Genesis 25:20

KJV

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaac {H3327} was forty {H705} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he took {H3947} Rebekah {H7259} to wife {H802}, the daughter {H1323} of Bethuel {H1328} the Syrian {H761} of Padanaram {H6307}, the sister {H269} to Laban {H3837} the Syrian {H761}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yitz'chak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, the daughter of B'tu'el the Arami from Paddan-Aram and sister of Lavan the Arami, to be his wife.

Berean Standard Bible

and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

American Standard Version

and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:20 succinctly details the marriage of Isaac, Abraham's heir, to Rebekah at the age of forty. This pivotal verse provides essential biographical and geographical information about Rebekah's lineage from Bethuel and Laban, both identified as Syrians from Padanaram, underscoring the union's foundational importance for the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham.

### CONTEXT
This verse follows the account of Abraham's death and burial [Genesis 25:8](/genesis/25-8 "Abraham's Death and Burial"), serving as a concise summary of Isaac's marriage, the detailed narrative of which is found in the preceding chapter. Isaac's age of forty years at marriage highlights a significant period of waiting after his mother Sarah's death and before the birth of his own children. The selection of Rebekah, from Abraham's relatives in Haran (Padanaram), was a deliberate act of [faith and obedience to Abraham's instruction](/genesis/24-4 "Abraham's Servant Seeking a Wife for Isaac"), ensuring Isaac would not marry a Canaanite woman. Rebekah is identified as "the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram" and "the sister to Laban the Syrian," firmly placing her within Abraham's extended family and emphasizing her origin in Mesopotamia, a region later associated with Aramean (Syrian) peoples.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 25:20 provides precise details about Isaac's marriage, a crucial event for the continuation of the patriarchal line.

* **"And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife"**: This detail highlights Isaac's maturity and the significant period of waiting that preceded his marriage. His mother, Sarah, had died three years prior [Genesis 23:1](/genesis/23-1 "Sarah's Age at Death"), suggesting a period of mourning and preparation before this union. The age of forty, a common age for marriage in ancient Near Eastern contexts for men of status, also underscores the deliberate and divinely orchestrated nature of this union, rather than a hasty decision.
* **"the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian"**: This phrase meticulously identifies Rebekah's lineage and geographical origin. Bethuel was Abraham's nephew, son of Nahor [Genesis 22:23](/genesis/22-23 "Nahor's Descendants"), making Rebekah Isaac's first cousin once removed. The designation "Syrian" (Hebrew: *Arammi*, אֲרַמִּי) refers to her ethnic and geographical origin from Aram, a region in northern Mesopotamia. While "Syrian" might evoke modern Syria, in the biblical context, it refers to the Arameans, a people group with whom the Israelites shared distant kinship and frequent interaction. The geographical identifier "of Padanaram," literally "the plain of Aram," pinpoints the specific region within Mesopotamia where Bethuel and Laban resided. This was the area from which Abraham himself had originally migrated [Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah and His Family Journey to Haran"), and it was crucial for Isaac to marry from his own kin, avoiding the idolatrous Canaanite women. Laban, Rebekah's brother, would later play a significant role in Jacob's life [Genesis 29:15](/genesis/29-15 "Jacob Works for Laban"). His identification as "the Syrian" further reinforces the family's Aramean identity, emphasizing their cultural and ancestral ties to Mesopotamia.

The precise naming of Rebekah's family and origin underscores the fulfillment of Abraham's command to his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own people [Genesis 24:3-4](/genesis/24-3-4 "Abraham's Oath Regarding Isaac's Wife"), ensuring the purity of the covenant lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence and Guidance**: The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah was not a chance event but a divinely guided orchestration, meticulously detailed in [Genesis chapter 24](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/24 "The Story of Isaac and Rebekah"). God's hand was evident in leading Abraham's servant directly to Rebekah and in the family's consent, highlighting God's active involvement in the lives of His covenant people.
* **Covenant Continuity and Preservation**: This union was absolutely essential for the continuation of the [Abrahamic covenant](/genesis/12-2 "The Abrahamic Covenant"), particularly the promise of numerous descendants and a promised land. Isaac, as the son of promise, needed a wife through whom the lineage of blessing would flow, ensuring the preservation of the chosen line.
* **Patience and Reliance on God's Timing**: Isaac's age of forty at marriage underscores a significant period of waiting, especially given that his mother had died three years prior. This theme of patience and reliance on God's perfect timing is further emphasized by Rebekah's initial barrenness, detailed in the very next verse [Genesis 25:21](/genesis/25-21 "Rebekah's Barrenness and Isaac's Prayer").
* **Importance of Righteous Lineage**: Abraham's insistence that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman, and the subsequent journey to Padanaram, highlights the importance of maintaining a distinct and holy lineage for the covenant promises to be fulfilled. This foreshadows the later emphasis on Israel's separation from surrounding nations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 25:20 reminds us of God's meticulous care in fulfilling His promises across generations. For believers today, it highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in significant life decisions, such as marriage, trusting that His timing is perfect. Isaac's patient waiting for a wife, and the subsequent waiting for children, teaches us perseverance and faith in the face of delayed gratification. Just as God was faithful to Abraham and Isaac, He remains faithful to His people, orchestrating events to accomplish His divine purposes and maintain His covenant relationship, even through the seemingly ordinary details of family and lineage.

### FAQ
**Why was Isaac forty years old when he married Rebekah?**

Answer: Isaac's age of forty years at marriage signifies a period of maturity and waiting. His mother, Sarah, had died three years prior, suggesting a time of mourning and transition before this significant life event. This age also highlights the deliberate and divinely orchestrated nature of the union, rather than a hasty decision, emphasizing God's perfect timing in bringing Rebekah into his life.

**What is the significance of Rebekah being called "the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram"?**

Answer: This detailed identification is crucial for several reasons. It confirms that Rebekah came from Abraham's extended family, specifically his nephew Nahor's lineage, fulfilling Abraham's command that Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman. "Padanaram" (the plain of Aram) specifies her geographical origin in Mesopotamia, emphasizing her non-Canaanite background. The term "Syrian" (Hebrew: *Arammi*) identifies her as ethnically Aramean, a people group distinct from the Canaanites, thereby preserving the purity of the covenant lineage.

**Why is the term "Syrian" used to describe Bethuel and Laban?**

Answer: The term "Syrian" in this context is a translation of the Hebrew word *Arammi* (אֲרַמִּי), which refers to someone from Aram. This indicates their ethnic and geographical origin in Mesopotamia, specifically the region of Padanaram, which was associated with the Aramean people. It does not refer to modern Syria but rather to a distinct ancient Semitic people group with whom the Israelites shared some distant kinship and often interacted. This detail reinforces their non-Canaanite identity, which was vital for the covenant line.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, meticulously detailed and divinely orchestrated in Genesis 25:20, is a vital link in the redemptive historical chain leading to Christ. As the son of promise, Isaac's union with Rebekah ensures the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant lineage, through which the promised "seed" would ultimately come. This verse, by establishing the pure and divinely chosen line, points forward to the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, Jesus Christ [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham's Seed"). God's faithfulness in preserving this specific lineage, even through periods of waiting and potential barrenness, underscores His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, culminating in the birth of the Messiah, through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "The Blessing to All Nations Through Abraham").

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.