Genesis 24:45 kjv

And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.

Genesis 24:45 nkjv

"But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, 'Please let me drink.'

Genesis 24:45 niv

"Before I finished praying in my heart, Rebekah came out, with her jar on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water, and I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'

Genesis 24:45 esv

"Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, 'Please let me drink.'

Genesis 24:45 nlt

"Before I had finished praying in my heart, I saw Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.'

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 45 Meaning

Gen 24:45 portrays the striking immediacy of God's response to Abraham's servant's prayer. Even before his heartfelt petition was complete, the divinely chosen woman, Rebekah, appeared and performed the precise actions he had requested as a sign, confirming God's providential guidance in fulfilling Abraham's mission to find a bride for Isaac.

Genesis 24 45 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details the critical mission of Abraham's servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham, deeply committed to preserving the purity of his lineage and the covenant promise, made his chief servant swear an oath not to take a wife for Isaac from the local Canaanites but from Abraham's own country and relatives. The servant, with ten camels laden with gifts, traveled to Mesopotamia. Upon reaching Nahor's city, he paused at a well and prayed a highly specific prayer: that the woman destined for Isaac would offer not only himself a drink but also water for his camels. This verse (Gen 24:45) directly follows this prayer, highlighting God's immediate and exact fulfillment of the servant's petition, signifying divine approval and guidance.

Genesis 24 45 Word analysis

• Before I had finished speaking: (Hebrew: Terem akhalle ledaber - טֶרֶם אֲכַלֶּה לְדַבֵּר)

  • Terem (טֶרֶם): "Before yet," "not yet," "ere." Implies an event occurring just prior to, or at the very moment of, the completion of another action. Highlights instantaneousness.
  • Akhalle (אֲכַלֶּה): "I had finished," from kalah (כָּלָה) meaning to complete, accomplish, bring to an end. It stresses the near completion of the prayer, not its end.
  • Ledaber (לְדַבֵּר): "to speak," from davar (דָּבָר) referring to words, speech, or to speak.
  • Significance: This phrase powerfully underscores the miraculous timing and God's sovereign hand. It wasn't that the servant finished and then Rebekah appeared; she was already fulfilling the conditions of the prayer even as the words were forming in his heart, demonstrating divine foreknowledge and immediate response. This highlights God's attentiveness to His children's prayers and His active involvement in human affairs.

• in my heart: (Hebrew: bilvavi - בִּלְבָבִי)

  • Bilvavi: From lev (לֵב), meaning "heart," "mind," "inner being." The prefix bi- means "in" or "within," and the suffix -i denotes "my."
  • Significance: This indicates a deeply personal, perhaps silent, prayer that emerged from his earnest reflection and desire to succeed in his master's mission. It wasn't a performance but a genuine plea from his innermost being. God hears prayers of the heart, not just spoken words (1 Sam 1:13).

• behold: (Hebrew: hinneh - הִנֵּה)

  • Hinneh: An emphatic interjection meaning "look!", "see!", "lo!" or "indeed!"
  • Significance: Used to draw immediate attention to something striking, sudden, or significant. In biblical narrative, it often signals a divine appearance or a pivotal moment. Here, it marks the extraordinary and immediate manifestation of God's answer to prayer.

• Rebekah came out:

  • Significance: This is the crucial moment. Her appearance is precisely synchronized with the servant's petition. It wasn't just anyone, but Rebekah, whom God had destined. It demonstrates God’s preparation of circumstances and individuals.

• with her water jar on her shoulder:

  • Significance: This detail immediately connects her to the common activity expected of women at a well – drawing water. It signals her readiness to fulfill the conditions of the servant's prayer: not only was she present, but she was equipped to perform the act of offering water. This also provides cultural insight into the daily lives of women in that era, where fetching water was a vital task.

• and she went down to the spring and drew water:

  • Significance: These actions confirm her character as a diligent and capable woman, engaged in the very act necessary for the servant's prayer to be answered. This prepares the stage for the next crucial interactions where she indeed offers water generously. The "spring" indicates a source of fresh, flowing water, a blessing in arid regions.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Before I had finished speaking in my heart": This phrase highlights God's prior knowledge and readiness to act. It indicates that God is not bound by human timelines; His plans are often set in motion even before our full awareness or articulation. It shows the incredible grace and swiftness of His divine intervention, often answering not merely our words, but the deep longing and trust of our heart (Psa 139:4).
  • "behold, Rebekah came out": This pairing emphasizes the dramatic and providential nature of the event. It's a divinely orchestrated "moment" where an ordinary action takes on extraordinary significance due to its precise timing with prayer.
  • "with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water": These descriptions paint a vivid picture of Rebekah fulfilling the very criteria requested. It signifies that God often uses ordinary means and daily tasks to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, making the seemingly mundane divinely significant. Her presence at the water source, equipped for the task, was key to fulfilling the specific sign requested.

Genesis 24 45 Bonus section

The immediate nature of God's answer in this verse highlights a principle that God sometimes answers before the full prayer is even verbalized or completed. This is not because our prayers are imperfect, but because God, being omniscient, knows our needs and heart's desires even before we express them. It signifies God's incredible forethought and readiness to act on behalf of those who seek Him. This incident further demonstrates how God confirms His leading through specific, verifiable signs when sought with sincere faith. The "sign" was a character test (hospitality, generosity, diligence), showing God answers through aligning character and circumstances.

Genesis 24 45 Commentary

Genesis 24:45 is a profound testimony to the intimacy of God's relationship with His people and His direct involvement in their lives, especially when they seek His will earnestly. It is a stunning display of divine providence and promptness. The servant’s prayer was specific, reflecting faith that God could identify and direct the perfect woman to him. The verse strikingly emphasizes that God’s response was not delayed; it materialized before the servant even completed his inner plea. This pre-emptive, immediate answer underscores that God's plan was already in motion.

Rebekah’s sudden appearance, equipped and acting precisely as prayed for, served as an unmistakable sign. This incident confirms that when we pray in faith according to God’s will, He often answers with overwhelming clarity, providing undeniable confirmation that it is indeed His hand at work. It assures us that God hears not only our uttered words but also the deepest intentions and needs of our hearts. The episode encourages believers to pray with boldness and specific requests, trusting in a God who not only hears but actively intervenes and orchestrates circumstances to fulfill His purposes.