Genesis 24:22 kjv

And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;

Genesis 24:22 nkjv

So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold,

Genesis 24:22 niv

When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.

Genesis 24:22 esv

When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,

Genesis 24:22 nlt

Then at last, when the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 22 Meaning

Genesis 24:22 describes the moment Abraham's servant presented Rebekah with valuable gifts, specifically a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel and two golden bracelets weighing ten shekels. This action follows Rebekah's hospitality in providing water for the servant and his camels, and it signifies the servant's initial identification of her as potentially the woman chosen by God for Isaac, confirming his earlier prayer for a sign. These costly gifts symbolize immediate favor, substantial wealth, and were customary items of significant value exchanged in ancient Near Eastern betrothal or gift-giving leading to marriage, indicating the gravity of the servant's mission and Abraham's standing.

Genesis 24 22 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission for his trusted servant: to find a wife for his son Isaac, not from the Canaanites among whom they dwelt, but from Abraham's own people and kin. This mandate was crucial for maintaining the lineage through which God's covenant promises would pass. The servant's journey to Nahor (Mesopotamia) and his prayer for divine guidance upon arriving at the well demonstrate a profound reliance on YHWH's Providence. Rebekah's exceptionally generous response to his request for water for himself and then for all his ten camels (a demanding task) aligns perfectly with the sign the servant had prayed for. Verse 22 occurs immediately after this act of extraordinary hospitality, indicating the servant's confirmation of the divine leading before he has even confirmed Rebekah's family lineage. Historically, in the ancient Near East, wells were significant communal gathering places, and acts of hospitality there were vital. Betrothal gifts of gold and silver were common, symbolizing the prospective groom's family wealth, status, and commitment to the bride and her family. The promptness and opulence of these initial gifts would have been a clear indicator of a serious proposal from a prominent family.

Genesis 24 22 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: Standard Hebrew narrative formula, vayhi (וַיְהִי), often introduces a new, significant turn or development in the story.
• as the camels had finished drinking: Heb. kekaḇelû ha-gemalîm lištôt (כְּכַלּוֹת הַגְּמַלִּים לִשְׁתּוֹת). This phrase establishes the temporal sequence of events. The servant had waited and observed Rebekah's actions, and her complete task of watering all camels served as the confirmation of his prayer (Gen 24:14). This natural pause in action provides the moment for his next move.
• that the man: Refers to Abraham's servant. He is the active agent in this immediate next step.
• took: Heb. yikkaḥ (יִקַּח), literally "he took." This implies an intentional, decisive act on the part of the servant. He wasn't waiting for permission, but was acting on what he perceived as divine confirmation.
• a golden nose ring: Heb. neźem zahab (נֶזֶם זָהָב).
  • Nose ring (Nezem): A circlet or ring. While it could sometimes refer to an earring or even a general piece of jewelry, its primary meaning and context here points to a nose ring, a common and prominent ornament for women in the ancient Near East (e.g., Isa 3:21; Ezek 16:12).
  • Golden (Zahab): Emphasizes the value and preciousness of the item, reflecting Abraham's immense wealth bestowed by God (Gen 13:2; 24:35).
• of half a shekel weight: Heb. beqeṣa' šiqlah (בֶּקַע שִׁקְלָה).
  • Half a shekel (Beka): Beka is an ancient Hebrew unit of weight, meaning "half," referring to half a shekel. It represents a precise measurement, signifying tangible value. This particular weight for an offering is seen in Ex 30:13, where a "half-shekel" was commanded for the census atonement money. This detail highlights the concrete and specific value of the gift.
• and two bracelets: Heb. u-šnê ṣemiḏîm (וּשְׁנֵי צְמִידִים).
  • Bracelets (Tzmidim): From a root meaning "to fasten," referring to ornaments worn on the wrist or arm, and sometimes anklets. Like the nose ring, these are items of personal adornment and significant wealth. Their duality ("two") for both hands adds to the generosity and visual impact of the gifts.
• for her hands: Heb. 'al yadeyha (עַל יָדֶיהָ). Explicitly states their intended location, distinguishing them from anklets and reinforcing their immediate visual impact.
• of ten shekels weight of gold: Heb. 'aśarah śeqālîm zahab (עֲשָׂרָה שְׁקָלִים זָהָב). A much larger weight of gold, emphasizing the considerable value and lavishness of these gifts. Ten shekels of gold would have been a significant sum, equivalent to substantial assets in that era, underlining the seriousness and prestige of Abraham's family in seeking a bride. This immense gift signals not just appreciation for hospitality but a definite proposal, initiating the formal steps toward betrothal.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Golden nose ring... of half a shekel weight and two bracelets... of ten shekels weight of gold": This detailed inventory of gifts highlights their immense value. The specific weights (half a shekel for the nose ring, ten for the bracelets) emphasize Abraham's vast wealth, which the servant freely deploys, signaling his master's sincerity and the significant status of Isaac. These are not merely trinkets but substantial assets. In ancient Near Eastern marriage customs, such gifts functioned as earnest money, initial payment, or 'bride price,' assuring the family of the groom's commitment and financial capability. More broadly, it underscores the generous blessings God bestowed upon Abraham and by extension, his lineage, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises (Gen 12:2; 24:1).

Genesis 24 22 Bonus section

• The shekel (שֶׁקֶל) was a fundamental unit of weight and currency in ancient times, commonly associated with silver. Specifying "shekels of gold" (as in this verse) indicates a much higher value. The wealth here reflects God's fulfilled promises to Abraham to make him "very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold" (Gen 13:2).
• The presentation of the nose ring before any discussion of family ties highlights the servant's conviction that the specific sign from God (Rebekah's hospitality) was enough. This speaks to the servant's deep faith and direct communication with God in his mission.
• While these gifts initiate the process, they are distinct from the full dowry given later to Rebekah's family (Gen 24:53), emphasizing a layered system of gift-giving in ancient marriage negotiations. These immediate gifts to Rebekah were perhaps mohar (a pre-marriage gift/price given by the groom to the bride or her family) or simply a personal gift, signaling intention and honoring the individual.

Genesis 24 22 Commentary

Genesis 24:22 serves as a pivotal moment, immediately following Rebekah's spontaneous and overflowing hospitality that perfectly matched the servant's specific prayer for a sign. The act of the servant giving these precious, substantial golden items is much more than mere appreciation for a drink of water; it's a profound gesture of preliminary engagement, a recognition of divine confirmation. The gifts—a nose ring and bracelets of significant weight—are both valuable personal adornments and, critically, tokens indicative of a serious marriage proposal in ancient Semitic culture. They mark the servant's confidence that Rebekah is God's chosen for Isaac.

The immense value of the gold items (ten and a half shekels of gold in total) points to Abraham's abundant wealth, a blessing from God (Gen 24:35), which is now being channeled for the very purpose of securing the promised heir's lineage. This exchange is a tangible representation of God's provident care and His precise answer to prayer. It showcases God's involvement in even the details of finding a spouse, emphasizing that God leads His people to fulfil His promises. Rebekah’s humble service earned her extravagant gifts, reflecting a spiritual truth that faithfulness and hospitality open doors to unexpected divine favor and blessing.