See Genesis xxiv.

THIS picture, which relates to the touching and familiar story of Eliezer and Rebekah, shows the first meeting between Abraham's servant and the beautiful maiden who afterwards became Isaac's wife and the mother of Israel. Sarah had been buried in the cave at Machpelah, and Abraham, now stricken with age, wished to provide a wife for Isaac; so Eliezer, his chief steward, in whom he trusted, and who had charge of all his goods, was called: and Abraham caused Eliezer to swear that he would not choose from among the Canaanites a wife for Isaac, but bade him journey to Mesopotamia, whence Abraham was called, and there seek for a bride among the daughters of his kindred. And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed (for all the goods of his master were in his hand) and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the City of Nahor: And he made his camels to kneel down without the city, by a well of water, at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. And he said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the City come out to draw water: And let it come to pass that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink, and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also, let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master."

And it happened that ere yet his prayer was ended, Rebekah, the grand-daughter of Abraham's brother, "a damsel fair to look upon," came out of the city to draw water at the well. When the stranger asked for water from her pitcher, she answered him kindly, saying, "Drink, my lord, and I will draw water for thy camels also," and she drew for all the camels. Then Eliezer, after he had given her ornaments of gold, asked whose daughter she was, and whether he could find lodging for the night in her father's house; and Rebekah hastened within the gates and told all that had happened, and her brother Laban went out and sought the stranger and conducted him to the house of Bethuel, his father, where he was welcomed and provided for. But before partaking of the food that had been prepared for him, Eliezer made known his errand, related all that had transpired at the well, and asked that Rebekah might be given to Isaac, who was rich in camels and gold, and could provide for her abundantly. Then they replied: "Behold, Rebekah is before thee; take her and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken." * * * * "And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man And she said, I will go."