Genesis 22:23 kjv

And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

Genesis 22:23 nkjv

And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

Genesis 22:23 niv

Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milkah bore these eight sons to Abraham's brother Nahor.

Genesis 22:23 esv

(Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

Genesis 22:23 nlt

(Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.) In addition to these eight sons from Milcah,

Genesis 22 verses

Genesis 22 23 Meaning

Genesis 22:23 declares that Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, and further specifies that Bethuel was one of eight children born to Nahor (Abraham's brother) by his wife Milcah. This verse introduces Rebekah as part of Abraham's extended family, thereby establishing her lineage as a suitable, divinely prepared matriarch for the continuing covenant line through Isaac, her future husband.

Genesis 22 23 Context

Genesis chapter 22 recounts the profoundly challenging test of Abraham's faith, famously known as the Akedah, or the binding of Isaac. In this pivotal event, Abraham demonstrated his absolute trust and obedience to God by willingly offering his beloved son of promise as a sacrifice. Following Abraham's faithfulness, God not only spared Isaac but powerfully re-affirmed His covenant promises, assuring Abraham that his descendants would multiply immensely and through his "seed" all nations would be blessed (Gen 22:15-18).

Immediately after this momentous spiritual victory and renewed divine promise, the narrative shifts to this genealogical record concerning Nahor's family. Verses 20-22 detail Nahor and Milcah's children, and verse 23 culminates this list by specifically mentioning Bethuel's daughter, Rebekah. This placement is strategically significant. It reassures the reader that despite the extreme test involving Isaac's life, God is already making divine provision for the next generation's matriarch, from whom Isaac's descendants will proceed, thus ensuring the continuity and fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. It provides a direct familial link to the divinely chosen lineage.

Culturally, in the ancient Near East, lineage and kinship were paramount. Marriages were often arranged within extended family circles (endogamy) to maintain social status, protect wealth, and ensure the purity of descent. For the Abrahamic covenant, the meticulous tracing of genealogy, as seen here with Rebekah, underscores the specific and set-apart nature of God's chosen people, preserving the Messianic line distinct from the surrounding Canaanite nations.

Genesis 22 23 Word Analysis

• And Bethuel (וּבְתוּאֵל, u·ve·thu·'el): The conjunction "and" links Bethuel directly to the list of Nahor's other sons mentioned in the preceding verses. Bethuel (בְּתוּאֵל) potentially means "man of God" or "house of God," which, regardless of his personal character, prophetically points to his essential, divinely ordained role in God's redemptive plan through his daughter, Rebekah. His inclusion among Nahor's known sons confirms his place in Abraham's kin.

• begat (יָלַד, yalad): This fundamental Hebrew verb denotes "to give birth" or "to beget," indicating a direct and legitimate line of descent. Its consistent use throughout biblical genealogies (e.g., Gen 5, Gen 11, Matt 1) highlights the divine preservation and precise tracing of generations, crucial for the unfolding of God's covenant promises, especially leading to the Messiah.

• Rebekah (רִבְקָה, Rivkah): The central figure introduced in this verse. Her name is possibly related to a root meaning "to tie" or "to bind fast," which some interpreters see as alluding to her role in solidifying the covenant line, or her captivating beauty later described. Her pre-emptive introduction here, before her meeting with Isaac in Gen 24, signifies divine providence, assuring the continuation of the seed of promise through her.

• these eight (אֶת־שְׁמֹנַת אֵלֶּה, 'et shĕmōnat 'el-leh): This phrase explicitly refers to the eight sons of Nahor listed by Milcah in Gen 22:21-22: Uz, Buz, Kemuel, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. This summation serves as a final, definitive tally of this specific branch of Terah's family through Nahor and Milcah, reinforcing the meticulous record-keeping characteristic of biblical genealogies that are foundational to the identity and heritage of God's chosen people.

• Milcah (מִלְכָּה, Milkah): Her name means "queen" or "counsel." She is identified in Gen 11:29 as the daughter of Haran (Abraham's deceased brother), making her Nahor's niece and wife. This "niece-marriage" pattern was a common form of endogamy in patriarchal times, preserving family lines and wealth. Her named role as the mother who bore these children underscores her importance in the lineage.

