The Servant and the Man

Genesis 24 does something very strange with Eliezer’s title throughout the text.

For the first 17 verses, Eliezer is only called הָעֶבֶד (ha-eved), or “the servant.”

But then from verses 22 to 32, Eliezer is called הָאִישׁ (ha-ish), or “the man”… seven times in a row.

He isn’t called “the servant” again until verse 53, after Laben and Bethuel agree to let Rebekah go… when Eliezer’s mission is accomplished.

The title change isn’t explained, but it’s quite noticable, even in the English.

There is certainly something special going on. Some wonder if “the angel” that Abraham referenced back in verse 7 is a clue – that Eliezer and the angle are… kind of one and the same, living out God’s divine purpose.

Daniel 9:21 calls the angel Gabriel “ha-ish” as well.

… while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.
Daniel 9:21 (NASB)

Perhaps there is something deeper here that we are supposed to learn. This particular story has layers and layers of divine teaching.

I suspect this is a pivotal theological story.

God is my Help

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
Genesis 15:2 (NIV)

Abram has a servant named Eliezer. His name is a compound word, comprised of El (God) and ezer (help). It means “God is my help.”

This is the same servant who later will find a bride for Isaac.