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.

And it came to pass, when he saw {H7200} the earring {H5141} and bracelets {H6781} upon his sister's {H269} hands {H3027}, and when he heard {H8085} the words {H1697} of Rebekah {H7259} his sister {H269}, saying {H559}, Thus {H3541} spake {H1696} the man {H376} unto me; that he came {H935} unto the man {H376}; and, behold, he stood {H5975} by {H5921} the camels {H1581} at the well {H5869}.

As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.

And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the 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 was standing by the camels at the fountain.

Commentary

Genesis 24:30 marks a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of Isaac's search for a wife. This verse describes Laban's immediate and decisive reaction upon seeing the valuable gifts on his sister Rebekah and hearing her account of the encounter with Abraham's servant.

Context

The servant's mission was to find a wife for Isaac from Abraham's kin in Mesopotamia, a task he approached with prayer and diligence. After Rebekah showed remarkable hospitality by drawing water for him and his camels, as detailed in Genesis 24:17-20, the servant presented her with valuable gifts, including a golden earring and two bracelets. This verse describes Laban's immediate reaction upon seeing these gifts and hearing Rebekah's account of the encounter, setting the stage for the family's formal engagement with the servant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Guidance: Laban's swift response, though seemingly motivated by the gifts, is part of the larger narrative of God's direct hand guiding the servant to Rebekah, fulfilling Abraham's desire for Isaac's wife to be from his own family, as seen in Abraham's instructions in Genesis 24:4. The servant himself acknowledged this divine leading in Genesis 24:27.
  • Tangible Evidence and Family Dynamics: The gifts served as concrete proof of the servant's status and the seriousness of his intent. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such valuable adornments signaled wealth and a potential betrothal, prompting Laban's immediate investigation and invitation.
  • Hospitality and Welcome: Laban's quick action to invite the servant reflects the strong cultural value placed on hospitality, especially towards a potential kinsman or one bringing a significant proposal. His eagerness suggests not only a desire for politeness but also an awareness of the potential benefits of such a connection.

Linguistic Insights

The "earring" (Hebrew: nezem) could also refer to a nose-ring, a common and highly valued piece of jewelry in the ancient world. The "bracelets" (Hebrew: tzemidim) were heavy arm-bands. These were not mere trinkets but substantial items, indicating the servant's master's wealth and generous disposition, and likely signaling a significant social standing for the proposed bride. Laban's visual confirmation of these valuable items played a key role in his decision to approach the servant.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us of God's active involvement in the details of our lives, even in seemingly ordinary interactions or significant life decisions like marriage. Laban's quick response also highlights the importance of discernment and careful consideration when presented with significant opportunities or proposals, particularly those impacting family and future. It encourages us to be observant and responsive to what God might be orchestrating, just as Proverbs 3:5-6 advises trusting in the Lord's guidance with all our heart.

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

No cross-references found.

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