the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Easy-to-Read Version
Genesis 24:28
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things.
And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.
Then Rebekah ran and told her mother's family about all these things.
The young woman ran and told her mother's household all about these things.
And the damsel ran, and told these things to her mother's house.
The young lady ran, and told her mother's house about these words.
Then the girl ran and told her mother's household what had happened.
And so the damesel ran, and telde in the hous of hir modir alle thingis whiche sche hadde herd.
And the young person runneth, and declareth to the house of her mother according to these words.
The girl ran and told her mother's household about these things.
Rebekah ran straight home and told her family everything.
The girl ran off and told her mother's household what had happened.
And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.
So the girl went running and took the news of these things to her mother's house
And the damsell ranne, and told them of her mothers house these thinges.
And the maiden ran and told these things to her mother's house.
And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.
And the damsell ranne, and told them of her mothers house, these things.
And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.
Then the girl ran and told about all this to those in her mother's house.
Then the girl ran and told her mother's household about these things.
And the young woman ran, and told the household of her mother, - according to these words.
And the maide ranne and tolde them of her mothers house according to these wordes.
Then the damsel ran, and related these things to her fathers household.
The young woman ran to her mother's house and told the whole story.
Then the maid ran, and told in her mother’s house all that she had heard.
Then the maiden ran and told her mother's household about these things.
And the damsel ran and reported to the house of her mother according to these words.
And the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these words.
The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
The young lady ran, and told her mother's house about these words.
Then the girl ran and reported these things to the household of her mother.
And the girl ran and told these things to the house of her mother.
And the damsell ranne and tolde all this in hir mothers house.
And the girl was off and running, telling everyone in her mother's house what had happened.
Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things.
So the young woman ran and told her mother's household these things.
The young woman ran home to tell her family everything that had happened.
Then the girl ran and told her mother's household about these things.
Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
of: Genesis 24:48, Genesis 24:55, Genesis 24:67, Genesis 31:33
her mother's: Some have conjectured from this, that her father Bethuel was dead; and the person called Bethuel - Genesis 24:50, was a younger brother. This is possible; but as Dr. A. Clarke remarks, the mother's house might be mentioned were even the father alive; for in Asiatic countries, the women have apartments entirely separate from those of the men, in which their little children and grown-up daughters reside with them. This was probably the case here; though, from the whole narrative, it is very probable that Bethuel was dead, as the whole business appears to be conducted by Rebekah's brothers.
Reciprocal: Genesis 29:12 - and she
Cross-References
I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord . I praised the Lord , the God of my master Abraham. I thanked him for leading me straight to the granddaughter of my master's brother.
Rebekah's mother and her brother said, "Let Rebekah stay with us for a short time. Let her stay with us ten days. After that she can go."
Then Isaac brought the girl into his mother's tent. Rebekah became his wife that day. Isaac loved her very much. So he was comforted after his mother's death.
So Laban went and looked through Jacob's camp. He looked in Jacob's tent and then in Leah's tent. Then he looked in the tent where the two slave women stayed, but he did not find the gods from his house. Then he went into Rachel's tent.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And the damsel ran,.... Having invited him to come and lodge at her father's house, that he might not be brought in abruptly, she ran before to acquaint the family of what had passed:
and told [them] of her mother's house these things; she did not go to her father to inform him of it; some think he was dead, as Josephus g, but the contrary appears from Genesis 24:50; rather the reason was, because her mother had an house, a tent, or an apartment to herself, as women in those times and places used to have, see Genesis 24:67; and because daughters are generally more free to converse with their mothers and impart things to them than to their fathers, which may be the true reason of Rebekah's conduct.
g Antiqu. l. 1. c. 16. sect. 2.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
- The Marriage of Isaac
26. ×§×¨× qaÌdad, âbow the head.â ×ש×ת××× shaÌchaÌh, âbow the body.â
29. ××× laÌbaÌn, âLaban, white.â
In this circumstantial account of the marriage of Isaac, we have a beautiful picture of ancient manners in the East, the living original of which the present customs of that cradle of mankind are a striking copy.
Genesis 24:1-9
Abraham binds the chief servant of his house to seek a wife for his son Isaac among his kindred. The first movement in this matrimonial arrangement is on the part of the father, who does not consult his son, but the chief manager of his household affairs. Abraham is now a hundred and forty years of age, and Sarah has been three years dead. Isaac seems to have been of an easy, sedate turn of mind, and was not in circumstances to choose a partner for life such as his father would approve. The promise of a numerous offspring by the son of Sarah is before the mind of the patriarch. All these considerations impel him to look out for a suitable wife for his son, and the blessing of the Lord encourages him to proceed. The person whom Abraham intrusted with this delicate task has a threefold designation. First, he is âhis servantâ or minister. Secondly, he is the old man, ancient, or elder of his house. Here the term âelderâ approaches its official signification. In early times age was taken into account, along with good conduct and aptitude, as the qualification for services of trust. Thirdly, he âruled over all that he had.â He was therefore a master as well as a minister. If this be Eliezer of mascus Genesis 15:2, he was the steward of Abraham before the birth of Ishmael fifty-four Years ago. âUnder my thigh.â The thigh was the seat of generative power, and the region of sacramental consecration, and to put the hand under the thigh was to acknowledge and pledge obedience to him who requires the oath.
