Genesis 24:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After clearly instructing the servant and alleviating any uncertainty—since the servant was apprehensive about violating his oath by failing to carry out the command—he reportedly placed his hand under the thigh and affirmed with an oath that he would not take Isaac there.

When Abraham issued this command, the servant promptly made an oath, placing his hand upon his master's thigh. This signifies that the commitment made in the oath encompassed nearly the entire lineage that came from Abraham.

The servant pledged allegiance to his master, departing from all grace and journeyed to Aram, specifically to the city of Nahor.

The Jewish tradition holds that he made an oath by the sanctification of Abraham, which refers to circumcision. In our understanding, he swore by Abraham's offspring, specifically by Christ, who would emerge from his lineage. This is supported by the Evangelist Matthew, who states, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).