7 Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And Abraham ran unto the herd,.... While Sarah and her maids were kneading the dough and making the cakes:
and fetched a calf tender and good; a fine fat calf, which was reckoned very delicious food, and much in use with the ancients (q) and generally made a part in any grand entertainment, and was accounted fit for a king, see 1-Samuel 28:24,
and gave it unto a young man: one of his servants, to kill and dress as soon as possible; Jarchi says this was Ishmael, whom he trained up to such service:
and he hasted to dress it; the young man made all the haste he could to get it ready, according to the orders of Abraham.
(q) --Orpheus de lapidibus, ver. 63.
Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf--Animal food is never provided, except for visitors of a superior rank when a kid or lamb is killed. A calf is still a higher stretch of hospitality, and it would probably be cooked as is usually done when haste is required--either by roasting it whole or by cutting it up into small pieces and broiling them on skewers over the fire. It is always eaten along with boiled corn swimming in butter or melted fat, into which every morsel of meat, laid upon a piece of bread, is dipped, before being conveyed by the fingers to the mouth.
*More commentary available at chapter level.