Genesis 24:3-4
The appeal is to God as âYahweh, God of heaven and God of the earth.â Yahweh is the personal name of God, which is properly used by those who are in fellowship with him. He is the Author of all being, and therefore of heaven and earth; and hence the arbiter of the destiny of the oath-taker, both in spiritual and material things, both in this life and in what is to come. âNot of the daughters of the Kenaanite,â a race sinking fast into ungodliness and unrighteousness, doomed to extirpation, to whom the promised seed is to succeed. The kindred of Abraham were Shemites, Hebrews, and still retained some knowledge of the true God, and some reverence for him and his will. The experienced elder of Abrahamâs house does not wish to bind himself by an oath to what it may be impossible to fulfill. He makes the supposition of the unwillingness of the bride whom he may select, and obtains a quittance from his oath in that ease. The patriarch, however, charges him not to bring his son back to the land of his fathers, and expresses his confidence in the God of promise, that he will direct his servant to the suitable wife for his son. âHis angelâ Genesis 16:7. This is the Lord in the function of an angel or messenger opening the way for the servant of Abraham. He does not make any appearance to the servant, though a superintending Providence is strikingly displayed in the whole affair. The faithful elder now understands and takes the required oath.
Genesis 24:10-14
He proceeds on his journey. âTook ten camels.â These are designed for conducting the bride and her companions home to his master. âAll the best belonging to his master in his hand.â This refers to the presents for the bride and her friends, and to the accommodations for her comfort on the journey. âAram-Naharaim.â Aram was an extensive area, embracing not only the country west of the Frat and north of Palestine, but the northern part of Mesopotamia, or the country between the Frat and the Dijlah. The latter region is for the sake of distinction called Aram of the two rivers. It did not include the southern part of Mesopotamia, which was called Shinar Genesis 11:2, and probably extended only to the Chaboras, Khabour. The part of it in which Haran was situated was called Padan-aram Genesis 28:2. âThe city of Nahor.â It is probable that Nahor accompanied his father, Terah, to Haran Genesis 11:31. If not, he must have followed him very soon.
Genesis 24:11
Made the camels kneel, - for repose. âThe time when the maidens that draw water come out.â The evening was the cool part of the day. The simple maidens of primitive days attended personally to domestic affairs. The experienced steward might therefore naturally expect to see the high-born damsels of the land at the public well, which had probably given rise to the neighboring town. The prayer of the aged servant is conceived in a spirit of earnest, childlike faith. The matter in hand is of extraordinary importance. A wife is to be found for the heir of promise. This was a special concern of God, and so the single-hearted follower of Abraham makes it. He takes upon himself the choice of a maiden among those that come to draw, to whom he will make the request of a particular act of kindness to a stranger, and he prays God that the intended bride may be known by a ready compliance with his request. The three qualifications, then, in the mind of the venerable domestic for a bride for his masterâs son, are a pleasing exterior, a kindly disposition, and the approval of God.
Genesis 24:15-21
The answer is immediate and direct. âHe had not yet done speaking,â when the answer came. A damsel âvery fair to look upon,â satisfying the taste of the old man, appears. He thereupon prefers his request, with which she promptly complies. The old man waits in wonder and silence to see if the Lordâs approval will follow.
Genesis 24:22-28
Rebekah makes herself known in reply to his inquiries. âA ring of gold.â The single ring was worn in the nose, the side cartilage of which was pierced for the purpose. This is a custom of the East. âA bekaâ was half a shekel, somewhat less than a quarter of an ounce. âTen of gold in weight.â Ten bekas would be about two ounces and a quarter. If shekels, however, be understood, the weight will be double. These were merely a reward for her kindness and courtesy to a stranger. Two questions are now asked by the stranger - the one relating to her kindred, and the other to the means and the inclination they had to entertain a stranger, when inns were not yet in existence. She announces herself to be the daughter of his masterâs nephew, and assures him of the requisite accommodation.
Genesis 24:26-27
Bowed his head and worshipped. - The bowing of the head and of the body are here combined to indicate the aged servantâs deep thankfulness for the guidance of the Lord. The utterance of the mouth accompanies the external gesture of reverence. âHer motherâs house;â those who were in the department of the females. We may imagine with what excitement and alacrity Rebekah would communicate the extraordinary intelligence.
