Genesis 24 28 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

Genesis 24:28 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.

Genesis 24:28 kjv

And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.

Genesis 24:28 nkjv

So the young woman ran and told her mother's household these things.

Genesis 24:28 niv

The young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things.

Genesis 24:28 esv

Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things.

Genesis 24:28 nlt

The young woman ran home to tell her family everything that had happened.

Genesis 24 28 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
Gen 2:18	And the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."	The original divine intent for marriage.
Gen 24:7	"The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house... He will send his angel before you..."	God's direct guidance in seeking a spouse.
Gen 24:40	"...The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you..."	Divine Providence in a marriage quest.
Gen 24:50	Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from the LORD..."	Family acknowledging divine hand.
Gen 29:18	Jacob loved Rachel. So he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."	Example of familial agreement in marriage.
Num 36:6	"This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad..."	Regulations on marriage within tribal lines.
Deut 7:3	You shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons.	Prohibition of intermarriage.
Deut 24:1	"When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes..."	Laws concerning marriage and divorce.
Prov 18:22	He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.	Blessings of a good spouse.
Prov 31:10	A-woman-of-valor, who can find? For her price is far above corals.	Describes an ideal wife/matriarch.
Prov 31:26-27	She opens her mouth with wisdom... she watches over the ways of her household...	Illustrates woman's role in her home.
Ruth 4:10-12	Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired to be my wife...	A marital covenant established within family.
1 Sam 9:11-12	As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women going out to draw water and said to them...	Women's routine task of drawing water, common place for meetings.
Isa 52:7	How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...	Theme of messenger bearing good news.
Luke 1:39-40	Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste... to Elizabeth's house.	Swift action upon receiving significant news.
Luke 2:16-17	And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.	Prompt response to extraordinary news.
Luke 24:9-10	They returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.	Women as first messengers of good news.
1 Cor 7:36-38	If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his virgin daughter...	Parental role in daughters' marriage decisions.
1 Tim 2:9-10	Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty...	Encourages modest and good conduct.
Heb 4:11	Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall...	Emphasizes the importance of diligent action.

Genesis 24 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

Genesis 24 28 meaning

Genesis 24:28 details Rebekah's swift action in relaying crucial information about her encounter with Abraham's servant. It shows her enthusiasm and promptness in communicating the significant events, including the gifts she received and the servant's proposition, to her immediate female relatives within her family unit, specifically her "mother's household." This rapid report sets in motion the process of family inquiry and eventual decision regarding the proposed marriage alliance between Isaac and Rebekah, highlighting her active role and the familial involvement required in ancient Near Eastern betrothal customs.

Genesis 24 28 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission to find a suitable wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham sends his most trusted servant (traditionally Eliezer) back to his homeland, Mesopotamia, to ensure Isaac does not marry a Canaanite woman. The narrative emphasizes divine providence guiding the servant, leading him directly to Rebekah at the well, a traditional site for important encounters. After confirming her identity as Abraham's kinswoman and receiving the sign from God through her generosity, the servant bestows valuable gifts upon her. Verse 28 serves as the immediate turning point where the information leaves the private encounter between Rebekah and the servant and enters the familial sphere, paving the way for formal negotiations and the eventual betrothal, reflecting the patriarchal society's customs where familial consent was paramount in marriage.

Genesis 24 28 Word analysis

Then (וַתָּ֙רׇץ֙ - wa-tarotz): A waw-conversive (connecting and consequential) attached to the verb rutS meaning "to run." This immediately indicates a swift and direct action following the events at the well. It conveys Rebekah's eagerness and urgency to share the momentous news. Her "running" emphasizes her spirited and proactive nature, a character trait that will continue to be displayed.
the young woman (הַֽנַּעֲרָה֙ - haNa'arah): The definite article ha- identifies her specifically as "the maiden" or "the young woman," referring to Rebekah. Na'arah describes an unmarried young woman, typically in her pre-marriage stage. Her youth signifies eligibility and freshness, vital for the future matriarch.
ran (וַתָּ֙רׇץ֙ - wa-tarotz): Reinforces the preceding "Then," emphasizing the rapid physical movement. It implies excitement, joy, or an urgent desire to disclose the surprising and significant developments.
and told (וַתַּגֵּ֞ד - wa-taged): From the root nagad, meaning "to make known," "report," or "declare." This is an active and deliberate communication. It's not a casual whisper but an announcement, highlighting the weight of the information she carries.
her mother's household (בֵּ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ - bet 'immah): Bayit means "house" or "household," and immah is "her mother." In ancient Israel and the wider ancient Near East, the "mother's household" was a significant unit within the larger family. This specific address for reporting indicates the key role of the matriarch and the female side of the family in domestic affairs, especially regarding a daughter's marriage. Women often played a significant role in assessing a potential suitor, his family, and the suitability of the gifts, before the men engaged in formal negotiation. This would involve aunts, sisters, and the mother, functioning as an internal consultative body.
about these things (אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה - et-haddevarim ha'elleh): Davar means "word," "thing," "matter," or "affair." The definite plural haddevarim ha'elleh refers to the entirety of the incident at the well: the servant's appearance, his identity as a servant of Abraham, his prayer for divine guidance, Rebekah's hospitality, and critically, the significant gifts she received (nose ring and bracelets) which served as concrete proof and an earnest of the servant's master's wealth and intent. This phrase succinctly covers all the astounding developments she just experienced.

Genesis 24 28 Bonus section

The designation "her mother's household" (בֵּ֣ית אִמָּ֑הּ) in this context is culturally significant. While Bethuel, Rebekah's father, is the patriarchal head of the house and ultimately makes the final decision for marriage, it was often the matriarchs who managed the domestic sphere, including daughters' preparations for marriage and the initial vetting of potential suitors. The valuable gifts received by Rebekah would likely be examined by her mother and other women, as a tangible indication of the suitor's status and serious intent, before being presented to the male head of the family for formal negotiations. This highlights the respected, though sometimes unseen, influence of women in family decisions in ancient societies, especially concerning marriage and inheritance.

Genesis 24 28 Commentary

Rebekah's immediate action in Genesis 24:28 is more than a simple act of reporting; it's a critical narrative juncture. Her running signifies enthusiasm and the weight of the news, portraying her as proactive and engaged, not passive. The specificity of her reporting to "her mother's household" underscores the ancient cultural practice where women, particularly the mother, played a crucial role in evaluating marriage proposals and discerning a daughter's suitability and prospects within the larger family structure. This initial female assessment was often a precursor to formal patriarchal discussions. This seemingly minor verse thus showcases Rebekah's character—swift, observant, and dutiful—while initiating the necessary family discourse that would lead to one of the most significant betrothals in biblical history, divinely orchestrated yet requiring human initiative.