Genesis 24:55 kjv

And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.

Genesis 24:55 nkjv

But her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go."

Genesis 24:55 niv

But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you may go."

Genesis 24:55 esv

Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go."

Genesis 24:55 nlt

"But we want Rebekah to stay with us at least ten days," her brother and mother said. "Then she can go."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 55 Meaning

Genesis 24:55 describes the request from Rebekah's brother, Laban, and her mother, asking Abraham's servant to allow Rebekah to remain with them for a period, specifically at least ten days, before she departed to become Isaac's wife. This reflects a natural human desire for a transitional period for farewells, emotional adjustment, and perhaps to prepare for the significant journey and new life she was embarking upon, alongside adherence to customary practices of the time regarding the departure of a bride.

Genesis 24 55 Context

Genesis chapter 24 chronicles the crucial mission of Abraham's servant to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham's kindred in Haran, to ensure the continuation of the covenant line. The chapter emphasizes divine providence, with the servant praying for guidance and Rebekah being revealed as God's chosen one through her hospitality and the familial connections. After the servant recounts his divinely guided journey, Laban and Bethuel acknowledge that "the thing comes from the LORD" (Gen 24:50) and consent to Rebekah's departure. However, amidst this spiritual affirmation, her brother and mother introduce a natural human element: a request for a short delay before her departure. This request stands between the initial consent and Rebekah's pivotal, immediate decision to go, highlighting the natural emotional tug-of-war in such a significant life change against the urgency of the divine plan. Historically, arranged marriages involved intricate negotiations and often a transition period for the bride to adjust to leaving her family permanently, a practice this request alludes to.

Genesis 24 55 Word analysis

• Her brother (וַיֹּאמֶר אָחִיהָ, wayyōʾmer ʾāḥîhā): Refers to Laban. As an older brother in patriarchal societies, Laban held a significant position of authority and protection over his sister. His later interactions with Jacob reveal his shrewd, self-interested, and calculating nature, traits that might subtly emerge even in this seemingly benevolent request for delay. His prominence over his father, Bethuel, might indicate Bethuel's advanced age or infirmity.
• and her mother (וְאִמָּהּ, wəʾimmāh): The unnamed mother of Rebekah. Her inclusion signifies the emotional and nurturing bond with her daughter, typical of the mother's role in the family. The mother's voice likely represents natural maternal affection and concern for Rebekah's welfare and her desire for a proper, emotional farewell.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, wayyōʾmer): This Hebrew verb simply means "he said" or "they said." Here, it indicates their verbalized proposal or request, a form of negotiation within the established familial framework.
• "Let the young woman" (תֵּשֵׁב הַנַּעֲרָה, tēšēb hannaʿărāh - literally "let stay the young woman"): Naʿarah denotes a young, unmarried woman or virgin, highlighting Rebekah's status and value within her family. The verb implies a gentle persuasion or request for a reprieve.
• "remain with us" (אִתָּנוּ, ʾittānū): Emphasizes their desire for her continued presence, even if only temporarily. This phrase speaks to the strength of familial bonds and the pain of impending separation in a culture where daughters often left home permanently upon marriage.
• "a while" (יָמִים, yāmîm - literally "days"): This is a general term for an unspecified period. It suggests a desire for "some days" or "a few days" to allow for emotional adjustment and preparatory tasks before her final departure.
• "at least ten days" (אוֹ עָשׂוֹר, ʾô ʿāśôr - literally "or ten"): This precise number of ten days (or a decade) introduces a specific duration into the negotiation. This could be symbolic of a complete cycle or minimum customary period for pre-marriage rituals, collecting a dowry (though less emphasized here), making final provisions, or extended goodbyes. It serves as a concrete counter-proposal to the servant's urgent desire to depart immediately.
• "after that she may go" (וְאַחַר תֵּלֵךְ, wəʾaḥar tēlēḵ - "and afterwards she shall go"): This indicates that their request is for a delay, not a refusal. They ultimately agree to her going, confirming their earlier acceptance of God's will (Gen 24:50), but wish to manage the timing according to their customs or affections.

• Words-group Analysis: "Her brother and her mother said, 'Let the young woman remain with us...'" This collective statement reveals a unified family desire, representing a balance between acknowledging divine providence and holding onto cherished family ties. It also showcases the dynamics of patriarchal family units where significant decisions, even when acknowledged as divinely ordained, still undergo human negotiation for terms and timing, especially regarding beloved female family members.
• Words-group Analysis: "remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go." This phrasing illustrates a typical ancient Near Eastern negotiation style, starting with a general request ("a while") and then specifying a minimum duration ("at least ten days"). It signifies the family's affection and reluctance to part hastily, allowing time for proper rituals or emotional closure, yet acknowledging the inevitable departure. It subtly sets the stage for the servant's and Rebekah's subsequent decisive responses.

Genesis 24 55 Bonus section

• The tension between human custom/affection and divine urgency presented in this verse foreshadows broader biblical themes of prioritizing God's will over personal preferences or earthly ties (e.g., Jesus's call for immediate discipleship in Luke 9:59-62).
• Laban's specific involvement in this verse begins his consistent presence as a negotiator in the Abrahamic narrative, particularly later with Jacob, often driven by his own self-interest. Here, his request seems more benevolent, though the underlying trait of seeking an advantage or controlling timing may be glimpsed.
• The absence of Bethuel (the father) in this specific request, compared to his involvement in Genesis 24:50, might subtly suggest his fading influence or incapacitation, elevating Laban and the mother as primary decision-makers in this emotional familial matter.
• This verse heightens the impact of Rebekah's immediate consent in Genesis 24:58. By creating a proposed delay, the narrative underscores her willingness to depart immediately, demonstrating a profound spiritual understanding and personal resolve that elevates her as a significant figure in God's covenant plan, showcasing faith beyond cultural convention.

Genesis 24 55 Commentary

Genesis 24:55 depicts a very human moment of emotional attachment and customary practice within a story overwhelmingly marked by divine leading. While Laban and Rebekah's mother had readily affirmed the divine orchestrating of Isaac's marriage to Rebekah, their natural affection prompted a request for a delay. This small negotiation, proposing "at least ten days," signifies a common desire for farewells, time for adjustment, and adherence to social customs surrounding a bride's departure. However, this delay stands in stark contrast to the urgency felt by Abraham's servant, who perceives God's swift hand in his mission, and ultimately, it is overruled by Rebekah's own unwavering, faith-filled commitment to immediate departure, emphasizing that when God's purpose is clear, human customs or even well-meaning affection must yield. This verse subtly tests the servant's patience and prepares the way for Rebekah's courageous and decisive act of faith.