Genesis 24:24 kjv

And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

Genesis 24:24 nkjv

So she said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah's son, whom she bore to Nahor."

Genesis 24:24 niv

She answered him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milkah bore to Nahor."

Genesis 24:24 esv

She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor."

Genesis 24:24 nlt

"I am the daughter of Bethuel," she replied. "My grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 24 Meaning

Genesis 24:24 records Rebekah's concise self-identification to Abraham's servant. She declares that she is the daughter of Bethuel, and further specifies that Bethuel is the son of Milcah, who was born to Nahor. This statement is profoundly significant as it confirms her direct familial relationship to Abraham, fulfilling the servant's search for a bride from Abraham's own kindred as commanded by Abraham himself. It is the immediate, direct answer to the servant's prayer for divine guidance in identifying the correct woman.

Genesis 24 24 Context

Genesis 24 recounts Abraham's proactive effort to secure a suitable bride for his son Isaac, a crucial step for the continuation of God's covenant promises. Abraham, an old man, sends his chief servant to his homeland, Haran, instructing him not to take a wife from the Canaanites, but from his own family (Gen 24:3-4). Upon arrival at Nahor's city, near a well, the servant prays for divine guidance, asking God to reveal the destined woman by specific acts of hospitality (Gen 24:12-14). Rebekah's arrival and immediate act of watering both the servant and his camels—a significant effort—directly fulfill the servant's specific petition (Gen 24:15-20). Her spontaneous declaration in Gen 24:24 directly answers the servant's immediate follow-up question regarding her family (Gen 24:23). This scene highlights God's providence and meticulous oversight in preserving the promised lineage. The cultural context emphasizes the importance of lineage, kinship, and wells as central social hubs for meeting and communication in ancient Near Eastern nomadic and semi-nomadic life.

Genesis 24 24 Word analysis

• And she said to him (וַתֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו - va-tōʾmer ʾēlāyw): The Hebrew vayyiqtol (vav-conversive perfect) structure denotes sequential narrative action. It implies an immediate and direct response to the servant's question in the preceding verse (Gen 24:23). This quick reply demonstrates Rebekah's openness and willingness to communicate her identity.
• I am (אֲנִי - ʾănî): The explicit pronoun emphasizes self-identification. While in English, it naturally starts the sentence, its placement in Hebrew syntax further highlights her direct assertion of who she is.
• the daughter of Bethuel (בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל - bat-bəṯûʼēl):
  • בַּת (bat): Hebrew for "daughter." Signifies direct progeny.
  • בְּתוּאֵל (Bəṯûʼēl): Likely meaning "man of God" or "house of God." He is a crucial figure linking Rebekah to Abraham. His name immediately signals the kinship Abraham's servant sought.
• the son of Milcah (בֶּן־מִלְכָּה - ben-milkāh):
  • בֶּן (ben): Hebrew for "son." In this construct, it identifies Bethuel's mother. It clarifies the specific maternal lineage of Bethuel.
  • מִלְכָּה (Milkah): Meaning "Queen" or "Counsel." This name is key because Milcah is explicitly identified in Gen 11:29 and 22:20 as the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother. Her mention here confirms the precise family connection the servant needs.
• whom she bore to Nahor (אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לְנָחֹור - ʾăšer yālədâ lə-nāḥōr):
  • אֲשֶׁר (ʾăšer): Hebrew relative pronoun, "who/whom/that."
  • יָלְדָה (yālədâ): Feminine perfect form of the verb "to bear/give birth."
  • לְנָחֹור (lə-nāḥōr): The preposition l' (to/for) combined with Nahor.
  • This phrase clearly establishes Nahor as Milcah's husband and Bethuel's father, unequivocally completing the genealogical link back to Abraham's immediate family. נָחֹור (Nâḥôr), Abraham's brother (Gen 11:26), confirms the successful identification of the kin.

Genesis 24 24 Bonus section

• The naming of the mother (Milcah) and not just the father (Nahor) is culturally specific and significant, especially since Abraham's instructions implicitly referenced descent from his "father's house." Milcah being Nahor's wife, a fact already known from Gen 11 and 22, provides the indisputable proof of direct kinship.
• Rebekah's comprehensive answer goes beyond merely stating "I am Bethuel's daughter" by also detailing his parents, anticipating the servant's likely deeper inquiries and demonstrating her clear understanding of her family tree's importance in their culture.
• The sequence of events in Genesis 24—Abraham's clear instructions, the servant's specific prayer, Rebekah's actions, and her revealing answer—underscores the meticulous hand of God in fulfilling His promises, showcasing that He not only ordains the outcome but also guides the very steps of His faithful servants in minute details.

Genesis 24 24 Commentary

Genesis 24:24 is not merely a genealogical statement; it is the divinely orchestrated answer to Abraham's servant's fervent prayer and mission. Rebekah's direct, precise, and immediate self-identification, revealing her parentage through Bethuel, Milcah, and Nahor, directly validates her as Abraham's kinswoman, exactly as the servant was seeking. This verse, therefore, is the turning point where the servant realizes God has unequivocally guided him. Her forthrightness is a mark of her character, indicating qualities of openness and responsiveness, which further align with the readiness to serve she demonstrated in watering the camels. It is a testament to God's providence, showing how He precisely guides those who trust and obey Him, ensuring His covenant purposes unfold as planned, safeguarding the lineage through which the promised seed would come.