Genesis 24:15 kjv

And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

Genesis 24:15 nkjv

And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.

Genesis 24:15 niv

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor.

Genesis 24:15 esv

Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder.

Genesis 24:15 nlt

Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham's brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 15 Meaning

Genesis 24:15 records the immediate and precise answer to Abraham's servant's prayer, introducing Rebekah. It emphasizes the divinely orchestrated timing of her arrival, identifying her lineage to confirm her as the intended bride from Abraham's kin, and describing her simple act of drawing water, which was the very sign the servant had requested. This moment highlights God's swift providence in guiding events and individuals to fulfill His covenant purposes.

Genesis 24 15 Context

This verse is part of a pivotal narrative in Genesis 24, where Abraham, at old age, sends his most trusted servant to his homeland in Mesopotamia to find a wife for his son Isaac, specifically from his own family rather than from the Canaanite women. Abraham has secured a promise from the servant that he will not take Isaac back to that land, emphasizing the importance of the land promised to his descendants.

The servant, upon arriving at Nahor's city, demonstrates profound dependence on God by praying at a well for a specific sign: that the woman destined for Isaac would not only offer him water but also offer to water his camels, showing generosity and industriousness. Genesis 24:15 follows immediately after this prayer, indicating a miraculously swift and direct divine answer. The verse, therefore, marks the dramatic moment of introduction, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's plan for Isaac and, by extension, for the continuation of Abraham's promised lineage. The detailed description of Rebekah and her actions underscores the providential nature of the encounter, demonstrating God's direct involvement in the minute details of the lives of His covenant people.

Genesis 24 15 Word analysis

• Before he had finished speaking (Hebrew: ṭerem killâh l'dabbêr): This phrase emphasizes the astonishing immediacy of God's answer. It highlights divine omniscience and omnipotence – God knew the servant's request even before he completed articulating it, and He acted instantly. This speaks to God's attentiveness to the prayers of His people and His precise timing.
• behold (Hebrew: hinnêh): This interjection often signifies a sudden, striking, or significant appearance or event. Here, it signals the immediate, visual manifestation of the servant's prayer being answered, underscoring the miraculous and direct nature of the divine intervention.
• Rebekah (Hebrew: Ribqâh): The name is pronounced Rivkah in Hebrew and its exact meaning is debated, though possibilities include "enchanting," "binder," or "noose," perhaps suggesting her captivating presence or her role in "binding" or uniting two families. She is the chosen vessel for the continuation of the covenant lineage.
• who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother: This detailed genealogical description is crucial. It confirms that Rebekah is indeed from Abraham's extended family, specifically the offspring of his brother Nahor through his wife Milcah (as mentioned in Gen 11:29). This fulfills Abraham's command that Isaac's wife should come from his kin, preserving the distinct identity of the covenant line and avoiding intermarriage with the Canaanites, thereby maintaining the purity of the promise. It underscores God's meticulous care in fulfilling specific instructions.
• came out (Hebrew: yōtse'et): Suggests an active and public appearance from within the city walls to the well, which was a central gathering place outside the settlement. Her initiative in coming to draw water is highlighted.
• with her water jar (Hebrew: kaddah): A kad was a pottery vessel, likely of considerable size, designed for carrying water from a well or spring. Its presence is vital because it signifies her readiness to perform the very act the servant requested – drawing water.
• on her shoulder (Hebrew: ‘al shikhmah): Indicates the practical manner in which she carried the jar. It points to her being prepared for the physical labor involved in daily life, suggesting an industrious and capable young woman, further aligning with the servant's hoped-for qualities in Isaac's future wife.

Genesis 24 15 Bonus section

The "meeting at the well" is a recurring motif in biblical narratives, often serving as a place of divine appointment, particularly for significant encounters related to marriage or the establishment of new covenantal relationships. Examples include Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 24), Jacob and Rachel (Gen 29), Moses and Zipporah (Ex 2), and Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (Jn 4). In each instance, the well is a point of departure for a new spiritual journey or a deepening of understanding, symbolizing a source of life and provision, where human need meets divine provision. The emphasis on Rebekah's diligent act of drawing water also foreshadows her industrious and hospitable character which will be revealed further in the narrative.

Genesis 24 15 Commentary

Genesis 24:15 is a magnificent display of divine providence and precise timing. It is the direct and unmistakable answer to Abraham's servant's specific, faith-filled prayer. The immediacy ("Before he had finished speaking") serves as a powerful testament to God's attentive ear and prompt action in the affairs of His people. The inclusion of Rebekah's full genealogy immediately validates her identity as a fitting candidate according to Abraham's desires, connecting her to the very lineage God had blessed. Her simple act of coming out to draw water, an ordinary daily chore, becomes extraordinary when viewed through the lens of divine orchestration, perfectly setting the stage for the specific test the servant intended to perform. This verse establishes Rebekah's introduction not as mere coincidence, but as a deliberate act of God's covenant faithfulness, guiding human choices and circumstances towards His overarching redemptive plan for Abraham's descendants and, ultimately, for all nations through them. This entire account reassures believers that God cares about the smallest details of their lives and will faithfully direct their paths when they seek His will through prayer.