Genesis 24 61

Genesis 24:61 kjv

And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Genesis 24:61 nkjv

Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

Genesis 24:61 niv

Then Rebekah and her attendants got ready and mounted the camels and went back with the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

Genesis 24:61 esv

Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.

Genesis 24:61 nlt

Then Rebekah and her servant girls mounted the camels and followed the man. So Abraham's servant took Rebekah and went on his way.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 61 meaning

Genesis 24:61 describes the decisive departure of Rebekah and her entourage from her family and homeland, signifying her complete acceptance of God's providentially arranged marriage to Isaac. Accompanied by her maids and riding on camels, she proactively follows Abraham's servant, who represents divine guidance, thus embarking on her journey to meet her unknown husband and fulfill her role in the lineage of the promised seed. This verse marks a pivotal moment of transition and commitment.

Genesis 24 61 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's fervent desire to find a wife for his son Isaac, ensuring she comes from his own people and family, thereby preserving the covenant lineage. He sends his most trusted servant on this crucial mission, extracting a solemn oath to secure a wife from Mesopotamia and not Canaan. The servant arrives at Nahor, where, after a prayer for divine guidance, he encounters Rebekah at the well. Her actions align perfectly with the signs he sought. After confirmation of her family and an invitation to her home, the servant reveals his mission and God's clear hand in the matter. Despite her brother Laban and mother initially wishing for a longer stay, Rebekah's immediate and unequivocal consent, "I will go" (Gen 24:58), sets the stage for her departure. Verse 61 marks the culmination of this consent—the actual, physical setting forth on the journey, leaving behind all that was familiar to embrace God's chosen path for her and, by extension, for the unfolding of Abraham's covenant. Culturally, while marriages were typically arranged, Rebekah's direct consent underscores her vital role and agency in this pivotal decision, distinguishing it from a mere transaction.

Genesis 24 61 Word analysis

• Then Rebekah and her maids: This highlights Rebekah's personal and immediate readiness. "Her maids" (נְעָרוֹתֶיהָ, na‘aroteiha), previously described as "young women" or "attendants," indicates her noble status and the significant provision for her, part of the extensive gifts and dowry provided by Abraham's servant and her family. Her journey is a formal and substantial undertaking.
• arose: (וַתָּקָם, vatakam from קוּם, qum) – Meaning "to stand up," "to arise," or "to prepare for action." This is not passive compliance but an active, prompt, and decisive response to the call. It suggests immediate resolve and a lack of hesitation, demonstrating her firm commitment to the journey. Biblically, "to arise" often precedes a significant act or a departure.
• and they rode: (וַתִּרְכַּבְנָה, vatirkhavenah from רָכַב, rakab) – Meaning "to ride." This verb denotes the physical act of mounting and traveling, emphasizing the swift, deliberate, and forward movement. It's an active step in executing the decision to depart.
• on the camels: (עַל־הַגְּמַלִּים, ‘al ha-gemallim from גָּמָל, gamal) – Camels were crucial for long-distance travel in that era, symbolizing a significant journey, wealth, and the ability to cover vast desert terrains. Their use underlines the commitment and scale of the move, not just a short trip. It also implies the foresight and resources invested in her transport by Abraham.
• and followed: (וַתֵּלַכְנָה אַחֲרֵי, vatelekhnah acharei from הָלַךְ, halakh and אַחֲרֵי, acharei) – "Followed" implies active pursuit and obedience to guidance. The word אַחֲרֵי (acharei) means "after," "behind," indicating that she positioned herself to be led. This signifies her trust in the man (the servant) who represents God's will and leading. This action sets a pattern for spiritual discipleship – trusting and following a guide appointed by God.
• the man: (הָאִישׁ, ha’ish) – Referring to Abraham's servant. He is the immediate physical guide, acting as God's instrument in orchestrating Rebekah's journey to Isaac. He is not just any man but the specific chosen agent, entrusted with the task of uniting the bride with the son.
• So the servant took Rebekah: (וַיִּקַּח הָעֶבֶד אֶת־רִבְקָה, vayiqqach ha‘eved et-Rivqah from לָקַח, laqach) – "Took" here implies receiving and leading. The servant completes his mission, effectively taking charge of her journey, but notably, after her willing consent. It denotes the formal transition of Rebekah into Abraham’s care via the servant. This signifies God's agent successfully 'receiving' the bride chosen for the Son.
• and departed: (וַיֵּלַךְ, vayelekh from הָלַךְ, halakh) – Meaning "to go," "to journey," "to depart." This is the definitive action, the setting forth. It confirms the physical separation from her past life and the beginning of a new chapter towards her destiny with Isaac. This emphasizes the finality of the decision and the active initiation of the journey.

Genesis 24 61 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: This narrative is profoundly rich in typology, widely interpreted as illustrating the divine process of salvation. Abraham (the Father) sends his unnamed servant (a type of the Holy Spirit) to acquire a bride (Rebekah, a type of the Church/believer) for his son (Isaac, a type of Jesus Christ). Just as Rebekah actively responded to the servant's call, the Church, through the Spirit's drawing, responds to the call of Christ. Her willingness to leave all to go to the groom she had not yet seen beautifully mirrors the believer's faith journey to Christ.
• Rebekah's Agency: It's vital to highlight Rebekah's active role. While marriages were often arranged, her unequivocal "I will go" in verse 58 preceding this verse makes her a willing participant, not a passive object. This demonstrates her remarkable courage and faith in an era where women often had less voice. Her choice and action are central to the divine plan's fulfillment.
• Contrast of Commitment: Rebekah's immediate departure stands in stark contrast to narratives of reluctance in the Bible, such as Lot's wife who looked back and became a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26), or the Israelites who longed for Egypt while on their journey (Num 11). Her promptness and readiness embody a wholehearted commitment that serves as an enduring example of faith.

Genesis 24 61 Commentary

Genesis 24:61 portrays Rebekah's powerful and faith-filled "yes" to God's orchestrations. Her prompt and willing departure—"arose" and "rode"—reveals a profound trust in divine providence, accepting an unknown future with an unknown groom solely based on the servant's testimony of God's leading. She actively separates from her comfortable, familiar past, choosing a journey toward a destiny she has yet to see. This decisive action underscores her character as a woman of faith and obedience, mirroring the type of surrender Abraham exemplified. The servant, guided by God, facilitates this union, bringing the chosen bride to the promised son, completing a divinely orchestrated plan. Her journey is a tangible representation of embracing a new life defined by God's call, laying aside former allegiances for a future in God's covenant plan. It speaks to the commitment required to follow God's will, a profound lesson for believers.