Genesis 24:51

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, Rebekah {H7259} is before thee {H6440}, take {H3947} her, and go {H3212}, and let her be thy master's {H113} son's {H1121} wife {H802}, as the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rivkah is here in front of you; take her and go. Let her be your master's son's wife, as ADONAI has said."

Berean Standard Bible

Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”

American Standard Version

Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as Jehovah hath spoken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:51 marks the pivotal moment of definitive consent from Rebekah's family for her marriage to Isaac, not as a result of human negotiation or fortunate circumstance, but as an explicit acknowledgment of divine orchestration. This verse powerfully declares that the entire arrangement is a direct fulfillment of God's spoken word, underscoring His active providence in establishing the lineage through which His covenant promises to Abraham would be realized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24 stands as a narrative masterpiece, meticulously detailing Abraham's solemn charge to his chief servant to secure a wife for Isaac from among his own kindred, thereby preserving the purity of the covenant line and preventing intermarriage with the Canaanites. The chapter unfolds with the servant's arduous journey to Mesopotamia, his earnest prayer for divine guidance at the well, and the miraculous, precise fulfillment of his requested sign by Rebekah. This verse, Genesis 24:51, arrives at the climax of the servant's recounting of these events to Rebekah's family—Laban and Bethuel. It captures their immediate and unequivocal response, serving as the definitive familial endorsement that paves the way for Rebekah's departure and marriage, solidifying the divinely guided progression of the narrative.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage was not merely a personal affair but a familial and tribal arrangement, often involving extensive negotiations and the exchange of gifts. The emphasis on marrying within one's kindred, as seen in Abraham's directive, was crucial for maintaining tribal identity, preserving inheritance, and safeguarding religious purity. The practice of seeking a bride from a distant homeland, while challenging, ensured that the covenant lineage remained distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. The family's authority, particularly that of the father or male head (Bethuel and Laban in this case), was paramount in granting consent. However, the narrative transcends typical cultural norms by highlighting the family's recognition of a higher authority—God's direct intervention—which overrides any potential human hesitation or negotiation.

* **Key Themes:** This chapter, culminating in the declaration of Genesis 24:51, powerfully articulates several foundational themes. **Divine Providence** is central, demonstrating God's meticulous and active involvement in the lives of His covenant people, guiding every step of the servant's journey and orchestrating the union of Isaac and Rebekah. **Covenant Faithfulness** is also paramount, as God remains true to His promises made to Abraham in passages such as [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promise to Abraham") and [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham"). The successful arrangement of Isaac's marriage ensures the continuation of the promised seed. Furthermore, the theme of **Obedience and Trust** is evident in Abraham's faith-filled instruction to his servant and the servant's diligent reliance on God's guidance, echoing the principles found in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart"). The entire account underscores God's sovereign hand in human affairs, especially in matters critical to His redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pânîym (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This plural noun, often translated "face" or "presence," is used here in the phrase "before thee" (literally, "Rebekah, her face/presence is before you"). It signifies Rebekah's immediate availability and undeniable presence, making her suitability for Isaac clear and evident. The use of this term emphasizes the directness and transparency of the situation, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.
* **lâqach (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** Translated as "take," this primitive root signifies receiving, acquiring, or seizing. In this context, it is a direct command from Rebekah's family, instructing the servant to "take her" as Isaac's wife. This word conveys the definitive action of acquiring Rebekah for marriage, underscoring the family's full and unreserved consent, effectively transferring her into the care and household of Isaac.
* **dâbar (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root, meaning "to speak," "declare," or "arrange," is used in the phrase "as the LORD hath spoken." It refers to God's direct communication or decree. Here, it is the theological linchpin, attributing the entire successful outcome—from the servant's journey to Rebekah's identity—to God's explicit word and sovereign will. It signifies that the events are not random but are precisely aligned with God's pre-ordained plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, Rebekah [is] before thee":** This opening declaration, emphatic with the interjection "Behold" (Hebrew *hinneh*), immediately draws attention to the undeniable reality of Rebekah's presence and suitability. It functions as a clear affirmation from her family (Laban and Bethuel) that Rebekah is indeed the woman divinely appointed, standing ready and available, leaving no room for further questioning or doubt.
* **"take [her], and go":** This is a direct command, an unequivocal grant of permission and instruction to the servant. "Take her" signifies their full consent to the marriage and the transfer of Rebekah into the care of Abraham's household. "And go" urges immediate action, signaling that no further deliberation is needed, as the divine will has been made manifest.
* **"and let her be thy master's son's wife":** This clause explicitly states the purpose of the servant's mission and the outcome of the family's consent. It formally designates Rebekah as Isaac's wife, solidifying the marital covenant. This is not merely a suggestion but a definitive declaration, reflecting the family's full endorsement of the union.
* **"as the LORD hath spoken":** This concluding phrase is the theological cornerstone of the verse. It attributes the entire successful arrangement—from the servant's journey to Rebekah's identity and the family's swift consent—to the direct and sovereign word of Yahweh (the LORD). It elevates the human transaction to a divinely ordained event, confirming that this marriage is not a matter of chance or human negotiation, but a precise fulfillment of God's will and covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The initial **Exclamation** "Behold" (Hebrew *hinneh*) serves as a dramatic attention-grabber, signaling the immediate and undeniable truth of the situation. This sets a tone of **Divine Affirmation**, where human recognition aligns perfectly with God's clear working. The statement "as the LORD hath spoken" functions as a powerful **Theological Declaration**, explicitly attributing the entire outcome to divine sovereignty rather than human agency or coincidence. This phrase also acts as a form of **Climax** for the servant's narrative, providing the ultimate validation for his remarkable journey and the specific signs he witnessed. Furthermore, the entire narrative leading up to this point, and this verse in particular, demonstrates **Divine Providence** as a literary theme, illustrating God's meticulous orchestration of events to fulfill His covenant purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:51 stands as a powerful testament to God's active and precise providence in the lives of His covenant people. The family's declaration, "as the LORD hath spoken," is not merely a polite assent but a profound recognition that the entire arrangement—from the servant's safe journey to Rebekah's specific actions at the well—was orchestrated by the divine hand. This underscores the biblical truth that God is intimately involved in the details of human life, particularly when those details pertain to His overarching redemptive plan. This passage reinforces the theme of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, ensuring the continuation of the lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. It teaches us that seeking and discerning God's will in significant life decisions, especially marriage, is paramount, as true blessing flows from alignment with His divine purpose.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make Him a Great Nation")
* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding His Descendants and Land")
* [Proverbs 19:14](/proverbs/19-14 "A Prudent Wife is from the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Genesis 24:51 offers profound insights into discerning and embracing God's will in our own lives, particularly in significant decisions like marriage and vocational callings. Just as Rebekah's family recognized the undeniable hand of God in the servant's remarkable journey and the specific signs, we are called to cultivate a posture of prayerful discernment and trust, believing that the Lord will indeed direct our paths when we commit them to Him, as encouraged in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart"). This verse reminds us that when God's will becomes evident, whether through clear guidance, confirmed circumstances, or the counsel of godly wisdom, our most appropriate response is one of humble obedience and joyful acceptance. It speaks to the deep peace and assurance found in knowing that our most important relationships and life choices are not left to chance, but are providentially guided by a faithful God who works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's active providence in the story of Isaac and Rebekah encourage you in your own life decisions?**
* **What steps can you take to better discern God's "spoken word" or leading in your current circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's clear direction, and how does this passage inspire you to trust His timing and orchestration?**

