Genesis 24:59

KJV

And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they sent away {H7971} Rebekah {H7259} their sister {H269}, and her nurse {H3243}, and Abraham's {H85} servant {H5650}, and his men {H582}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they sent their sister Rivkah away, with her nurse, Avraham's servant and his men.

Berean Standard Bible

So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.

American Standard Version

And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:59 records the pivotal moment of Rebekah's official departure from her family in Paddan-Aram, signifying the immediate and decisive action taken to send her to Canaan to become Isaac's wife. This verse encapsulates the successful culmination of Abraham's servant's providential mission, highlighting Rebekah's willing obedience and the formal transfer of care, ensuring the continuation of the promised covenantal lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the direct narrative consequence of Rebekah's decisive consent to leave her family and go with Abraham's servant. The preceding verses detail the servant's successful mission, his providential encounter with Rebekah at the well, and the subsequent recognition by her family, Laban and Bethuel, that the entire affair was orchestrated by the Lord [Genesis 24:50](/genesis/24-50 "Laban and Bethuel Acknowledge God's Hand"). Despite her family's request for her to remain for "some ten days" [Genesis 24:55](/genesis/24-55 "Rebekah's Family Requests Delay"), Rebekah's resolute declaration, "I will go" [Genesis 24:58](/genesis/24-58 "Rebekah's Willingness to Depart"), precipitates the immediate action described in verse 59. This verse, therefore, marks the literal commencement of her journey to Canaan, setting the stage for her encounter with Isaac.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage arrangements were typically negotiated between families, often involving a bride-price and formal agreements. The sending off of a bride was a significant event, often accompanied by blessings and a retinue to ensure her safe passage and honor. The inclusion of Rebekah's nurse underscores her status and the provision made for her comfort and well-being during such a monumental transition, reflecting the deep personal bond that often existed between a child and their nurse in wealthy households. The long journey from Paddan-Aram (likely Haran or Nahor in Mesopotamia) to Canaan was arduous and dangerous, necessitating a well-equipped and protected entourage, which the mention of "Abraham's servant, and his men" confirms.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 24, culminating in this verse, powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Providence and Guidance**, as God meticulously orchestrates every detail of the servant's mission to secure a wife for Isaac, ensuring the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant. It also highlights the theme of **Faith and Obedience**, particularly through Rebekah's willingness to leave the familiar for the unknown, mirroring Abraham's own journey of faith in [Genesis 12:1-4](/genesis/12-1-4 "God's Call to Abraham"). The narrative further emphasizes the **Importance of Lineage and Covenant Succession**, as the entire chapter is dedicated to securing the next generation through whom God's promises will be fulfilled, a theme foundational to the patriarchal narratives found throughout [the book of Genesis](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent away (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** From H7971, a primitive root meaning "to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)." In this context, it signifies a formal, decisive, and final act of dismissal or dispatch. It conveys the idea of releasing Rebekah from her family's care and sending her forth on her new journey and destiny, underscoring the completion of the familial agreement.
* **nurse (Hebrew, _yânaq'_):** From H3243, a primitive root meaning "to suck; causatively, to give milk." This term specifically refers to a wet nurse or one who suckles a child, but by extension, it came to refer to a lifelong attendant or companion who had cared for the individual from infancy. Her presence signifies Rebekah's status and the provision made for her comfort, emotional support, and continued care during this significant life transition.
* **servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed'_):** From H5650, meaning "a servant" or "bondman." This word denotes a person in a position of subservience or service. In this narrative, it refers to Abraham's trusted chief servant (traditionally identified as Eliezer), whose loyalty, diligence, and prayerful reliance on God were instrumental in the success of his mission to find a wife for Isaac. The term emphasizes his role as an agent fulfilling his master's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sent away Rebekah their sister,"**: This clause describes the formal and immediate action taken by Rebekah's family (Laban and Bethuel, representing the household) to dispatch her. The use of "their sister" emphasizes the familial bond and the significance of this separation, as she leaves her kin to join a new family and lineage. This act is a direct response to Rebekah's own willingness to depart, signifying the family's blessing and release.
* **"and her nurse,"**: The inclusion of Rebekah's nurse highlights the provision for her comfort and continued care. This detail underscores Rebekah's importance and the family's desire to ensure her well-being during the long and transformative journey. The nurse would serve as a familiar face and trusted companion in an entirely new environment, providing emotional and practical support.
* **"and Abraham's servant, and his men."**: This final clause identifies the escorts responsible for Rebekah's safe passage. "Abraham's servant" is the central figure who initiated and successfully completed the mission, while "his men" indicate the presence of additional attendants and security for the journey. This detail emphasizes the substantial nature of the traveling party, reflecting the distance and importance of the mission to secure Isaac's bride.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Conciseness** to convey a momentous event with remarkable brevity, focusing on the immediate action of departure. The simple declarative sentence structure provides a sense of finality and purpose. The inclusion of specific individuals—Rebekah, her nurse, Abraham's servant, and his men—uses **Synecdoche** (or **Metonymy**) where the parts represent the whole, effectively communicating the full scope of the departing party and the significance of each participant's role in this pivotal journey. Furthermore, the act of "sending away" itself carries **Symbolism**, representing not merely a physical departure but a spiritual and covenantal transition, as Rebekah leaves her past behind to embrace a new identity and destiny within the promised lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:59 is a crucial juncture in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. Rebekah's departure signifies the successful continuation of the covenant line, ensuring that the promises of a great nation and a blessing to all peoples will be fulfilled through Isaac's offspring. This moment underscores God's meticulous faithfulness in providing for His chosen people, even in the intricate details of securing a spouse, demonstrating His sovereign hand guiding human affairs towards His ultimate redemptive purposes. The entire chapter, culminating in this verse, serves as a powerful testament to the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency, as Rebekah's willing consent ("I will go") aligns perfectly with God's preordained plan.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call to Abraham and His Covenant Promises")
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Abraham's Obedience of Faith")
* [Genesis 24:67](/genesis/24-67 "Isaac and Rebekah's Marriage and Comfort")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:59, though brief, offers profound insights into significant life transitions and the importance of trusting God's guidance. Like Rebekah, we are often called to step into the unknown, leaving familiar comforts, relationships, or past ways of life for a path God has prepared. This verse encourages us to seek and trust divine guidance when making life-altering choices, even when the future is uncertain, reminding us that every "sending away" or departure can be an opportunity for a new beginning, marked by faith and hope in God's providence. Furthermore, the presence of Rebekah's nurse signifies the importance of support systems during times of transition, highlighting how trusted companions, mentors, or spiritual guides can provide comfort, wisdom, and stability as we navigate new phases of life, echoing the biblical principle of community and mutual support in our spiritual journeys.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "familiar" things might God be calling you to "send away" in your life to step into a new season of faith or obedience?**
* **How does Rebekah's willingness to go, despite the unknown, challenge or encourage your own trust in God's leading?**
* **Who are the "nurses" or trusted companions in your life who provide support and comfort during your own transitions? How can you better appreciate or utilize their presence?**

