Genesis 24:12
וַיֹּאמַ֓ר יְהוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י אַבְרָהָ֔ם הַקְרֵה־נָ֥א לְפָנַ֖י הַיֹּ֑ום וַעֲשֵׂה־חֶ֕סֶד עִ֖ם אֲדֹנִ֥י אַבְרָהָֽם׃
Prayer Address: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם
יְהוָה — the divine name of covenantal intimacy and sovereignty, serves as the vocative subject of the prayer.
- אֱלֹהֵי אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם — “God of my master Avraham,” a construct chain identifying the servant’s allegiance and reverence
This invocation anchors the prayer in the patriarchal covenant, highlighting the servant’s role as an extension of Avraham’s mission.
First Petition: הַקְרֵה־נָא לְפָנַי הַיּוֹם
הַקְרֵה — Hifil imperative 2ms of ק־ר־ה (“to cause to happen, meet”), a causative verb requesting divine orchestration.
- נָא — a polite particle (“please”), softens the command into earnest entreaty
- לְפָנַי — “before me,” literally “to my face,” a spatial and relational expression of divine leading
- הַיּוֹם — “today,” emphasizing immediacy
Altogether: “Please cause to happen before me today” — a request for providential guidance in real time.
Second Petition: וַעֲשֵׂה־חֶסֶד עִם אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם
וַעֲשֵׂה — Qal imperative 2ms of ע־שׂ־ה (“to do, perform”), another imperative softened by its parallel structure.
- חֶסֶד — “steadfast love, kindness,” a covenantal term rich in relational loyalty
- עִם אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם — “with my master Avraham,” signifying the recipient of the kindness and tying it to the divine promises made to him
This clause frames the servant’s success as an act of ḥesed — faithful love toward Avraham, not just personal fortune.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Genesis 24:12
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| הַקְרֵה | ק־ר־ה | Hifil imperative (2ms) | “Cause to happen” — request for divine arrangement |
| נָא | — | Particle of entreaty | “Please” — softens the imperative tone |
| עֲשֵׂה | ע־שׂ־ה | Qal imperative (2ms) | “Do” — appeal to perform covenantal kindness |
| חֶסֶד | ח־ס־ד | Noun (ms) | “Kindness, loyal love” — covenant-oriented action |
The Grammar of Faithful Petition
Genesis 24:12 weaves together direct address, softened imperatives, and covenantal vocabulary to express a servant’s faithful dependence on divine guidance. The grammar not only conveys request but theology — YHWH is invoked not only as God but as אֱלֹהֵי אֲדֹנִי אַבְרָהָם, and the requests are not selfish but grounded in the promise of חֶסֶד. The imperatives thus become acts of trust — linguistic reflections of faith.
