(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
Rivkah too looked up; and when she saw Yitz'chak, she quickly dismounted the camel.
And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel
And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel.
And Rebekah{H7259} lifted up{H5375} her eyes{H5869}, and when she saw{H7200} Isaac{H3327}, she lighted{H5307} off{H5921} the camel{H1581}.
Genesis 24:64 is part of the narrative in the Book of Genesis that recounts the story of how Isaac, the son of Abraham, came to marry Rebekah. The verse itself captures a pivotal moment in the courtship story, highlighting the themes of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Providence:** The story illustrates how God guides the events to fulfill His promises. Abraham's servant, sent to find a wife for Isaac, prays for a sign to identify the right woman, and Rebekah's actions align with the servant's prayer, suggesting divine orchestration.
2. **Fulfillment of Promises:** This moment is part of the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, ensuring that his descendants would be numerous and blessed. The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is essential for the continuation of this covenant.
3. **Hospitality and Kindness:** Rebekah's willingness to offer water to the servant and his camels demonstrates the cultural value of hospitality, which is a recurring theme in the Bible.
4. **Betrothal and Family:** The verse underscores the importance of family and marriage in the ancient Near Eastern context, where such unions were often arranged and seen as a merging of families.
**Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** The events take place during the patriarchal period, roughly around the early 2nd millennium BCE, in the region of Canaan.
- **Cultural Practices:** The customs of arranged marriages, the significance of the bride's consent (as seen in Rebekah's willingness to go with the servant), and the importance of camels as a sign of wealth and status are all reflective of the cultural practices of the time.
- **Abrahamic Covenant:** Abraham, as the patriarch of the Israelites, plays a crucial role in the biblical narrative. His faith and obedience to God, including his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, are central to the themes of faith and promise that run throughout the Bible.
In summary, Genesis 24:64 is a key verse in the love story of Isaac and Rebekah, emphasizing themes of divine guidance, the fulfillment of God's promises, and the social values of hospitality and family unity, all set within the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East during the patriarchal era.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)