Genesis 22:23

And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

And Bethuel {H1328} begat {H3205} Rebekah {H7259}: these eight {H8083} Milcah {H4435} did bear {H3205} to Nahor {H5152}, Abraham's {H85} brother {H251}.

B'tu'el fathered Rivkah. These eight Milkah bore to Nachor Avraham's brother.

And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor.

And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight did Milcah bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

Commentary

This verse, Genesis 22:23, concludes a brief but significant genealogical interlude within the book of Genesis. It serves as a bridge between the dramatic account of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac and the subsequent narrative concerning Isaac's marriage. Specifically, it details the family line of Nahor, Abraham's brother, through his wife Milcah, culminating in the introduction of a pivotal figure: Rebekah.

Context

Positioned immediately after the profound test of Abraham's faith in Genesis 22, this genealogy provides essential background for the next major development in God's covenant plan. It establishes the lineage of Rebekah, ensuring she comes from Abraham's extended family, a common and preferred practice for marriage in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This detail subtly prepares the reader for the upcoming narrative where Abraham will seek a wife for Isaac from his own kin, ensuring the continuation of the promised seed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Preparation: Even seemingly minor genealogical lists reveal God's meticulous planning. This verse highlights God's providential hand in preparing the way for future events, specifically the union that will secure the covenant line through Isaac.
  • Lineage and Covenant Continuity: The careful recording of family lines, especially those connected to Abraham's descendants and his covenant promises, underscores the importance of maintaining a pure and traceable lineage. Rebekah's birth into Abraham's wider family ensures the continuity of the chosen seed.
  • Introduction of a Matriarch: This verse formally introduces Rebekah, who will become one of the four great matriarchs of Israel (alongside Sarah, Rachel, and Leah). Her character and actions will significantly shape the patriarchal narratives.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "begat" (יָלַד - yalad) is consistently used in Genesis to denote paternal lineage, emphasizing the direct line of descent. Genealogies in the Hebrew Bible are far more than mere lists; they are crucial theological and historical documents that establish identity, inheritance rights, and demonstrate the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific families. The phrase "these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor" refers to the eight sons listed in the preceding verses (Genesis 22:20-22), with Bethuel being the eighth and the father of Rebekah.

Significance and Application

Genesis 22:23 might appear as a simple factual statement, yet its strategic placement is profound. It demonstrates that God's grand plans often unfold through ordinary family connections and what might seem like incidental details. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God is sovereign over every aspect of life, including our ancestry and relationships. This verse encourages us to recognize God's intricate weaving of events, even when we cannot see the full picture, and to trust in His perfect timing. It lays the essential groundwork for the pivotal role Rebekah will play as Isaac's wife, ensuring the continuation of the covenant promises through the next generation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 24:15

    And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

  • Genesis 28:2

    Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

  • Genesis 24:67

    And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's [death].

  • Romans 9:10

    And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac;

  • Genesis 24:47

    And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter [art] thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

  • Genesis 24:51

    Behold, Rebekah [is] before thee, take [her], and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

  • Genesis 25:20

    And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
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