Genesis 24:60 kjv

And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

Genesis 24:60 nkjv

And they blessed Rebekah and said to her: "Our sister, may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them."

Genesis 24:60 niv

And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies."

Genesis 24:60 esv

And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!"

Genesis 24:60 nlt

They gave her this blessing as she parted: "Our sister, may you become
the mother of many millions!
May your descendants be strong
and conquer the cities of their enemies."

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 60 Meaning

Genesis 24:60 presents Rebekah's family blessing her before she departs to become Isaac's wife. This blessing encompasses two profound wishes: first, an abundance of descendants, symbolizing an exceedingly numerous posterity ("thousands upon thousands"). Second, a promise of power and dominion, expressed as her offspring ("seed") triumphing over their adversaries, literally "possessing the gate of those who hate them," signifying strategic victory and authority over enemy strongholds. It connects Rebekah's role directly to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises of multiplying Abraham's descendants and granting them victory.

Genesis 24 60 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's careful arrangement for Isaac's marriage. Abraham, recognizing God's covenant promises regarding his descendants and the land of Canaan, sought a wife for Isaac from his own kindred in Paddan-Aram, explicitly avoiding a Canaanite wife who might compromise the purity of the promised lineage. The chapter emphasizes God's divine providence, guiding Abraham's servant directly to Rebekah through a series of confirmed signs. Rebekah's virtuous character, hospitality, and willingness to follow God's call (through the servant's invitation) are highlighted. Verse 60 marks the emotional and spiritual farewell from her birth family, serving as a formal benediction and entrustment of their daughter into God's providential plan and the sacred covenant line, signifying her new, crucial role in carrying forward Abraham's seed.

Genesis 24 60 Word analysis

• And they blessed (וַיְבָרֲכוּ - vay'varakhu): From the root barakh (to kneel, to bless). While this is a human blessing, it is pronounced within the divine context of Abraham's covenant, carrying a weight of solemnity and aspiration for divine favor. It's a formal and hopeful sending-off.
• Rebekah (רִבְקָה - Rivqah): The specific individual chosen by God's providence to continue Abraham's lineage. Her name's exact meaning is debated, but her role as matriarch is paramount.
• and said to her: A straightforward verb, indicating the spoken nature of the blessing.
• Our sister (אֲחֹתֵנוּ - achotenu): A term of endearment, expressing familial bond and affection. It underlines that this blessing comes from her own people.
• may you increase (תִּרְבִּי - tirbiy): From rabah, meaning to multiply, grow numerous. This verb is a direct echo of God's command and blessing to humanity in Gen 1:28 ("be fruitful and multiply") and His specific promises to Abraham and his descendants throughout Genesis regarding their overwhelming numbers.
• to thousands upon thousands (לְאַלְפֵי רְבָבָה - le'alfei rekhava): Literally "to thousands of myriads (tens of thousands)." This idiomatic phrase signifies an immeasurably vast number, stressing an exponential increase far beyond typical human understanding. It's a hyperbolic expression of immense demographic growth, looking forward to the multitudinous nation of Israel.
• and may your offspring (וְיִירַשׁ זַרְעֵךְ - ve'yirash zar'ech):
  • offspring (זֶרַע - zera'): "Seed" or "descendants." This collective noun refers to Rebekah's future generations, the covenant people of Israel, but also carries the broader Messianic implication, pointing to the singular "seed" through whom the blessing would ultimately come.
  • possess (יִירַשׁ - yirash): To inherit, take possession of, dispossess. It implies active conquest and control.
• the gate (שַׁעַר - sha'ar): A significant ancient Near Eastern symbol. The city gate was the most vital part of a city, serving as its primary defense, the place for public assembly, judicial proceedings, commercial transactions, and where community leaders gathered. It represents the city's strength, vulnerability, authority, and jurisdiction.
• of those who hate them (שֹׂנְאֵיהֶם - son'echem): Refers to enemies, adversaries, those who oppose. The "them" implies Rebekah's future descendants collectively.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, 'Our sister'": This phrase establishes the familial setting and the significance of the blessing. It's a personal, intimate expression of their wishes for her future, tying her intimately to her kin even as she leaves them.
• "'may you increase to thousands upon thousands'": This specific part of the blessing directly foretells the immense numerical growth of Israel. It elevates Rebekah's personal destiny to that of a pivotal matriarch, destined to be the mother of a vast nation, reflecting and perpetuating the Abrahamic covenant promise of countless descendants.
• "and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them!'": This powerful second clause transcends mere numbers. It is a prophetic utterance of military conquest, strategic control, and judicial authority for Rebekah's future descendants over their enemies. "Possessing the gate" encapsulates victory, security, and the ultimate establishment of their rightful dominion, echoing God's promise to Abraham in Gen 22:17, and foreshadowing Israel's conquests in the promised land and ultimately the final victory of the Messiah over all His adversaries.

Genesis 24 60 Bonus section

• The blessing on Rebekah by her family (human) mirrors the divine blessing God previously gave to Abraham, indicating that even seemingly human actions or blessings can align with and echo God's grand plan and prophetic declarations. It highlights God's providence in bringing His covenant promises to fruition through various means.
• The "gate" imagery also subtly conveys authority in justice and law-making. Possessing the gate implied control over all aspects of a city's life, including its legal and commercial systems. This foreshadows Israel's role as a nation under God's law, a source of truth and justice in the world.
• The "hating them" emphasizes the innate antagonism faced by God's chosen line from early on, setting a biblical theme of spiritual conflict that unfolds throughout the scriptures. This implies a need for divine protection and ultimate victory.
• This specific blessing served as a prayer for God's continued faithfulness and power to manifest through Rebekah's progeny, reassuring Abraham and his household that the divine promises were securely advancing through the next generation.

Genesis 24 60 Commentary

The blessing upon Rebekah in Genesis 24:60 is a pivotal moment, functioning as both a familial benediction and a divinely resonant prophecy. Her family's human utterance powerfully mirrors and reaffirms the very promises God made to Abraham regarding his seed: astonishing numerical increase and decisive victory over adversaries. Rebekah, stepping into her role as matriarch, is not just seen as a bride but as the chosen vessel for the perpetuation of the covenant line, ensuring the abundant fruitfulness necessary for a great nation to emerge. The phrase "possess the gate of those who hate them" is particularly significant, signifying comprehensive dominion, not just mere survival. It speaks to conquering cities, establishing authority, and ensuring the security and success of her descendants against all opposition. This prophetic declaration extends beyond military conquest to encompass all forms of dominion and triumph over any who would oppose the path of God's people. This human blessing is a testament to the sovereign hand of God orchestrating His plan through ordinary human interactions and customs, ensuring the continuity of His redemptive purposes, ultimately culminating in the triumph of Christ over sin and death, thereby opening the gates of heaven to His people.