Genesis 24:22

KJV

And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten [shekels] weight of gold;

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, as the camels {H1581} had done {H3615} drinking {H8354}, that the man {H376} took {H3947} a golden {H2091} earring {H5141} of half a shekel {H1235} weight {H4948}, and two {H8147} bracelets {H6781} for her hands {H3027} of ten {H6235} shekels weight {H4948} of gold {H2091};

Complete Jewish Bible

When the camels were done drinking, the man took a gold nose-ring weighing one-fifth of an ounce and two gold bracelets weighing four ounces

Berean Standard Bible

And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following Rebekah's remarkable demonstration of hospitality in watering his ten camels, Abraham's servant, discerning God's clear leading, immediately presented her with significant golden gifts: a nose-ring weighing half a shekel and two bracelets weighing ten shekels. These valuable items served as a preliminary token of serious intent, acknowledging her character and initiating the process of discerning God's will for Isaac's future bride, underscoring the divine orchestration of the events.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24 unfolds as a pivotal narrative within the patriarchal history, focusing on Abraham's singular mission to secure a wife for his son Isaac. Having been blessed by God and nearing the end of his life, Abraham ensures Isaac's lineage will remain distinct from the Canaanite inhabitants by sending his most trusted servant to his homeland in Mesopotamia. The servant's journey, his specific prayer for divine guidance at the well, and Rebekah's immediate and extraordinary response (watering not only the servant but also his ten thirsty camels) set the stage for this verse. [Genesis 24:22](/genesis/24-22 "The Servant's Gifts to Rebekah") marks the servant's initial, divinely prompted action, an immediate and tangible response to Rebekah's character and the perceived fulfillment of his prayer, preceding any formal introduction or negotiation with her family.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Marriage customs in the ancient Near East were highly structured, often involving extensive negotiations between families, the exchange of gifts (mohar, bride-price, and counter-gifts), and formal betrothal periods. Gifts like those given by the servant were not merely tokens of appreciation but carried significant legal and social weight, serving as a preliminary betrothal offering that signaled serious intent and initiated the formal process of acquiring a bride. The "shekel" was a standard unit of weight for precious metals, and the specified weights (half a shekel for the nose-ring, ten shekels for the bracelets) indicate substantial value, reflecting the wealth of Abraham's household and the importance of the potential alliance. Hospitality, as demonstrated by Rebekah, was a cardinal virtue, often seen as a divine blessing and a test of character.
* **Key Themes:** This passage richly contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is **Divine Providence and Guidance**, as God actively intervenes to direct the servant's path and reveal His chosen bride for Isaac, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham regarding his descendants. Rebekah's actions highlight the theme of **Exceptional Hospitality and Selfless Service**, demonstrating virtues highly valued in the ancient world and divinely rewarded. Furthermore, the meticulous process of seeking a bride, including the exchange of valuable gifts, underscores the **Significance of Marriage and Covenant** in God's plan, particularly for the continuation of the promised lineage. This narrative also subtly introduces the theme of **Preparation for Fulfillment**, as Rebekah is being prepared and adorned for her role in the unfolding redemptive history, echoing themes found throughout [the patriarchal narratives](/genesis/12-50 "The Patriarchal Narratives of Genesis").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications)." In this context, it signifies the servant's deliberate and purposeful action of acquiring and presenting the gifts, indicating a significant transaction rather than a casual offering.
* **earring (Hebrew, _nezem'_):** From an unused root of uncertain meaning, referring to a "nose-ring" or "earring." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, nose-rings were common and highly valued forms of adornment, often signifying status or betrothal.
* **gold (Hebrew, _zâhâb'_):** From an unused root meaning "to shimmer," referring to "gold" literally, or figuratively, something "gold-colored." The use of gold emphasizes the preciousness and high value of the gifts, reflecting the wealth of Abraham's household and the serious intent of the offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking":** This clause emphasizes the completion of Rebekah's arduous task. The camels, having consumed a substantial amount of water (up to 25 gallons each after a long journey), signify the full extent of Rebekah's generous and strenuous labor. The servant patiently waited for this completion, confirming the full extent of her hospitality before acting.
* **"that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight":** Immediately following the completion of the watering, the servant, identified as "the man" (likely Eliezer), took out a significant gift. The "golden earring" (likely a nose-ring, _nezem_) was a prominent piece of jewelry, and its weight of "half a shekel" (approximately 0.2 ounces or 5.7 grams of gold) indicates it was a valuable and substantial item, not a mere trifle. This initial gift served as a public token of serious interest and preliminary commitment.
* **"and two bracelets for her hands of ten [shekels] weight of gold;":** In addition to the nose-ring, the servant presented two bracelets. The combined weight of these two bracelets was "ten shekels of gold" (approximately 4 ounces or 114 grams of gold). This was an exceptionally large and valuable gift, demonstrating immense wealth and the profound earnestness of the servant's mission. These gifts, particularly the bracelets, were customary preliminary betrothal gifts in the ancient Near East, signifying the initiation of a serious marriage proposal and marking Rebekah as a chosen candidate for Isaac's wife.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative employs **Narrative Pacing** to highlight the servant's immediate and decisive action following Rebekah's completed task, underscoring his conviction that God's sign had been fulfilled. The detailed mention of the specific weights of the gold items (half a shekel for the nose-ring, ten shekels for the bracelets) serves as **Emphasis**, drawing attention to the substantial value of the gifts. This detail also functions as a form of **Realism**, grounding the story in the economic realities of the time and lending credibility to the servant's earnestness and Abraham's wealth. Furthermore, the gifts themselves serve as **Symbolism**, representing not only Abraham's wealth and the servant's serious intent but also the divine favor and blessing being bestowed upon Rebekah as God's chosen instrument in the unfolding covenantal plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in the narrative underscores the profound theme of divine providence, where God orchestrates human actions and circumstances to fulfill His sovereign plan. The servant's discerning prayer and Rebekah's selfless response are met with immediate, tangible blessing, illustrating how God guides those who seek His will and rewards faithful obedience. The valuable gifts are not merely a cultural formality but a divine affirmation, marking Rebekah as set apart for a sacred purpose within the lineage of promise. This act of giving also highlights the ancient Near Eastern custom of betrothal, where valuable gifts cemented serious intent and initiated the process of forming a new covenantal family, prefiguring the deeper covenantal relationships God establishes with His people.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers")
* [Ruth 3:11](/ruth/3-11 "All the city of my people know that you are a worthy woman")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and responding to God's guidance in our lives. Just as Abraham's servant diligently sought a sign and acted upon it with conviction, we are called to be attentive to divine leading, whether in major life decisions or in daily interactions. The story encourages us to cultivate a spirit of patient waiting for God's timing, coupled with decisive action when His will becomes clear. Furthermore, Rebekah's selfless hospitality, demonstrated by her willingness to undertake a strenuous task without immediate expectation of reward, provides a timeless example of generosity and willingness to serve others. Her genuine kindness opened doors and was wonderfully blessed, illustrating how our character and actions, when aligned with God's principles, can be used by Him to unfold His perfect plan and bring about unexpected blessings. This narrative challenges us to consider how our own acts of service and our attentiveness to divine leading can contribute to God's larger purposes in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Rebekah's immediate and generous response to the servant's request challenge our own willingness to serve others, especially when it requires significant effort?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's guidance, and what steps can you take to be more attentive and responsive to His leading, like Abraham's servant?**
* **How do the gifts given to Rebekah illustrate the value God places on those He chooses for His purposes, and how might this encourage us in our own sense of worth in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did the servant give Rebekah such valuable gifts immediately?**