### FAQ
**What does the opening word "Behold" signify in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word *hinneh*, translated as "Behold," is an emphatic interjection used to draw immediate and urgent attention to what follows. In [Genesis 24:51](/genesis/24-51 "Genesis 24:51 KJV"), it underscores the undeniable and self-evident nature of Rebekah's presence and the divine confirmation of the situation, signaling that the truth is plainly visible and requires no further proof. It implies a recognition that the outcome is not coincidental but divinely appointed.

**Why is the family's consent so readily given in this verse?**

Answer: The family's ready consent is not merely cultural politeness or a swift negotiation but a profound acknowledgment of divine intervention. Having heard the servant's detailed account of the specific signs at the well, the remarkable journey, and the clear answers to prayer, they recognize that the entire arrangement is "as the LORD hath spoken." Their consent is therefore an act of submission to what they perceive as God's clear and undeniable will, rather than a mere human negotiation or a matter of personal preference. They understood that to resist would be to resist God Himself, as stated in [Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel's Response").

**How does this passage demonstrate God's providence in human affairs?**

Answer: This passage vividly illustrates God's providence through the meticulous orchestration of events. From Abraham's instruction to the servant's prayer for a specific sign, to Rebekah's precise fulfillment of that sign, and finally to the family's recognition of God's hand, every step is divinely guided. The phrase "as the LORD hath spoken" explicitly attributes the successful outcome to God's active, intentional, and faithful direction of circumstances to fulfill His purposes for His covenant people. It shows that God is sovereign over all details, even seemingly mundane ones, to accomplish His grand redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divinely orchestrated marriage of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24 serves as a profound Old Testament type, richly foreshadowing the relationship between Christ and His Church. Isaac, the son of promise through whom Abraham's lineage would continue, prefigures Jesus Christ, the ultimate Son of God and heir of all things, as highlighted in [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Jesus, the Heir of All Things"). The unnamed servant, faithfully dispatched by Abraham to seek a bride for his son from a distant land and bring her to him, beautifully illustrates the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, sent by the Father, seeks and gathers the Church (the bride) from among the nations, convicting hearts and preparing them for union with Christ, as Jesus promised in [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit as Helper") and [John 16:7-11](/john/16-7-11 "The Spirit's Work of Conviction"). Just as Rebekah's family acknowledged God's definitive word in her union with Isaac, so too is the Church's union with Christ a divinely appointed reality, established by God's eternal decree and brought to fruition through the Spirit's work, culminating in the glorious marriage supper of the Lamb described in [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"). This narrative underscores God's meticulous faithfulness in bringing about His redemptive plan through chosen vessels, ultimately culminating in the eternal and glorious union of Christ and His redeemed bride, the Church, as beautifully depicted in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's Love for the Church").

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

2 Samuel 16:10

And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

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 20:15

And Abimelech said, Behold, my land [is] before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.