Genesis 24:50

KJV

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Laban {H3837} and Bethuel {H1328} answered {H6030} and said {H559}, The thing {H1697} proceedeth {H3318} from the LORD {H3068}: we cannot {H3201} speak {H1696} unto thee bad {H7451} or {H176} good {H2896}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Lavan and B'tu'el replied, "Since this comes from ADONAI, we can't say anything to you either bad or good.

Berean Standard Bible

Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.

American Standard Version

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from Jehovah: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:50 records the pivotal declaration by Laban and Bethuel, acknowledging the undeniable divine origin of the proposal for Rebekah's marriage to Isaac. Their statement, "The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good," signifies their humble submission to God's sovereign will, recognizing that this divinely orchestrated event transcends human ability to object, alter, or improve.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the longest chapter in Genesis, dedicated entirely to the meticulous account of securing a wife for Isaac. Following Abraham's solemn charge to his chief servant in [Genesis 24:1-9](/genesis/24-1-9 "Abraham's Charge to His Servant in Genesis 24"), the narrative meticulously details the servant's journey to Mesopotamia, his earnest prayer for divine guidance at the well ([Genesis 24:10-14](/genesis/24-10-14 "The Servant's Prayer at the Well")), and Rebekah's immediate and precise fulfillment of the requested sign ([Genesis 24:15-27](/genesis/24-15-27 "Rebekah Meets the Servant and Fulfills the Sign")). Upon arriving at Laban's house, the servant recounts the entire miraculous sequence of events, emphasizing God's direct hand in leading him to Rebekah. Laban and Bethuel's response in [Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel's Response in Genesis 24:50") is the climactic human acknowledgment of this divine orchestration, serving as the family's official consent to the marriage proposal, thereby paving the way for Rebekah's departure and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant line.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage was not merely a personal affair but a crucial family and tribal matter, often involving extensive negotiations between the families, particularly the male heads of households. Betrothal customs typically involved a bride-price (mohar) and gifts, and the consent of the bride's male relatives (father, brothers) was paramount. Abraham's insistence on a wife from his own kindred, rather than the Canaanites, reflects the cultural importance of preserving ethnic and religious purity within the covenant community. The servant's detailed recounting of events, including the specific sign and Rebekah's immediate actions, was a culturally appropriate way to present the case, appealing to the family's sense of divine leading. Laban and Bethuel's response, acknowledging God's hand, effectively bypasses the usual human negotiations, signifying that the divine imperative superseded conventional cultural protocols.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is **Divine Providence**, showcasing God's active and meticulous involvement in guiding the lives of His covenant people, even in seemingly personal matters like marriage, to fulfill His larger redemptive purposes. This chapter also highlights **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, as securing a wife for Isaac from Abraham's lineage was essential for the continuation of the covenant established in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant Promise to Abraham"). The **Importance of Obedience and Prayer** is also central, exemplified by Abraham's servant who diligently obeys his master's command and earnestly seeks God's guidance through prayer ([Genesis 24:12](/genesis/24-12 "The Servant's Prayer for Guidance")). Finally, the narrative underscores the theme of **Human Submission to Divine Will**, as seen in Laban and Bethuel's response, acknowledging that God's clear leading leaves no room for human opposition or alteration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dâbâr (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This word, translated as "thing," is derived from the root "to speak" and carries a broad semantic range, encompassing "word," "matter," "affair," or "decree." In this context, "the thing" refers to the entire unfolding event of the servant's mission and the proposed marriage. The use of _dâbâr_ here elevates the event from a mere occurrence to a significant "matter" or "decree" that has been spoken or ordained by God.
* **yâtsâʼ (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** Translated "proceedeth," this primitive root means "to go out," "come forth," or "issue from." It denotes an active emanation or origin. When applied to the "thing" proceeding "from the LORD," it powerfully conveys that the entire sequence of events did not merely happen by chance, but actively originated from, was directed by, and issued forth from God Himself. It implies a divine initiative and a purposeful unfolding.
* **Yᵉhôvâh (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal name of God, often translated as "the LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. It signifies "the Self-Existent One" or "the Eternal." The use of Yahweh here, rather than a more generic term for God, emphasizes that the specific covenant-keeping God of Abraham is the one orchestrating these events, underscoring His personal involvement and faithfulness to His promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said,"**: This opening clause sets the scene, identifying the speakers as Rebekah's brother and father, respectively. Their joint response indicates a family consensus and authority in the matter, reflecting the patriarchal societal structure where male heads of the household held decision-making power regarding marriage alliances. Their "answer" is a direct reply to the servant's detailed recounting of God's clear guidance.
* **"The thing proceedeth from the LORD:"**: This is the core declaration, a profound theological acknowledgment. "The thing" (Hebrew: _hadavar_) refers to the entire miraculous chain of events that led the servant directly to Rebekah and confirmed her as the chosen bride. The phrase "proceedeth from the LORD" (Hebrew: _mêYahweh yatsa hadavar_) reveals their conviction that this entire affair is not a human arrangement or a stroke of luck, but a direct, intentional, and undeniable act originating from Yahweh, the covenant God. This recognition implies divine authority and sanction, placing the matter beyond human dispute.
* **"we cannot speak unto thee bad or good."**: This concluding statement expresses their complete inability to object or even to negotiate the terms of the proposal. "Speak bad" (Hebrew: _raʻ_) means to find fault, disapprove, or oppose. "Speak good" (Hebrew: _ṭôwb_) means to approve, commend, or add anything to improve the terms. By stating they cannot do either, they convey that the divine confirmation is so overwhelming and irrefutable that it leaves no room for human intervention, whether positive or negative. Their hands are tied, not by coercion, but by the clear evidence of God's sovereign will, compelling their humble submission.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Direct Discourse**, allowing Laban and Bethuel's own words to powerfully convey their recognition of divine sovereignty. The phrase "The thing proceedeth from the LORD" functions as a **Divine Affirmation**, a declaration that God's hand is undeniably at work, lending an authoritative and unchallengeable weight to the events. Furthermore, the expression "bad or good" is a classic example of a **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent a whole. In this case, "bad or good" encompasses the entire spectrum of human judgment, negotiation, or intervention, signifying that no aspect of human opinion or will can alter what God has ordained. This merism emphasizes the absolute nature of their submission to the divine will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:50 stands as a powerful testament to God's active and meticulous providence, demonstrating His sovereign hand in orchestrating events to fulfill His redemptive purposes, even in the seemingly personal and familial decisions of His people. This verse underscores the critical theological truth that God is not a distant deity but intimately involved in the affairs of humanity, guiding those who trust in Him. It highlights the proper human response to clear evidence of divine will: humble acceptance and submission, recognizing the futility and impropriety of opposing God's perfect plan. The securing of a wife for Isaac from Abraham's kindred was not merely a family matter but crucial for the continuation of the covenant line, thus demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises made to Abraham, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - God Directs Our Steps")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The LORD's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:50 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, particularly regarding our approach to significant life decisions. It encourages us to cultivate a deep awareness of God's active involvement in our lives, recognizing that His sovereign hand is at work even in the details we might consider mundane. Just as Abraham's servant earnestly sought and found divine guidance, we are called to commit our ways to the Lord through diligent prayer and patient observation, trusting that He will direct our paths ([Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart in Proverbs 3:5-6")). When God's will becomes evident, whether through clear circumstances, wise counsel, or the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, our proper response, like Laban and Bethuel's, is humble acceptance and submission. This means releasing our own preferences, plans, or objections, and embracing God's perfect design, even when it requires stepping out in faith or embracing the unexpected. This verse reminds us that God's purposes are unthwartable, and aligning ourselves with His will is always the path to true flourishing and the fulfillment of His greater plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's guidance, and how might you better discern His "proceeding" hand?**
* **What personal desires or objections might prevent you from fully submitting to God's clear will, as Laban and Bethuel ultimately did?**
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty in seemingly small details empower your faith in His overarching plan for your life?**

