Genesis 24:24

KJV

And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she said {H559} unto him, I am the daughter {H1323} of Bethuel {H1328} the son {H1121} of Milcah {H4435}, which she bare {H3205} unto Nahor {H5152}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She answered, "I am the daughter of B'tu'el the son Milkah bore to Nachor,"

Berean Standard Bible

She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.”

American Standard Version

And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bare unto Nahor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:24 marks a divinely orchestrated moment in the narrative of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for Isaac. Rebekah's clear and concise self-identification, stating her lineage as the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor, provides the crucial genealogical confirmation. This declaration validates the servant's belief in God's direct guidance, ensuring Isaac would marry within Abraham's extended family, thereby preserving the covenant line as commanded.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the servant's initial interaction with Rebekah, immediately following his prayer for divine guidance and Rebekah's extraordinary act of hospitality in watering his ten camels. Having just presented her with valuable gifts, the servant's next logical step is to inquire about her family, specifically whether there is room in her father's house for him to lodge. Rebekah's response in [Genesis 24:24](/genesis/24-24 "Rebekah's self-identification") directly answers this implicit need for genealogical verification, confirming her connection to Abraham's kin and signaling the miraculous fulfillment of the servant's prayer and Abraham's specific instructions. It sets the stage for the servant's subsequent worship of God and his formal request to her family.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage was not merely a personal affair but a strategic alliance between families, deeply rooted in lineage and tribal identity. Abraham's insistence that Isaac not take a wife from the Canaanites ([Genesis 24:3](/genesis/24-3 "Abraham's command regarding Isaac's wife")) was not only a cultural preference but a theological imperative to preserve the purity of the covenant line from idolatrous influences. Rebekah's detailed genealogical identification in this verse was therefore paramount. It immediately established her as a legitimate candidate from Abraham's own extended family (his brother Nahor's lineage), satisfying the strict requirements for maintaining the integrity of the promised seed and the distinct identity of God's chosen people. Hospitality, exemplified by Rebekah's actions and her family's subsequent invitation, was also a highly valued cultural norm, signifying honor and trustworthiness.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 24:24 powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Guidance**. The servant's prayer for a specific sign, followed by Rebekah's immediate and perfect fulfillment of that sign, culminating in her precise genealogical declaration, demonstrates God's active involvement in guiding the lives of His people. This meticulous orchestration highlights God's faithfulness to His **Covenant Promises** with Abraham, ensuring the continuation of the lineage through which the ultimate blessing would come. The verse also subtly reinforces the **Importance of Lineage and Kinship** in preserving the spiritual and physical integrity of the covenant community, illustrating how God works through human relationships to achieve His redemptive purposes, as seen throughout the patriarchal narratives, from [Abraham's call in Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "The Call of Abraham") to the establishment of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 24:24 presents Rebekah's self-identification, which is concise yet profoundly significant for the unfolding narrative. Her statement, "And she said unto him, I [am] the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor," provides the crucial genealogical link the servant desperately sought.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root signifies not merely speaking, but often carries the weight of declaring, commanding, or even promising. In this context, Rebekah's "saying" is a direct, clear, and unhesitating declaration of her identity, carrying the authority of truth and fulfilling the servant's unspoken need for verification. It is a decisive utterance that propels the narrative forward.
* **daughter (Hebrew, _bath'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to build" (as in building a family), this term denotes a female offspring but is used in a very wide sense in Hebrew, encompassing various relationships, including a member of a community or a characteristic. Here, it specifically denotes Rebekah's direct familial relationship to Bethuel, establishing her immediate paternal lineage and her place within the family structure.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Similar to "daughter," this term also comes from the root "to build" and signifies a male offspring, often used in a broad sense for descendants, members of a group, or even characteristics. In this verse, it precisely identifies Bethuel as the male offspring of Milcah and Nahor, thereby tracing Rebekah's lineage back to Abraham's brother.
* **bare (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** This primitive root means "to bear young" or "to beget," often used in the context of childbirth or showing lineage. Its inclusion here explicitly states that Milcah was the one who gave birth to Bethuel by Nahor, solidifying the specific parental relationship and leaving no ambiguity about the genealogical connection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said unto him,"**: This opening clause highlights Rebekah's immediate and direct response to the servant's inquiry (implied from [Genesis 24:23](/genesis/24-23 "The servant's question to Rebekah")). Her willingness to speak openly and clearly about her family demonstrates her forthright character and sets a tone of transparency, which is crucial for the servant's mission.
* **"I [am] the daughter of Bethuel"**: This establishes Rebekah's immediate paternal lineage. Bethuel is identified as her father, providing the first critical piece of the genealogical puzzle. This direct statement of filial relationship is foundational for the servant to proceed with his inquiry about lodging and, ultimately, a potential marriage proposal.
* **"the son of Milcah,"**: This phrase specifies Bethuel's mother, Milcah. This detail is profoundly significant because Milcah is known to be the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother. By identifying Bethuel's mother, Rebekah provides the crucial link to Abraham's extended family, even before explicitly naming Nahor.
* **"which she bare unto Nahor."**: This final clause explicitly connects Milcah to Nahor, Abraham's brother ([Genesis 11:29](/genesis/11-29 "Nahor and Milcah in Genesis 11:29")). This confirms that Rebekah is Abraham's great-niece, fulfilling Abraham's mandate for Isaac to marry from his own kindred. The precision of this genealogical statement leaves no doubt about the divine orchestration of the encounter, as the servant had prayed for a woman from Abraham's family.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 24:24 is **Genealogy**, which is a recurring and vital feature throughout the book of Genesis. The precise naming of "Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor" serves not merely as factual information but as a narrative confirmation of divine providence. This detailed lineage functions as a **Plot Device**, resolving the servant's immediate dilemma and affirming that his journey has been guided by God. The direct and unprompted nature of Rebekah's full genealogical disclosure also hints at **Divine Irony** or **Divine Coincidence**, where seemingly natural events unfold in a way that perfectly aligns with God's pre-ordained plan, making the miraculous appear mundane. Her simple declaration carries immense theological weight, confirming the divine orchestration of events and the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:24 is a profound testament to God's meticulous providence and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Rebekah's precise self-identification, confirming her lineage to Abraham's brother Nahor, is the direct answer to the servant's earnest prayer for a sign, demonstrating God's active involvement in the smallest details of His people's lives. This divine orchestration ensures that the covenant line, through which the promised seed would come, remains pure and distinct from the surrounding Canaanite cultures. It underscores the biblical principle that God is not a distant deity but one who intimately guides and directs the paths of those who trust in Him, often working through seemingly ordinary circumstances to achieve extraordinary outcomes. The finding of Rebekah is a pivotal moment in the unfolding redemptive history, securing the next generation of the covenant family.

* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:24 serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous care in guiding the lives of His people. For believers today, this verse encourages us to trust in God's providential hand in all major life decisions, whether it is choosing a spouse, a career, or a place to live. Just as God orchestrated Rebekah's encounter with the servant and confirmed her identity, He continues to work in our lives, often in ways unseen, to lead us according to His perfect will. This narrative underscores the importance of seeking God's will through diligent prayer, patiently waiting for His timing, and remaining obedient to His principles, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. It calls us to cultivate a life of dependence on God, recognizing that His sovereignty extends to every detail, ensuring that His purposes are accomplished through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Rebekah's clear self-identification encourage you to be clear and decisive in your own walk of faith?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's guidance, and how can the servant's example of prayer and trust inform your approach?**
* **How does the theme of divine providence in this passage strengthen your faith in God's active involvement in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why was Rebekah's lineage so important to Abraham?**

Answer: Rebekah's lineage was of paramount importance to Abraham because it directly related to God's covenant promises. God had chosen Abraham and promised that through his offspring, all the nations of the earth would be blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant")). This covenant was to be preserved through Isaac. Abraham's insistence that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman ([Genesis 24:3](/genesis/24-3 "Abraham's command about Isaac's wife")) stemmed from a desire to maintain the purity of the covenant line and prevent the assimilation of his descendants into the idolatrous and morally corrupt practices of the surrounding cultures. Marrying within his own kindred (specifically, his brother Nahor's family) ensured that Isaac's wife would come from a family that shared a common heritage and, presumably, a similar understanding of God, thereby safeguarding the distinct identity and spiritual integrity of God's chosen people and the future of the promised seed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous divine orchestration of Rebekah's identity and her selection as Isaac's bride beautifully prefigures the sovereign care with which God prepares the lineage leading to Christ and gathers His Church. Just as Rebekah was chosen from Abraham's own kin to preserve the covenant line and ensure the continuation of the promised seed, so too was Christ born into this specific, divinely preserved lineage, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and culminating in the "seed" who would crush the serpent's head ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")). Furthermore, the servant's quest for a bride for Isaac can be seen as a profound type of the Holy Spirit's ongoing work in gathering a bride (the Church) for Christ. The Spirit, like the servant, seeks out those whom the Father has chosen, drawing them into an eternal covenant relationship with the Son. This narrative underscores that our salvation and inclusion in the family of God are not accidental but are part of God's perfect, pre-ordained plan, demonstrating His faithfulness to bring about His redemptive purposes through His Son, Jesus Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom of His Church ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ loves the Church as His bride")).

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

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 22:23

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

Genesis 22:20

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;

Genesis 11:29

And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife [was] Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.