Genesis 24:47 kjv

And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

Genesis 24:47 nkjv

Then I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.

Genesis 24:47 niv

"I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' "She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milkah bore to him.' "Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms,

Genesis 24:47 esv

Then I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms.

Genesis 24:47 nlt

"Then I asked, 'Whose daughter are you?' She replied, 'I am the daughter of Bethuel, and my grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.' So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 47 Meaning

Genesis 24:47 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of Rebekah's encounter with Abraham's servant. After the servant inquires about her lineage, specifically "Whose daughter are you?", and Rebekah identifies herself as "The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him," the servant proceeds to bestow a gold nose-ring upon her and two gold bracelets upon her arms. This action signifies a crucial step in the pre-nuptial arrangements, marking her as a potential bride chosen by God's leading, and solidifying her connection to Abraham's family. It underscores the servant's diligent verification of divine providence and his immediate, concrete act of formalizing the intent.

Genesis 24 47 Context

Genesis 24 details Abraham's critical mission to find a wife for his son Isaac, ensuring she comes from his own family rather than the idolatrous Canaanites. He sends his most trusted servant with a binding oath and specific instructions. The servant's journey to Mesopotamia, his fervent prayer for divine guidance at the well, and Rebekah's unexpected appearance, fulfilling the precise conditions of his prayer, establish the powerful theme of divine providence.

Verse 47 occurs at the climax of the servant's initial interaction with Rebekah. Prior to this, in verse 45, while he was still praying, Rebekah came to draw water. The servant then tested her by asking for a drink for himself and his camels (verse 46), which she readily provided. Her selfless service and kindness affirmed the sign from the Lord. Having witnessed this confirmation, the servant’s next crucial step was to ascertain her identity and lineage. Verse 47 reveals this inquiry and her answer, which confirms her connection to Abraham's brother Nahor, validating her as kin and fulfilling Abraham's directive. The immediate act of giving the valuable gifts then follows as a direct result of this confirmation, sealing the servant's belief that he had found the chosen bride for Isaac, according to God's will.

Historically and culturally, arranged marriages were common, and gifts played a vital role in betrothal processes in the Ancient Near East. The exchange of gifts signified commitment, family alliance, and the value placed upon the prospective bride. Abraham's servant acting on his master's behalf, without Isaac present, was also a standard practice for significant negotiations. This practice also stands as an implicit contrast to potential Canaanite customs that might have involved abduction or less formalized marriage arrangements.

Genesis 24 47 Word analysis

• Then I asked her (וָאֶשְׁאַל אֹתָהּ, va’eshal otah):

  • Then: Signifies the immediate progression of events, the logical next step after Rebekah's acts of kindness.
  • I asked her: The servant's initiative in direct questioning. He verifies lineage and status, crucial steps in ancient marriage arrangements. This isn't just curiosity but a strategic inquiry linked to his mission.

• 'Whose daughter are you?' (מִי אַתְּ בַּת־מִי אַתְּ, mi att bat-mi att):

  • Whose daughter: The repetition "mi att bat-mi att" emphasizes the crucial nature of this inquiry. Ascertaining lineage was paramount in ancient Near Eastern society, especially for marriage and property rights. It linked an individual to a clan and its history. This was a "final check" on the servant's divinely-led choice.

• She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.' (וַתֹּאמֶר בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל בֶּן־נָחוֹר אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה־לֹּו מִלְכָּה, vatomer bat-Betu'el ben-Naḥor asher yaleda-lo Milkah):

  • Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him: This precise genealogy confirms Rebekah's identity as a grand-niece of Abraham, making her kin, as per Abraham's strict instruction to the servant (Gen 24:3-4). Milcah was Nahor's wife (Gen 11:29), validating her as coming from the intended family branch. This response is the complete affirmation the servant needed, sealing his conviction of God's leading.

• So I put the ring on her nose (וָאָשִׂם הַנֶּזֶם עַל־אַפָּהּ, va'asim hannezem al-apah):

  • So I put: A decisive, immediate action following the lineage confirmation. This act signifies formal intent.
  • The ring (הַנֶּזֶם, hannezem): Generally a nose-ring (e.g., Exod 32:2, Isa 3:21). Often made of gold (as confirmed in Gen 24:22 for this instance), it was a highly valuable personal adornment in the ancient world, signifying wealth, status, and in this context, part of a betrothal gift or "mohar" (bride price). It was a mark of the husband's provision and the bride's belonging.
  • On her nose: This was a common placement for such an ornament, signifying an honorable position.
  • Significance: This gift marked Rebekah as 'taken' or set apart for Isaac, before any formal engagement or marriage ceremony. It demonstrated the servant's seriousness and the wealth of Abraham, thus her future position within the family. This could also be a form of pledge or "earnest money," like a modern engagement ring.

