Genesis 25:24 kjv

And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Genesis 25:24 nkjv

So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.

Genesis 25:24 niv

When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.

Genesis 25:24 esv

When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Genesis 25:24 nlt

And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins!

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 24 Meaning

Genesis 25:24 marks the divinely appointed completion of Rebekah's pregnancy, specifically highlighting the momentous revelation that she was carrying not one, but two children. The verse confirms the culmination of God's promise concerning Isaac's lineage and directly follows the Lord's earlier prophetic word to Rebekah about the "two nations in her womb," bringing His words to tangible reality in perfect timing.

Genesis 25 24 Context

Genesis chapter 25 provides an overview of Isaac's life and the continuation of the patriarchal line after Abraham's death. Specifically, verses 20-26 detail Isaac's marriage to Rebekah, their long period of barrenness (twenty years, as Isaac was 60 when they were born), Isaac's earnest prayer, and Rebekah's subsequent pregnancy. The verses leading up to 24 describe Rebekah's discomfort and her inquiry to the Lord, to which God revealed that "two nations" were in her womb, with "the elder serving the younger." This divine prophecy (v. 23) sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment in verse 24. Historically and culturally, barrenness was a significant trial and source of distress, emphasizing God's miraculous intervention when it came to the lineage of the promised seed. The revelation of twins after such a period underscored God's power and direct involvement, and also the profound significance of the children.

Genesis 25 24 Word analysis

• And when: (Hebrew: וַיְהִי, wa-y'hi) – A common narrative conjunction, often translated as "and it came to pass" or "now it was." It indicates a sequential progression of events, moving the story forward from Rebekah's distress and God's prophecy to the moment of delivery. It signals a critical turn in the narrative.
• her days: (Hebrew: יָמֶיהָ, yameiha) – Refers to the full period of gestation. This is the expected duration of pregnancy. The mention of "her days" implies a natural, full-term delivery, yet within this natural course, God's timing and intervention are paramount.
• to be delivered: (Hebrew: לָלֶדֶת, lalédet) – From the verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth, to bear, to bring forth." This highlights the completion of the pregnancy, the physiological culmination leading to birth.
• were fulfilled: (Hebrew: מָלְאוּ, mal'u) – From the root מָלֵא (male), meaning "to be full, to be completed, to be accomplished." This is a key word, signifying that the divinely appointed or predestined time for birth had precisely arrived. It's not merely that the biological time was up, but that God's set timing for the fulfillment of His prophecy in verse 23 was at hand. This echoes themes of divine timeliness throughout Scripture.
• behold: (Hebrew: וְהִנֵּה, ve-hinneh) – An interjection used to draw attention to something unexpected, significant, or surprising. It serves to heighten the dramatic impact and highlight the revelation about to occur. It underscores the wonder and directness of God's working.
• there were twins: (Hebrew: תּוֹמִם, to'mim) – Literally "twin ones." This is the climactic revelation. The very presence of twins validates the prophecy given by the Lord in Gen 25:23 about "two nations in your womb." Twins are a specific and unusual fulfillment, further emphasizing the unique and divinely orchestrated nature of this birth and the distinct destinies awaiting each child.
• in her womb: (Hebrew: בְּבִטְנָהּ, be'bitnah) – Specifies the physical location. This phrase ties back directly to the prophecy given in verse 23 ("two nations are in your womb"), demonstrating the immediate and physical confirmation of God's word. It highlights that the prophecy wasn't abstract but was concretely manifest within Rebekah's own body.

Words-group analysis

• "And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled": This phrase emphasizes that the pregnancy reached its natural term according to divine scheduling. After Isaac's prayer and Rebekah's distress, God brought about the birth at the exact, preordained moment. It highlights God's sovereignty over natural processes and His precise timing for His promises.
• "behold, there were twins in her womb": The interjection "behold" creates a sense of surprise and divine intervention, drawing attention to the extraordinary discovery. The confirmation of "twins" immediately validates the divine prophecy Rebekah received earlier (Gen 25:23). The "womb" links directly back to that prophecy, signifying the tangible and immediate fulfillment of God's word about "two nations." This discovery sets the foundation for the profound biblical narrative of Jacob and Esau, their distinct destinies, and God's sovereign election.

Genesis 25 24 Bonus section

• The detail of "fulfilled days" highlights the consistency of God's workings. While the conception was miraculous, the gestation followed a normal human course, demonstrating that God works both supernaturally and through natural means to accomplish His will.
• The fact that it's twins, rather than a single child, directly addresses the spiritual and national implications already given in the prophecy. The conflict Rebekah felt internally during her pregnancy was literally reflected in the dual occupants of her womb, foreshadowing the sibling rivalry and the historical trajectory of their respective nations (Israel and Edom).
• The emphasis on "womb" connects not only to the prophecy but also to the biblical concept of identity and destiny being formed by God from before birth, a theme seen repeatedly for significant figures in Scripture like Jacob, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ.

Genesis 25 24 Commentary

Genesis 25:24 is a critical hinge in the patriarchal narrative. After twenty years of barrenness and a deeply personal intercession by Isaac for his wife (v. 21), God responds by opening Rebekah's womb. This verse explicitly declares the "fulfillment" of her days for delivery, indicating that the timing of this birth was divinely orchestrated. The immediate and surprising revelation, marked by "behold," is the presence of twins. This detail isn't incidental; it's the direct, physical confirmation of the prophecy God gave Rebekah in verse 23, "Two nations are in your womb." Thus, the verse isn't merely a factual account of birth but a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His word precisely and according to His sovereign plan. The unique circumstances surrounding these two births—born after barrenness and prophesied to represent two nations with one serving the other—set the stage for the dramatic, often conflict-ridden, yet ultimately purposeful stories of Jacob and Esau. It foreshadows the divine choice and distinct destinies that will unfold from this point onward in biblical history.