Answer: The servant gave Rebekah valuable gifts immediately because he perceived her actions—watering all ten of his camels—as the precise fulfillment of the specific sign he had prayed for from God. These gifts were not just a thank you for hospitality; they were a preliminary betrothal offering, signifying his serious intent and the beginning of the process to secure her as Isaac's wife. This immediate action demonstrated his conviction that God had divinely guided him to the right woman, confirming God's hand in his mission to find a bride from Abraham's kin, as instructed in [Genesis 24:3-4](/genesis/24-3-4 "Abraham's instruction to his servant").

**What was the significance of the "earring" and "bracelets" in this context?**

Answer: The "earring" (likely a nose-ring, _nezem_) and "bracelets" were significant pieces of gold jewelry. Their substantial weight (half a shekel for the ring, ten shekels for the bracelets) indicated the great wealth of Abraham's household and the high status of the prospective bride. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such gifts served as a formal preliminary step in marriage negotiations, demonstrating serious intent and commitment from the suitor's family. They essentially marked the woman as chosen and initiated the formal process of betrothal, a crucial step before the marriage itself, as seen in other biblical accounts of marriage customs (e.g., [Genesis 34:12](/genesis/34-12 "The custom of bride-price and gifts")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Abraham's servant seeking a bride for Isaac beautifully prefigures the profound redemptive work of the Holy Spirit in gathering the Church, the glorious bride for Christ. Just as the servant, sent by the father, sought a specific woman from a specific lineage and adorned her with precious gifts, so the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father from heaven, calls out a people from every tribe and nation, bestowing upon them the spiritual gifts and the imputed righteousness of Christ, preparing them for eternal union with the heavenly Bridegroom. Rebekah's willing response to the servant's call and her adornment with gold foreshadow the Church's joyful acceptance of Christ's invitation and her spiritual beautification through His grace and sacrifice, ultimately leading to the triumphant [marriage supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb") where the bride, made ready, will be united with her King. This divine courtship, initiated by the Father and executed by the Spirit, culminates in the ultimate covenant union, fulfilling God's eternal purpose to have a people for Himself, purified and perfected by His love, as described in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 16:11

I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.

Ezekiel 16:12

And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

Exodus 32:2

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which [are] in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring [them] unto me.

Exodus 32:3

And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron.

Genesis 24:30

And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.

Genesis 23:15

My lord, hearken unto me: the land [is worth] four hundred shekels of silver; what [is] that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Genesis 23:16

¶ And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current [money] with the merchant.