Genesis 24:57 kjv

And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.

Genesis 24:57 nkjv

So they said, "We will call the young woman and ask her personally."

Genesis 24:57 niv

Then they said, "Let's call the young woman and ask her about it."

Genesis 24:57 esv

They said, "Let us call the young woman and ask her."

Genesis 24:57 nlt

"Well," they said, "we'll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 57 Meaning

Genesis 24:57 describes the response of Rebekah's family to Abraham's servant's request for her immediate departure to Canaan. Having recognized the hand of God in the servant's arrival and request, they propose to directly consult Rebekah regarding her willingness to go immediately. This verse is pivotal, highlighting the surprising agency granted to a young woman in an ancient Near Eastern culture concerning her marriage and immediate future, particularly in contrast to solely parental authority. It indicates a respect for her individual will and choice in a matter of great spiritual and familial significance.

Genesis 24 57 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's meticulous efforts to secure a wife for his son Isaac from his own kin in Mesopotamia, to avoid intermarriage with the Canaanites. He sends his chief servant, Eliezar, with specific instructions and a solemn oath, promising divine assistance. The servant’s journey is remarkably guided by God, leading him directly to Rebekah at the well, where her actions confirm the servant's prayers for a sign. After confirming her kinship to Abraham, the servant enters her family's home and presents his case. Laban and Bethuel, Rebekah’s brother and father, recognize the divine hand in the proposal and consent to the marriage (Gen 24:50-51). The servant then desires to depart immediately, but the family wishes Rebekah to remain with them for some days or months (Gen 24:55). Verse 57 is their decisive response to this impasse, indicating their resolution to bring Rebekah herself into the deliberation process, moving beyond their parental consent to her personal assent.

Genesis 24 57 Word analysis

• And they said: The "they" refers collectively to Rebekah's immediate family, specifically Laban and her mother, possibly her father Bethuel too, who had already acknowledged the divine leading (Gen 24:50). This indicates a unified family decision.
• We will call: (נִקְרָ֥א, niqra) - A cohortative form in Hebrew, expressing an intention, proposal, or invitation. It signifies their active step to bring her into the discussion.
• the young woman: (הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה, hanna'arah) - This specific term refers to a "young woman" or "girl," specifically denoting a maiden who is of marriageable age but typically still under the authority of her family. The definite article "the" refers back to Rebekah, who has been central to the narrative.
• and ask her herself: (וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֥ה אֶת־פִּֽיהָ׃, venish'alah et-piha) - This is a highly significant phrase. Literally, it translates to "and we will ask her mouth." This idiom is powerful, signifying that they will seek her direct, personal, and explicit answer or declaration, allowing her a voice and decision in this monumental matter. It goes beyond a mere informal query; it suggests a formal consultation where her "mouth" (her expressed will) holds weight. In a time and culture where arranged marriages were common and women often had limited overt agency in such decisions, this willingness to seek Rebekah's direct consent is remarkably forward-thinking or at least a notable deviation, emphasizing her personal autonomy in this context.

• "they said, 'We will call the young woman'": This phrase shows the family's shift in managing the situation. They retain control over how the decision-making proceeds (by calling her) but they indicate an intention to empower Rebekah with the final word on her departure, signaling a significant concession.
• "and ask her herself": This clause underlines the critical importance of Rebekah's personal assent. The direct consultation grants her, a woman, an active role in a decision that was customary for patriarchal figures to finalize. It sets the stage for her monumental "I will go" in the subsequent verse, confirming God's providence through human choice.

Genesis 24 57 Bonus section

The request to consult Rebekah herself can be seen as an example of human respect working in tandem with divine guidance. While Laban and Bethuel had just affirmed, "The thing comes from the Lord" (Gen 24:50), they did not bypass Rebekah's individual will. This instance might indirectly underscore that even within a divinely orchestrated plan, personal volition remains relevant and can validate the process. Furthermore, the emphasis on her personal choice is crucial for the foundational story of the patriarchs; her active participation makes her a willing participant in the covenant line, setting a precedent for individual faith and decision-making within God's larger purposes for Israel. This moment also resolves the immediate tension between the servant's urgency and the family's desire for a longer stay, making her choice the determining factor.

Genesis 24 57 Commentary

Genesis 24:57 captures a pivotal moment demonstrating a unique degree of agency granted to Rebekah in her arranged marriage. Despite her family acknowledging God's hand in the proposed union, they defer the immediate departure decision to Rebekah herself. The phrase "ask her mouth" is culturally significant, indicating a formal, direct request for her personal consent, rather than merely informing her of their decision. This act showcases an exceptional respect for her individual will within the patriarchal society, elevating her status from a passive recipient to an active participant in God's redemptive plan. Her subsequent, willing "I will go" confirms this divine appointment through her free choice. This highlights God's sovereignty working through human liberty, as well as the importance of individual discernment and assent even in covenantal relationships.