One verse. Three ways to understand.
Abraham said to his oldest and most trusted servant, who was in charge of everything he owned, 'Please put your hand under my thigh.'
Abraham is asking his most trusted servant to make a solemn oath by placing his hand under Abraham's thigh, which was an ancient way of making a sacred promise.
These are AI-assisted adaptations, not separate Bible editions. Compare them with the KJV source and read our methodology. How these readings are made →
Read the KJV source
King James Version · EnglishAnd Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:Ask the AI Assistant
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📚 Historical Context
In the ancient Near East, placing a hand under someone's thigh was a solemn cultural practice used to swear an oath, often symbolizing a binding commitment tied to one's family lineage and descendants. This verse occurs in Genesis 24, where Abraham, an elderly patriarch, is instructing his most trusted servant to find a suitable wife for his son Isaac from among his relatives, ensuring the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to his family. Abraham's action reflects his deep concern for maintaining the purity and continuity of his household in a pagan society.