• and the bracelets on her arms. (וְהַצְּמִידִים עַל־יָדֶיהָ, vehatzmidim al-yadeiha):

  • The bracelets (וְהַצְּמִידִים, vehatzmidim): Armlets or wristbands, also valuable items, complementing the nose-ring. In Gen 24:22, these were also gold and substantial (ten shekels of gold).
  • On her arms: Common placement for these ornaments.
  • Significance: Together, the nose-ring and bracelets symbolized adornment, honor, and wealth. These substantial gifts served multiple purposes: to honor Rebekah, to demonstrate the great wealth of Abraham, and to publicly signify a claim or a formal stage in the betrothal process. In Ancient Near East culture, such prominent gifts were a public declaration of the bond being forged between the two families and an indication of the husband-to-be's capacity to provide.

Words-Group analysis:

• "Then I asked her, 'Whose daughter are you?'": This phrase highlights the servant's methodical approach. He doesn't act impulsively but ensures the divine sign is coupled with factual, familial verification before proceeding further. This systematic vetting underscores the importance of the mission.
• "She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.'": This is the moment of definitive confirmation for the servant. It is the direct link to Abraham's kindred as commanded (Gen 24:4). This genealogy is not mere background information; it is the absolute confirmation of God's detailed guidance and the immediate impetus for the next actions.
• "So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms.": This is the action of claim and pledge. These gifts were not simply pleasantries but substantial symbols of commitment and identification. They marked Rebekah as Abraham's chosen bride for Isaac, visible to all and cementing the pre-marital bond. In a symbolic sense, it anticipates God's adornment of His people as a treasured possession (e.g., Ezek 16:11-12).

Genesis 24 47 Bonus section

The account in Gen 24 emphasizes that divine providence does not negate human diligence. The servant did not just passively wait but actively prayed, observed, and then questioned, verifying details precisely before acting. The nose-ring (nezzem) and bracelets (tzemidim) mentioned here were likely the very valuable items listed in Gen 24:22, a gold nose-ring weighing a half shekel (about 0.2 ounces, though its value derived from gold) and two bracelets weighing ten shekels of gold (about 4 ounces). This indicates a significant transfer of wealth, establishing Rebekah's esteemed position from the onset and securing her in a practical sense. Such a visible display of valuable jewelry also implicitly carried a polemical weight: Abraham's lineage, under divine blessing, was clearly prosperous and honor-bound, distinct from potentially poorer or less structured communities. The prompt action of "putting on" these gifts before explicit verbal agreement from Rebekah or her family suggests a cultural understanding that such valuable adornment constituted a significant claim and pledge of intent in itself. This account offers a profound biblical example of prayerful dependence combined with practical wisdom in fulfilling God's will.

Genesis 24 47 Commentary

Genesis 24:47 provides a concise yet profound snapshot of divinely orchestrated events and human responsiveness. The servant’s specific inquiry and Rebekah’s precise lineage response are crucial. This moment affirms that the woman God had designated was indeed of Abraham's extended family, thereby fulfilling Abraham's clear instructions. The subsequent bestowal of a costly nose-ring and bracelets serves multiple purposes: it publicly identifies Rebekah as potentially chosen for Isaac, demonstrates Abraham’s immense wealth and generosity, and acts as a tangible sign of the pre-nuptial commitment, even before direct consent from Rebekah or her family. These gifts, specifically a gold nose-ring (nezzem) and two gold bracelets (tzemidim), were highly prized personal ornaments. Their immediate presentation marks a critical, symbolic turning point in the betrothal process, signifying her value and the seriousness of the proposal from Abraham's household. It is a moment of divine faithfulness met by obedient action.

• Example 1: Just as the servant, certain of God's guidance, made a public commitment through gifts, believers today are called to publicly affirm their commitment to Christ through actions like baptism or consistent service, embodying the "gifts" of grace received.
• Example 2: The specific identification of Rebekah by lineage highlights God's particularity in His plans. In our own lives, recognizing the specific, often minute, details of God's leading can affirm His intimate involvement and provision for our journeys.