### FAQ

**Why was Rebekah's nurse sent with her?**

Answer: Rebekah's nurse, later identified as Deborah in [Genesis 35:8](/genesis/35-8 "Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies"), was sent with her primarily to provide comfort, care, and companionship during her long and arduous journey from Paddan-Aram to Canaan, and during her significant transition into a new family and land. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, nurses often developed deep, lifelong bonds with the children they cared for, functioning almost as extended family members or confidantes. Her presence underscored Rebekah's status as a valued bride and ensured her well-being, providing a familiar and trusted presence in an entirely new and potentially overwhelming environment. This practice was a sign of honor and affection, ensuring the bride was well-attended and supported as she embarked on her new life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Rebekah's journey from her homeland to a new life with Isaac, whom she had never met, serves as a profound prefigurement of the Church, the Bride of Christ. Just as Rebekah was chosen and called out by Abraham's servant—a faithful agent sent by the father—to be united with Isaac, so too is the Church called out by the Holy Spirit (the "servant" of the Father, sent by Christ) from the world to be united with Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom. Rebekah's decisive act of leaving the familiar for the unknown, trusting in the divine leading and the servant's testimony, mirrors the believer's call to forsake the old life and follow Christ in faith, anticipating the ultimate union and eternal inheritance promised in Him. This narrative underscores God's meticulous provision for His Son's bride, culminating in a covenantal union that ultimately points to Christ's sacrificial love for His Church, "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's Love for the Church"). The journey of faith initiated in this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in the glorious reality of the "marriage supper of the Lamb" [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"), where Christ and His redeemed people are eternally united.

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 35:8

But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.

1 Thessalonians 2:5

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:

Numbers 11:12

Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

Genesis 24:60

And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou [art] our sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

Genesis 24:53

And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave [them] to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

Genesis 24:50

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