• did bear to Nahor (יָלְדָה לְנָחוֹר, yāldāh lĕNāchōr): This phrase emphatically identifies Nahor as the biological father and Milcah as the mother, emphasizing direct parentage within a clearly defined family structure. It affirms the patriarchal framework where the father's line dictates family identity. Nahor (נָחוֹר) is Abraham's brother (son of Terah, Gen 11:26), solidifying Rebekah's blood relationship to the family line destined for the covenant.

• Abraham's brother (אֲחִי אַבְרָהָם, 'ăḥî 'Avrāhām): This critical qualifier establishes Rebekah's direct connection to Abraham's kin. This relationship is crucial for Abraham's directive to his servant in Gen 24 to find Isaac a wife from his own people, ensuring that the heir to the covenant promise maintains a distinct and pure heritage, separated from the surrounding idolatrous nations.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • Bethuel begat Rebekah: This brief statement is the direct and primary genealogical connection in the verse. It confirms Rebekah's rightful place in this family line, legitimizing her descent from Abraham's immediate kin through his brother.
  • these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor: This serves as a concluding summary for the genealogical section (Gen 22:20-23). It efficiently closes the account of Nahor and Milcah's offspring, affirming their fertility and establishing the breadth of their family, within which Bethuel, and thus Rebekah, is situated.
  • Nahor, Abraham's brother: This crucial phrase provides the anchor to the overarching Abrahamic narrative. It emphasizes that Rebekah belongs to Abraham's inner circle of kindred, fulfilling the cultural and spiritual expectation that the covenant seed be kept distinct and pure within the family.

Genesis 22 23 Bonus Section

• The immediate inclusion of this genealogy after the "Akedah" (Binding of Isaac) marks a divine pivot from the theme of a near-loss of the seed to the assurance of its multiplication and continuation. It visually represents God's swift provision for life and legacy following a moment of profound trial and near-death.
• This verse provides crucial information for the subsequent narrative in Genesis 24, where Abraham's servant is dispatched to find Isaac a wife from "my country, and to my kindred." The detailed family tree in Gen 22:20-23 identifies the specific lineage in Haran (Padan-aram) where such a kinswoman could be found, highlighting God's pre-arranged plan.
• The meticulous detailing of Nahor's descendants through Milcah (and other concubines mentioned elsewhere), while only one branch ultimately connects to the main covenant line, underscores the breadth of Abraham's immediate family but also isolates the particular line God has chosen. This highlights God's sovereign election within the wider family.
• While names like Bethuel and Rebekah might seem common, their specific mention in this divine narrative elevates them to crucial roles within God's unfolding purpose for humanity. It exemplifies how seemingly ordinary individuals can become pivotal figures in God's grand plan for redemption.

Genesis 22 23 Commentary

Genesis 22:23 is far more than a simple genealogical footnote; it is a profoundly significant verse strategically placed by divine wisdom immediately after Abraham's profound act of faith at the binding of Isaac. Following Abraham's willingness to sacrifice the son of promise, and God's powerful re-affirmation of the covenant, this verse provides divine assurance and prophetic foresight. It reveals God's meticulous providence, immediately bringing forth from Abraham's extended family the very individual, Rebekah, who would become Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob, thus ensuring the continuity of the covenant lineage.

This pre-emptive revelation of Rebekah's family demonstrates God's sovereignty and His unfailing faithfulness in orchestrating events for the fulfillment of His promises, even before the human participants are aware of the full plan. It illustrates that God is actively working behind the scenes, providing for the chosen line. The specific detailing of her lineage to Nahor, Abraham's brother, also highlights the emphasis on family purity and distinctness, critical for preserving the integrity of the Messianic line which would eventually culminate in Jesus Christ. Thus, what appears as a mere detail of lineage is, in fact, a powerful testament to God's foresight, faithfulness, and His careful orchestration of salvation history.