Why Abraham Made Eliezer Swear by Circumcision

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 24:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"The elder of his house" (Genesis 24:2): The elder — the radiance of the visage (ziv ikonin) of Abraham resembled Eliezer. "Who ruled over all that he had": who ruled in the Torah of his master. "Place now your hand under my thigh" (Genesis 24:2): For all who take an oath must grasp an object in their hand. And what was the matter concerning which Abraham told Eliezer that he should swear to him by the circumcision? And why did he have him swear by the circumcision? Because he had suffered greatly through the circumcision. One verse says, "And I will make you swear by the LORD, God of heaven and God of earth" (verse 3), and another verse says, "God of heaven" (verse 7), and it does not say "God of earth." And why did it mention "God of earth" in one verse, and in another verse it did not say "God of earth"? Rather, because Abraham established an inn (pundak) and made it so that all would recognize the Holy One, blessed be He. And why so? Rather, Abraham said: At the time when He took me from my father's house, He was only "God of heaven," for there was no one on earth who recognized Him; but now He is "God of earth," because Abraham established an inn and did everything so that they would recognize the Holy One, blessed be He. And so it says, "and the souls that they had made in Haran" (Genesis 12:5), and it says, "and he called there in the name of the LORD, God of the world" (Genesis 21:33).

Themes

HospitalityAbrahamCreationCovenantHeaven

Biblical References

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Yalkut Shimoni on TorahOnce Abraham Was Circumcised God Appeared to Him in PersonAfter the pain of circumcision, Abraham worries over a loss that has nothing to do with his body. He was famous for his open tent and his welcome of travelers, Midrash AggadahWhy Abraham Hastened and Sarah Kneaded the Unleavened CakesWhen the three visitors came to his tent, Abraham did not stroll toward his kitchen. He ran. The verse says he "hastened," and from that single word the sages dApocalypse of AbrahamGod Promises Abraham Descendants Like the StarsThe Eternal Mighty One said: "Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am." "Look down at the stars beneath your feet. Count them for me. Make known to me their number." AbraTargum JonathanOg Survived the Flood by Riding on Top of the ArkGenesis 14 is a war chapter, four kings against five, a battle in the Valley of Siddim, Lot taken captive, Abraham riding to the rescue. The Hebrew text is sparTargum JonathanWhy Abraham Fell on His Face Before CircumcisionGenesis 17 records the moment God commands Abraham to circumcise himself at ninety-nine years old. The Hebrew text says Abraham "fell on his face" when God spokMidrash AggadahWhy Abraham Gave All That He Had to Isaac the BirthrightWhen Scripture says that Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, what was this gift? The sages read it two ways. It was the birthright — the firstborn's portion,