Bible Commentary

Genesis 24:50-52

The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 24:50-52

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Then Laban and Bethuel (vide on ) answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord:—Jehovah (vide on )—we cannot speak unto thee bad or good—i.e. they could not demur to a proposal so clearly indicated by Divine providence; a proof of the underlying piety of those descendants of Nahor. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go,—that the consent of the maiden is not asked was not owing to the fact that, according to ancient custom, Oriental women were at the absolute disposal, in respect of marriage, of their parents and elder brothers (Bush), but to the circumstance that already it had been tacitly given by her acceptance of the bridal presents (Kalisch), or, from her amiable and pious disposition, might be taken for granted, since she, no more than they, would resist the clearly-revealed will of Jehovah (Lange, Wordsworth)—and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken. Words which again kindled the flame of reverential piety in the old man's heart, so that he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth—literally, he prostrated himself to the earth to Jehovah (cf. ).

And the servant brought forth jewels—literally, vessels (σκεύη, LXX.), the idea being that of things finished or completed; from כָּלָה, to finish (cf. ; )—of silver, and jewels (or vessels) of gold, and raiment,—covering garments, e.g. the outer robes of Orientals (, , , ; ); especially precious ones ()—and gave them to Rebekah—as betrothal presents, which are absolutely essential, and usually given with much ceremony before witnesses. He gave also to her brother and to her mother (here mentioned for the first time) precious things, מִגְדָּנֹת from מֶגֶד precious, occurring only elsewhere in and ; both times as here, in connection with gold and silver—probably describes valuable articles in general. And (having thus formally concluded the engagement) they did eat and drink,—i.e. partook of the victims which had been set before them at an earlier stage (verse 33)—he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night;—literally, and passed the night (cf. ; )—and they rose up in the morning (indicative of alacrity and zeal), and he said, Send me away unto my master—being impatient to report to Abraham the success of his expedition.

Recommended reading

More for Genesis 24:50-52

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.