Genesis 24:29-33
The reception of Abrahamâs servant. Laban now comes on the scene. He is ready to run with his sister to find the man, and invite him, as a matter of course, to his fatherâs house. âWhen he saw the ring.â The presents to his sister assure him that this is the envoy of some man of wealth and position. âThou blessed of the Lord.â The name of Yahweh was evidently not unfamiliar to Labanâs ears. He calls this stranger âblessed of Yahweh,â on account of his language, demeanor, and manifest prosperity. The knowledge and worship of the living God, the God of truth and mercy, was still retained in the family of Nahor. Being warmly invited, the man enters the house. âAnd he ungirded the camels.â Laban is the actor here, and in the following duties of hospitality. âThe menâs feet that were with him.â It comes out here, incidentally, as it was reasonable to infer from the number of camels, that Abrahamâs steward had a retinue of servants with him. The crowning act of an Eastern reception is the presenting of food. But the faithful servant must deliver his message before partaking of the friendly meal.
Verse 34-49
The servantâs errand is told. He explains his business in a singularly artless and pleasing manner. He then leaves the matter in the hands of the family. âGiven unto him all that he hath.â His children by Hagar and Keturah were dismissed with portions during his life, and the main bulk of his property was conveyed to Isaac.
Genesis 24:50-61
The servantâs return with Rebekah. So plain an interposition of Providence admits of no refusal on the part of those who revere the Lord. Bethuel now appears as a concurring party. Laban, as the full brother of Rebekah, has a voice in the disposal of her hand; but the father only has the power to ratify the contract. The patriarchâs servant first bows in acknowledgment to the Lord, who had now manifested his approval of the choice he had made, and then proceeds to distribute costly gifts to the bride, and to her brother and mother. Now at length the thankful guest partakes of the fare set before him along with his entertainers, and after the nightâs repose requests to be dismissed. âA few days;â perhaps a week or ten days. The mother and brother naturally plead for a little time to prepare for parting with Rebekah. They could not expect the servant, however, to stay months.
âInquire at her mouth.â This is the only free choice in the matter that seems to be given to Rebekah. Her consent may have been modestly indicated, before her family ratified the contract. It is plain, however, that it was thought proper that the parents should receive and decide upon a proposal of marriage. The extent to which the maidenâs inclinations would be consulted would depend very much on the custom of the country, and the intelligence and good feeling of the parents. In later times the custom became very arbitrary. Rebekahâs decision shows that she concurred in the consent of her relatives. âAnd her nurse.â Her name, we learn afterward Genesis 35:8, was Deborah. The nurse accompanied the bride as her confidential adviser and faithful attendant, and died in her service; a beautiful trait of ancient manners. The blessing consists in a boundless offspring, and the upper hand over their enemies. These are indicative of a thin population, and a comparatively rude state of society. âAnd her damsels.â We here learn, again, incidentally, that Rebekah had more female attendants than her nurse.
Genesis 24:62-67
Isaac receives his bride. He had been at Beer-lahai-roi, the scene of the interview of Hagar with the angel of the Lord - a spot calculated to awaken thoughts of an overruling Providence. âTo meditate.â This is a characteristic of Isaacâs retiring, contemplative mood. Abraham was the active, authoritative father; Isaac was the passive, submissive son. To meditate was to hold converse with his own thoughts, to ponder on the import of that never-to-be-forgotten scene when he was laid on the altar by a fatherâs hand, and a ram caught in the thicket became his substitute, and to pour out his soul unto the God of his salvation. In this hour of his grave reflection comes his destined bride with her faithful escort upon his view. Rebekah lights off the camel. Doubtless the conversation by the way with the elder of Abrahamâs house had made her aware of their approach to the residence of her future husband.
She concludes at once that this must be he, and, alighting, asks if it be. On being informed by the servant that this is his young master, she puts on the veil, which covers the head, and hangs down gracefully both behind and before. The aged servant reports the success of his mission, and presents Rebekah. Isaac brings his cousinâs daughter into the apartments formerly occupied by his mother, and accepts her as his wife. The formalities of the interview, and of her presentation to Abraham as his daughter-in-law, are all untold. âAnd he loved her.â This is the first mention of the social affections. It comes in probably because Isaac had not before seen his bride, and now felt his heart drawn toward her, when she was presented to his view. All things were evidently done in the fear of God, as became those who were to be the progenitors of the seed of promise. We have here a description of the primeval marriage. It is a simple taking of a woman for a wife before all witnesses, and with suitable feelings and expression of reverence toward God, and of desire for his blessing. It is a pure and holy relation, reaching back into the realms of innocence, and fit to be the emblem of the humble, confiding, affectionate union between the Lord and his people.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Genesis 24:28. Her mother's house — Some have conjectured from this that her father Bethuel was dead; and the person called Bethuel, Genesis 24:50, was a younger brother. This is possible, but the mother's house might be mentioned were even the father alive; for in Asiatic countries the women have apartments entirely separate from those of the men, in which their little children and grown-up daughters reside with them. This was probably the case here, though it is very likely that Bethuel was dead, as the whole business appears to be conducted by Rebekah's brothers.
