Genesis 24:32

So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator describes Abraham’s servant arriving at Laban’s house immediately after Laban’s invitation in the preceding verse, detailing the immediate logistical care given to the caravan.

The words — וַ/יְפַתַּ֖ח (va/y.fa.Tach) = and he unharnessed [H6605] records the unloading action, while תֶּ֤בֶן (Te.ven) = straw [H8401] specifies the fodder provided for the camels.

The thread — Genesis 43:24 and Judges 19:21 both record hosts providing water for washing feet and feed for animals, establishing a cultural hospitality pattern. Genesis 18:4 similarly notes water for washing feet but does not mention animal feed.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that practical care for travelers and livestock is a baseline obligation that must be fulfilled before spiritual negotiations begin.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיָּבֹ֤אva/i.ya.Vo'and/ he went הָאִישׁ֙ha./'Ishthe/ man הַבַּ֔יְתָהha./Bay.ta/hthe/ house/ towards וַיְפַתַּ֖חva/y.fa.Tachand/ he unharnessed הַגְּמַלִּ֑יםha./ge.ma.Limthe/ camels וַיִּתֵּ֨ןva/i.yi.Tenand/ he gave תֶּ֤בֶןTe.venstraw וּמִסְפּוֹא֙u./mis.pO'and/ fodder לַגְּמַלִּ֔יםla./ge.ma.Limto the/ camels וּמַ֙יִם֙u./Ma.yimand/ water לִרְחֹ֣ץli/r.Chotzto/ wash רַגְלָ֔יוrag.La/vfeet/ his וְרַגְלֵ֥יve./rag.Leiand/ [the] feet of הָאֲנָשִׁ֖יםha./'a.na.Shimthe/ men אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwho אִתּֽוֹ׃'i.T/o[were] with/ him

King James Version

And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that were with him.

Cross-references

Genesis 43:24 And the steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided food for their donkeys.
Judges 19:21 So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.
Genesis 18:4 Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
Genesis 19:2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”
Luke 7:44 And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
1 Timothy 5:10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
1 Samuel 25:41 She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”
John 13:4 So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist.