Genesis 24:59 kjv

And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

Genesis 24:59 nkjv

So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men.

Genesis 24:59 niv

So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men.

Genesis 24:59 esv

So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men.

Genesis 24:59 nlt

So they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent her away with Abraham's servant and his men. The woman who had been Rebekah's childhood nurse went along with her.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 59 Meaning

Genesis 24:59 describes the moment when Rebekah's family, having consented to her marriage to Isaac, officially sent her away. It signifies the formal farewell and the commencement of her journey to Canaan, accompanied by her nurse, Abraham's trusted servant Eliezer, and his retinue. This verse marks a pivotal transition, highlighting Rebekah's separation from her original family and her commitment to a new life and lineage chosen by God.

Genesis 24 59 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's fervent desire to find a wife for his son Isaac, ensuring she would be from his own kindred and not from the Canaanites. Abraham sent his most trusted servant, Eliezer, on this significant mission. The narrative portrays God's guiding hand throughout the servant's journey and encounter with Rebekah's family in Paddan Aram. After miraculous signs confirmed Rebekah as God's choice, her family, particularly her brother Laban and mother, conceded to her marriage. Rebekah herself willingly agreed to go (Gen 24:58). This verse marks the family's official consent to her departure, acknowledging the divine providence in this momentous arranged marriage. Historically, in the ancient Near East, a bride's departure from her parental home to join her husband's family was a profound transition, often involving blessings, a retinue, and formal goodbyes, highlighting the social and familial implications of such unions.

Genesis 24 59 Word analysis

• So they sent away (וַיְשַׁלְּחוּ - wayishlekhu): The Hebrew verb shalach (שָׁלַח), in the Hiphil stem, implies an active, purposeful sending or dispatching. It indicates a formal act of farewell and relinquishment by Rebekah's family. This was not a passive separation but an intentional, customary send-off.
• Rebekah (רִבְקָה - Ribqah): The central figure of this departure, she is the bride chosen by divine providence. Her name itself holds significance, possibly meaning "to tie, bind," or "enclosure," perhaps alluding to her being "bound" to Isaac or kept for him.
• their sister (אֲחֹתָם - achotam): This highlights the deep familial bond between Rebekah and her birth family, particularly her brothers (like Laban). It underscores the emotional weight of their parting, as they formally relinquish their sister into a new life and family, expressing their care through blessings (as seen in the following verse, Gen 24:60).
• and her nurse (וְאֹמַנְתָּהּ - ve'omanntah): The presence of Rebekah's nurse (later identified as Deborah in Gen 35:8) is culturally significant. A nurse often played the role of a surrogate mother or close companion, particularly for high-status women. Her inclusion provided comfort, familiarity, and a vital link to Rebekah's past, aiding her in adapting to an entirely new environment far from her original family. This practice speaks to the care and consideration given for the bride's well-being on such a monumental journey. The word ʾōmenet (nurse) stems from ʾāman, which means "to nourish," "support," or "carry," emphasizing her role as a sustainer and trusted confidante.
• with her: Emphasizes that Rebekah was not sent alone but accompanied by those who would ensure her comfort and safe passage.
• and Abraham's servant (עֶבֶד אַבְרָהָם - 'eved Avraham): This refers to Eliezer of Damascus, the faithful steward entrusted with this critical mission. His presence signifies the fulfillment of Abraham's desire and God's promise to him, serving as the responsible escort for the future matriarch of the covenant line.
• and his men (אֲנָשָׁיו - 'anashayv): This indicates that Eliezer had a retinue or company of servants accompanying him, essential for such a long journey, providing protection, handling the camels, and managing provisions. Their presence underscored the importance and official nature of the expedition.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "So they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse with her": This phrase emphasizes the family's deliberate and complete release of Rebekah. The inclusion of the nurse underscores the provision for Rebekah's physical and emotional comfort and support during this life-altering transition. It reflects the customary care and responsibility taken by the bride's family in the patriarchal period to ensure her well-being in her new home, acknowledging the deep bond the nurse held.
• "and Abraham's servant, and his men": This grouping highlights the completeness of the envoy accompanying Rebekah. It affirms that the mission initiated by Abraham was concluding successfully, with the servant ready to deliver the chosen bride safely. It signifies the union of the bride's support system with the groom's representatives for the journey ahead.

Genesis 24 59 Bonus section

The narrative of Rebekah's departure sets a powerful precedent for trusting God in major life changes. Her journey across the desert with an unknown man and his retinue, guided by an unseen God, signifies a profound act of faith. The inclusion of her nurse, Deborah, offers insight into the compassionate cultural practices of the time, where a trusted caregiver served not merely as a servant but as an enduring comfort and connection to the bride's past identity as she forged a new one. The familial blessing received in the following verse (Gen 24:60) before their actual setting off further sanctifies this pivotal moment of separation and new beginning, echoing God's blessings upon those who step out in faith towards His intended path.

Genesis 24 59 Commentary

Genesis 24:59 represents the culmination of the courtship and negotiation for Isaac's marriage to Rebekah, signaling the family's final approval and formal send-off. This verse, though concise, is rich in cultural and theological significance. It demonstrates the patriarchal custom of arranged marriages alongside the critical element of personal consent (Rebekah's "I will go"). The presence of her nurse underscores the human provision for comfort and continuity during a life-altering separation from her childhood home. Spiritually, it serves as a typology for departure into a new, divinely ordained relationship. Just as Rebekah left her familiar world to enter a new covenantal family, so believers are called to leave their old ways to embrace a new identity and life in Christ. This verse highlights divine guidance and the collaborative efforts, both human and divine, in bringing about God's purposes for His covenant people. It beautifully depicts the preparation of a bride, echoing themes of the Church's preparation to meet Christ, the heavenly bridegroom.