaanite marriages?

Genesis 24:3 - בראשית 24:3

Hebrew Text

וְאַשְׁבִּיעֲךָ בַּיהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וֵאלֹהֵי הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר לֹא־תִקַּח אִשָּׁה לִבְנִי מִבְּנוֹת הַכְּנַעֲנִי אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי יוֹשֵׁב בְּקִרְבּוֹ׃

English Translation

and I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Kena῾ani, among whom I dwell;

Transliteration

Ve'ashbi'acha ba'Adonai Elohei hashamayim ve'Elohei ha'aretz asher lo-tikach isha livni mibenot hakna'ani asher anochi yoshev bekirbo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאַשְׁבִּ֣יעֲךָ֔ בַּֽיהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃
וְאַשְׁבִּ֣יעֲךָ֔ בַּֽיהֹוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereishit 24:3) records Avraham Avinu's instruction to his servant Eliezer, charging him with finding a suitable wife for Yitzchak. Avraham makes Eliezer swear not to take a wife from the daughters of the Canaanites, despite dwelling among them. This reflects Avraham's deep concern for maintaining spiritual purity and ensuring the continuity of his monotheistic legacy.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that Avraham emphasizes "ה' אלקי השמים ואלקי הארץ" ("the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth") to highlight that Hashem is not merely a local or tribal deity, but the Sovereign of all creation. This phrasing reinforces the gravity of the oath and the universal nature of Avraham's mission.

Rejection of Canaanite Marriages

The prohibition against marrying Canaanite women is rooted in their moral and spiritual corruption. Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that the Canaanites were steeped in idolatry and immorality, making them unsuitable partners for Yitzchak, who was to be the next link in the chain of the Abrahamic covenant.

  • Moral Decay: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 59:8) describes the Canaanites as particularly degenerate, making their influence spiritually dangerous.
  • Preservation of Lineage: Avraham sought to ensure that Yitzchak's descendants would remain distinct in faith and practice, avoiding assimilation.

Avraham's Duality: Dwelling Among but Not Assimilating

Avraham states that he dwells among the Canaanites ("אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי יוֹשֵׁב בְּקִרְבּוֹ"), yet he insists on separation in marriage. The Kli Yakar notes that this teaches the balance of engaging with the world while maintaining spiritual boundaries—a principle later echoed in the concept of being "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Shemot 19:6).

The Oath's Significance

The Sforno explains that Avraham invokes a solemn oath because he foresaw the potential for future generations (e.g., Esav) to deviate from the righteous path through improper marriages. By binding Eliezer with an oath, Avraham ensures that Yitzchak's wife would come from a family aligned with his values—hence Rivka's selection from Padan-Aram, the house of Betuel and Lavan.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Kiddushin 70a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of marrying Canaanite women and the importance of swearing by God.
📖 Sanhedrin 59b
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about the laws pertaining to the descendants of Noah and the prohibition of intermarriage with Canaanites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Avraham make his servant swear not to take a wife from the Canaanites?
A: Avraham wanted to ensure his son Yitzchak would marry someone who shared his values and belief in Hashem. The Canaanites were known for their immoral behavior (Rashi on Genesis 24:3), and Avraham didn't want his descendants influenced by their ways. This teaches the importance of choosing a spouse who shares one's spiritual values.
Q: What does 'God of heaven and God of earth' mean in this verse?
A: This phrase shows Hashem's dominion over both spiritual (heaven) and physical (earth) realms. Rashi explains that Avraham specifically used this phrasing because he had made Hashem known in both spheres - first as just the 'God of heaven' to people, and later (after his deeds became known) as 'God of earth' too (Rashi on Genesis 24:3).
Q: Why was it so important where Yitzchak's wife came from?
A: The Torah emphasizes proper lineage (yichus) in marriage. Since Avraham's family would become the Jewish people, it was crucial that Yitzchak marry someone from a family that maintained moral standards. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 59:8) notes that Avraham's relatives, while not perfect, were better than the completely corrupt Canaanites.
Q: How does this verse about marriage apply to Jews today?
A: This verse establishes the Jewish value of marrying within the faith and choosing a spouse who will help build a proper Jewish home. The Rambam (Hilchos Ishus 15:2) derives from this that one should seek a spouse with good character traits who will be a proper partner in serving Hashem, just as Avraham sought for Yitzchak.
Q: Why did Avraham make his servant swear instead of just asking him?
A: The Talmud (Kiddushin 2a) teaches that important matters require strong commitments. Since finding the right wife for Yitzchak was crucial for the future of the Jewish people, Avraham insisted on an oath. Additionally, Rashi notes that Eliezer might have reasoned that Canaanite women would be more accessible, so the oath removed any doubt about Avraham's seriousness.