Genesis 24:51

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

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}.

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

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.”

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

Commentary

Context of Genesis 24:51

Genesis chapter 24 details Abraham's mission to find a wife for his son Isaac, ensuring he would not marry a Canaanite woman. Abraham sends his most trusted servant to his homeland, Mesopotamia, with a solemn oath. The servant, upon reaching Nahor, prays for divine guidance, asking that the woman intended for Isaac would offer water not only to him but also to his camels. Rebekah appears and fulfills this precise sign. This verse, Genesis 24:51, captures the family's (Laban and Bethuel) definitive response to the servant's request, acknowledging the clear hand of God in the servant's remarkable journey and Rebekah's identity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence: The central theme is God's active involvement in orchestrating the future of His covenant people. The phrase "as the LORD hath spoken" is a direct affirmation from Rebekah's family that this union is divinely appointed, not merely a human arrangement. This echoes God's overarching plan for Abraham's lineage and the fulfillment of His promises (see Genesis 12:2).
  • Faith and Obedience: Abraham's faith in sending his servant, and the servant's diligent obedience and reliance on God's guidance, are foundational to the narrative. Their actions demonstrate a profound trust in God's ability to direct their paths, particularly as Abraham instructed his servant about the Lord sending His angel before him.
  • Biblical Marriage and Consent: The narrative highlights the importance of family consent in ancient marriage customs, but ultimately, it underscores that the most crucial consent is that of God Himself. The family's agreement here is a recognition of divine will for Isaac and Rebekah.

Linguistic Insights

The opening word, "Behold," from the Hebrew hinneh (הִנֵּה), serves to draw immediate and emphatic attention to Rebekah's presence and the undeniable truth of the situation. It signifies a divine confirmation that is plain for all to see. The concluding phrase, "as the LORD hath spoken," reinforces the conviction that this entire arrangement is not by chance but by divine decree, a testament to God's precise and active guidance in human affairs, particularly in fulfilling His covenant promises.

Practical Application

For believers today, Genesis 24:51 offers profound lessons on seeking and recognizing God's guidance in significant life decisions, especially in matters of marriage and relationships. Just as Rebekah's family recognized God's hand, we are encouraged to pray for discernment and trust that the Lord will direct our paths (as also taught in Proverbs 3:5-6). This verse reminds us that when God's will is clear, the path forward becomes evident, leading to unions and decisions that are truly blessed and aligned with His divine purpose. It speaks to the comfort and assurance found in knowing that a prudent wife (or husband) is from the LORD, as echoed in Proverbs 19:14.

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

  • 2 Samuel 16:10 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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