Genesis 24:65 kjv

For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

Genesis 24:65 nkjv

for she had said to the servant, "Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took a veil and covered herself.

Genesis 24:65 niv

and asked the servant, "Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?" "He is my master," the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

Genesis 24:65 esv

and said to the servant, "Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took her veil and covered herself.

Genesis 24:65 nlt

"Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?" she asked the servant. And he replied, "It is my master." So Rebekah covered her face with her veil.

Genesis 24 verses

Genesis 24 65 Meaning

Genesis 24:65 describes Rebekah's immediate action upon learning that the man approaching them was Isaac, her intended husband. Her taking a veil and covering herself signifies a posture of modesty, reverence, and acceptance of her impending marital status and role. It marked her transition from an openly visible maiden to a bride reserved for her groom, a culturally significant gesture of honor and respect for her future husband.

Genesis 24 65 Context

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's critical mission to secure a wife for Isaac from his own kin, not from the Canaanites. Abraham sent his most trusted servant with a solemn oath, entrusting him with this pivotal task. The entire chapter highlights divine guidance and providence, with the servant consistently acknowledging God's hand in leading him directly to Rebekah. Isaac, meanwhile, is portrayed as contemplative, meditating in the field. This specific verse (Gen 24:65) marks the first physical encounter between Isaac and Rebekah, occurring as they arrive back in the Negev. It immediately follows the servant identifying Isaac, setting the stage for their union. The cultural expectation for a woman meeting her future husband, especially one of high status, was to demonstrate modesty and respect, which the act of veiling aptly conveyed.

Genesis 24 65 Word analysis

• For she had said (וַתֹּאמֶר – vat-to-mer): This introduces Rebekah's direct and proactive inquiry. Her curiosity regarding Isaac is evident, indicating her keen awareness of the significance of the man approaching. This reflects a woman who is engaged with her surroundings and observant.
• unto the servant (אֶל־הָעֶבֶד – ‘el-hā-‘eḇeḏ): Her question is directed to the one who has guided her and knows the identity of the person approaching, highlighting her reliance on appropriate channels for information.
• What man is this (מִי הָאִישׁ הַלָּזֶה – mî hā-’îš hal-lā-zeh): This precise phrasing indicates not merely casual interest but a specific, immediate recognition that this approaching figure is someone of note, compelling her to ask about his identity.
• that walketh in the field (הַהֹלֵךְ בַּשָּׂדֶה – hahō-lêḵ baś-śā-ḏeh): The participle "walking" (`hōlēḵ`) emphasizes his active presence and movement in the field. Isaac was known for meditating or praying in the field (`laśûaḥ` in verse 63, meaning to meditate or muse), and Rebekah immediately discerns his unique manner and purposeful presence.
• to meet us (לִקְרָאתֵנוּ – liq-rā-ṯê-nū): This signifies Isaac's intentional approach towards the caravan, not a coincidental encounter. Rebekah observes his deliberate movement in their direction.
• And the servant had said (וַיֹּאמֶר – vay-yō-mer): The servant's direct and concise response immediately resolves Rebekah's query.
• It is my master (אֲדֹנִי הוּא – ’ăḏō-nî hū’): This is the pivotal revelation. "Master" (`’ăḏō-nî`) signifies Isaac's status as the son of Abraham and the heir to God's promises, establishing his superior rank and the deep respect due to him. For Rebekah, this identifies him as her future husband, placing her in a position of immediate deference.
• therefore (עַל־כֵּן – ‘al-kên): This causal connector explicitly links the servant's revelation to Rebekah's subsequent action, showing it was a deliberate response to the news.
• she took a veil (וַתִּקַּח הַצָּעִיף – vat-tiq-qaḥ haṣ-ṣā-‘îp̄): `Haṣ-ṣā-‘îp̄` (the veil) refers to a specific type of head covering, likely a significant garment in that culture. The act of "taking" it indicates that it was something she prepared or actively grasped, ready for use, symbolizing her conscious transition.
• and covered herself (וַתִּתְכַּס – vat-tiṯ-kas): The verb `kasah` (כָּסָה - to cover) in the Hithpael (reflexive) stem signifies that she covered herself, emphasizing her intentional and self-initiated action. This act goes beyond simple modesty; it expresses her profound reverence for Isaac, her readiness to embrace her role as his wife, and her willingness to outwardly demonstrate her new status as betrothed. It marks her as set apart, signaling to Isaac her acceptance and respectful posture.

• "For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us?": This sequence demonstrates Rebekah's keen observation and decisive communication. She is not passive; she initiates the inquiry. Her perception of Isaac's purposeful approach indicates an understanding of the unfolding situation.
• "And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself.": This passage is a powerful display of cause and effect, where a key piece of information ('my master') elicits an immediate and culturally appropriate response ('took a veil, and covered herself'). It reveals Rebekah's prompt understanding and willingness to adopt the societal norms and expressions of respect for her future husband, solidifying her readiness for the marriage covenant. This isn't forced action, but a willing, respectful response to authority and the new stage of her life.

Genesis 24 65 Bonus section

The tsa'if (veil) Rebekah took signifies a distinction in status, from public view to personal union, a physical marker of her being set apart for Isaac. Her spontaneous action also serves as a beautiful foreshadowing of her future role as Isaac's wife and the spiritual matriarch who would step into Sarah's tent and place. Isaac, coming from meditating in the field, further highlights the divine alignment of their first meeting, portraying him as a man of prayer and contemplation, while Rebekah's action demonstrates a heart receptive to divine guidance and the demands of faith.

Genesis 24 65 Commentary

Rebekah's act of veiling upon recognizing Isaac is a profoundly significant gesture, revealing her character and adherence to cultural expectations. It was a multi-layered action that communicated modesty, deep respect for her prospective husband, and acceptance of her new identity as betrothed. By covering herself, she publicly demonstrated her deference to Isaac's status as master and her submission to her future role as his wife, even before any formal marital ceremonies. This immediate and conscious decision highlights her innate grace and suitability to become Isaac's companion and matriarch. It set a precedent for their relationship rooted in honor and understanding, underscoring her readiness to step into the lineage of God's chosen people. Her humility at this first meeting serves as a foundational example of a godly response to authority and the solemnity of covenant relationships.