Genesis 24 51

Genesis 24:51 kjv

Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

Genesis 24:51 nkjv

Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the LORD has spoken."

Genesis 24:51 niv

Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."

Genesis 24:51 esv

Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken."

Genesis 24:51 nlt

Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 51 meaning

This verse encapsulates the complete consent and conviction of Rebekah's family to Abraham's servant's mission. Having recognized the providential hand of God in the unfolding events, they definitively instruct the servant to take Rebekah, depart, and ensure she becomes the wife of Isaac. Their words explicitly affirm that this union is not a mere human arrangement but is decreed by the Lord, highlighting a deep submission to divine will.

Genesis 24 51 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission to find a wife for Isaac from his own kindred in Mesopotamia, not from the local Canaanites. The verse specifically follows Laban and Bethuel's acknowledgment in Gen 24:50, where they declare, "The thing proceeds from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good." This statement, coupled with their previous witness to the servant's detailed account and his generous gifts, leads them to this definitive endorsement. Historically, arranged marriages were common, often involving negotiation between families. However, the unique aspect here is the family's conviction that the divine hand was directly orchestrating this union, giving them no ground to object, thus transcending standard social negotiations and emphasizing the theological necessity for the covenantal lineage of Isaac.

Genesis 24 51 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection signifying attention or surprise. Here, it announces a definitive declaration, indicating the pivotal moment of their decision and underscoring its weight. It directs the servant's immediate focus to the readily available Rebekah.

• Rebekah (רִבְקָה - Rivqah): The specific individual chosen by God for Isaac, and by whom the covenant line would continue. Her name being called out confirms her identification and the finality of her role in this divine plan.

• is before thee (לְפָנֶיךָ - lĕfānayikā): Literally "to your face/presence." This implies her availability and readiness for the journey. It signifies the removal of any obstacles to her departure, reflecting her family's complete permission.

• take her (קַח - qach): An imperative verb meaning "take, fetch." This is a direct command from the family to the servant, granting him full authority to escort Rebekah. It highlights their absolute consent and the transfer of responsibility for her.

• and go (וָלֵךְ - walēkh): An imperative, instructing the servant to depart immediately. Coupled with "take her," it conveys the urgency and unwavering nature of their decision, eager for the divine plan to unfold without delay.

• and let her be wife (וּתְהִי לְאִשָּׁה - ūṯəhī lĕ'ishah): "Let her be" is a jussive, expressing a command or permission. It formalizes her intended status, declaring that her purpose in going is to enter into marriage. "Wife" (ishah) specifies her covenantal role within this sacred institution.

• to thy master's son (לְבֶן אֲדֹנֶיךָ - lĕven 'ădonaykā): "To the son of your master." This explicitly names Isaac as the designated groom, confirming that the servant's mission's objective is being met.

• as the Lord hath spoken (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה - ka'asher dibbēr Yahweh): This is the theological lynchpin of the verse. It asserts that the entire arrangement is the result of Yahweh's definitive and active utterance. This phrase removes the decision from human negotiation, rooting it in divine decree and confirming the family's understanding that God has directed these events. It echoes God's covenant promises, specifically regarding Abraham's offspring (Gen 17:19).

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Behold, Rebekah is before thee": This opening statement emphasizes her immediate availability and willingness. It’s a declarative opening signaling the resolution of the matter based on divine conviction.
  • "take her and go": This directive conveys the family's definitive action and full endorsement. It gives the servant the authority and blessing to complete his sacred mission, demonstrating their complete surrender to what they perceive as God's will.
  • "and let her be wife to thy master's son": This confirms the precise purpose of her journey – a covenantal marriage. It signifies the transfer of her position from her father's house to Isaac's, according to the divine purpose.
  • "as the Lord hath spoken": This crucial phrase provides the ultimate justification and authority for their decision. It transcends cultural customs, revealing that their agreement stems from the belief that God has specifically ordained this union, fulfilling His previous declarations and plans for Abraham's lineage. It shows the family's discerning spiritual recognition of God's Word at work.

Genesis 24 51 Bonus section

• Polemics against Paganism: This verse implicitly stands in stark contrast to contemporary polytheistic beliefs, where unpredictable deities or impersonal "fate" governed outcomes. Here, the recognition of "Yahweh" (the Lord) actively speaking and guiding events demonstrates a personal, faithful God who directs human affairs according to His covenant purposes.
• Rebekah's Agency: While the verse details her family's decision, it is noteworthy that Rebekah's personal consent is sought and given in Gen 24:58, showing that even within the context of arranged marriages, individual volition and choice were recognized as significant and, in this case, divinely aligned.
• Covenantal Significance: The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, prompted by divine direction and human obedience, is not merely a family event but a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity, ensuring the continuation of the line leading to the Messiah.
• Abraham's Servant's Faith: The successful fulfillment of the mission, underscored by this verse, is a testament to the servant's faithful, diligent, and prayerful seeking of God's will. His trust and dependence on the Lord throughout the journey enabled this divine outcome.

Genesis 24 51 Commentary

Genesis 24:51 marks the culmination of the arduous journey of Abraham's servant and the divine providence guiding his every step. Laban and Bethuel, initially considering delaying Rebekah's departure, express a profound understanding that this proposed marriage is not a result of human strategy or negotiation, but directly "from the Lord" (Gen 24:50). Their directive, "take her and go," combined with the explicit "as the Lord hath spoken," is a complete surrender to God's will. It signifies their active cooperation with God's overarching plan for the covenant lineage of Abraham, through whom the promised Seed would ultimately come. The verse exemplifies discerning God's hand in life's major decisions, yielding to His sovereign will, and trusting that His Word will come to pass, thus establishing the very foundations of God's people.

• Examples:
  • Discerning God's leading: This teaches us to seek and recognize God's hand in our relationships and life-altering decisions.
  • Submission to God's will: Once God's direction is clear, the verse illustrates the blessedness of immediate and wholehearted obedience.
  • Trust in God's promises: It reinforces the truth that God is faithful to His spoken Word, bringing His plans to fruition despite human complexities.