### FAQ
**What does Laban and Bethuel's statement, "we cannot speak unto thee bad or good," signify?**

Answer: This statement signifies their profound recognition that the events surrounding Rebekah's potential marriage to Isaac are divinely orchestrated, leaving no room for human objection or negotiation. They acknowledge God's clear authority and purpose in the matter, rendering any human attempt to approve or disapprove, or to alter the terms, futile. It is an admission of their powerlessness in the face of unmistakable divine will, indicating that the evidence of God's hand was so compelling that it silenced all human argument. Their words convey a humble submission to a higher, unchallengeable authority, recognizing that to oppose this "thing" would be to oppose the [LORD Himself](/isaiah/46-10 "God's Sovereign Declaration in Isaiah 46:10").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine orchestration of Isaac's marriage in [Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel's Acknowledgment of God's Will in Genesis 24:50") serves as a profound prefigurement of God's ultimate, perfect plan for humanity's redemption, which finds its glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God providentially guided Abraham's servant to Rebekah to secure the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, so too did God sovereignly orchestrate all of history, culminating in the incarnation, life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection of His Son. The "thing" that "proceedeth from the LORD" in this narrative is a microcosm of God's overarching redemptive plan, where every detail, every person, and every event works together for the bringing forth of Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom of the Church ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's Love for the Church in Ephesians 5:25-27")). Through Christ, God's perfect will for salvation is fully revealed and accomplished, leaving no room for human objection or alternative, for He is the ultimate "good" that proceeds from the LORD, bringing eternal life and light to all who believe and drawing His chosen bride to Himself ([John 6:44](/john/6-44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him in John 6:44")).

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

Psalms 118:23

This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.

Genesis 31:24

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Genesis 31:29

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Mark 12:11

This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

2 Samuel 13:22

And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Genesis 24:28

And the damsel ran, and told [them of] her mother's house these things.

Genesis 24:55

And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us [a few] days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.