Laban and Bethuel answeredLaban and Bethuel are key figures in this narrative. Laban, Rebekah's brother, and Bethuel, her father, represent the family authority. In ancient Near Eastern culture, family decisions, especially regarding marriage, were communal and patriarchal. Their involvement underscores the importance of family consent in marriage arrangements. Laban's later actions in Genesis, particularly with Jacob, reveal his character as shrewd and opportunistic, which contrasts with his current acceptance of God's will.
This is from the LORD
The acknowledgment that the situation is from the LORD reflects a recognition of divine providence. In the patriarchal narratives, God's guidance is a recurring theme, emphasizing His sovereignty and involvement in human affairs. This statement aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's plans being fulfilled despite human intentions, as seen in Joseph's story (Genesis 50:20). It also highlights the belief in God's active role in orchestrating events for His purposes.
we have no choice in the matter
This phrase indicates submission to God's will, a common theme in Scripture where human plans yield to divine purposes. It reflects the cultural and religious understanding of the time that God's will is ultimate and should be obeyed. This submission is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to seek and follow God's will (James 4:15). The phrase also prefigures the concept of divine election and predestination, where God's plans are seen as unchangeable and certain.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
LabanBrother of Rebekah, known for his role in the account of Jacob and his daughters Leah and Rachel. Here, he is involved in the decision regarding Rebekah's marriage to Isaac.
2.
BethuelFather of Rebekah, mentioned here as part of the decision-making process. His role is more passive compared to Laban's.
3.
RebekahThe woman chosen to be Isaac's wife, central to the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding his descendants.
4.
The LORDThe covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who orchestrates events according to His divine will.
5.
The Servant of AbrahamTasked with finding a wife for Isaac, he is a faithful servant who seeks God's guidance and acknowledges His providence.
Teaching Points
Divine SovereigntyRecognize God's hand in the events of our lives. Just as Laban and Bethuel acknowledged God's will, we should seek to discern and submit to His plans.
Faithful ObedienceLike Abraham's servant, we should act in faith and obedience, trusting God to guide our steps and fulfill His promises.
Family and Community DecisionsThe involvement of Laban and Bethuel highlights the importance of family and community in making significant life decisions, encouraging us to seek wise counsel.
Acknowledging God's WillLaban and Bethuel's response teaches us to acknowledge God's will in our lives, even when it requires surrendering our own plans.
Providence in RelationshipsThe account of Isaac and Rebekah reminds us that God is involved in our relationships and can guide us to the right partnerships.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 24:50?
2.How does Genesis 24:50 demonstrate God's sovereignty in decision-making processes?
3.What role does divine guidance play in Genesis 24:50's narrative?
4.How can we apply Genesis 24:50's trust in God to our daily decisions?
5.What scriptural connections exist between Genesis 24:50 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
6.How does Genesis 24:50 encourage reliance on God's will over personal desires?
7.How does Genesis 24:50 demonstrate God's sovereignty in human decisions and actions?
8.What role does divine guidance play in the events of Genesis 24:50?
9.How does Genesis 24:50 reflect the cultural practices of ancient Near Eastern societies?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 24?
11.Who was Laban in the Bible?
12.How did biblical cultural norms affect women's marriage choices?
13.Judges 19:2—What historical or cultural factors would explain why the Levite’s concubine stayed with her father instead of returning home?
14.Why does Song of Solomon 8:8–9 mention the brothers’ protective stance, yet offer no clear historical context or evidence of such customs in ancient Israel?What Does Genesis 24:50 Mean
Laban and Bethuel answered• Two voices speak as one. Rebekah’s brother and father together represent the household’s authority, echoing earlier patriarchal scenes where family heads decide marriage matters (Genesis 24:29–31; 29:19; 34:11-12).
• The servant’s narrative has convinced them. From the jewelry Rebekah received (24:22) to the servant’s retelling of his prayer (24:42-48), every detail aligns too perfectly to dismiss. Their unified reply mirrors the unity shown by Abraham’s servant and Isaac’s unseen presence, preparing for covenant continuity (24:1-9).
• God often moves multiple witnesses to confirm His plans—as when Moses and Aaron speak together before Pharaoh (Exodus 4:29-31) or when Peter and John agree inActs 3–4. Here, father and son agree, ensuring the decision is unmistakably valid.
This is from the LORD• They openly acknowledge Yahweh’s hand. The phrase parallels the servant’s repeated confession, “The LORD has prospered my way” (Genesis 24:27, 40, 42).
• Recognition of divine orchestration turns a routine marriage negotiation into worship.Psalm 118:23 echoes, “This is from the LORD; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
• Their words fulfill the servant’s original request that God “show kindness to my master Abraham” (24:12-14).Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.”
• By giving God credit, Laban and Bethuel unwittingly affirm the covenant promise that Abraham’s line will be blessed and guided (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:16-18).
We have no choice in the matter• Literally, “We cannot speak to you bad or good,” meaning they refuse to oppose or even negotiate against God’s revealed will. Similar surrender appears in1 Samuel 3:18—“He is the LORD; let Him do what is good in His eyes”—and again inActs 11:17 when Peter says, “Who was I to think that I could oppose God?”
• Their resignation isn’t fatalistic; it’s faithful. They still will ask Rebekah for her consent (24:57-58), but the decision’s direction is settled.
• Submission to God’s sovereignty is the fitting response when His purposes are obvious:
– Balaam must bless Israel, not curse (Numbers 24:12-13).
– Gamaliel counsels, “If it is from God, you will not be able to stop it” (Acts 5:38-39).
• The line preserves moral agency (Rebekah will choose) while declaring that final authority rests with the Lord—a tension consistently affirmed throughout Scripture (Genesis 50:20;Philippians 2:12-13).
summaryGenesis 24:50 captures a decisive moment where human authority bows to divine initiative. Laban and Bethuel, representing Rebekah’s family, recognize that the remarkable chain of events guiding Abraham’s servant cannot be explained except as God’s doing. Acknowledging this, they relinquish their own preferences, illustrating proper submission to the Lord’s sovereign plan. Their response safeguards the promised line of Abraham, sets Rebekah on the path to become Isaac’s wife, and models for every believer the wisdom of yielding when God’s will is unmistakably revealed.
(50)
Laban and Bethuel.--See Note on
Genesis 24:28. Even when thus tardily mentioned, the father is placed after the brother; and of this we need look for no further explanation than that by polygamy the father was estranged from his own children, while each separate family held very closely together. Thus when Dinah was wronged, it was two of her mother's sons, Simeon and Levi, who avenged her (
Genesis 34:13-25); and so it was Absalom who avenged Tamar (
2Samuel 13:22). Still, Bethuel's consent was finally necessary; but as soon as it was given all active arrangements were left to the mother and Laban (
Genesis 24:53-55), and Bethuel is mentioned no more.
Verses 50-52. -
Then Laban and Bethuel (
vide on ver. 29)
answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord:
- Jehovah (
vide on ver. 31) -
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. ver. 26).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Labanלָבָ֤ן(lā·ḇān)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837:Laban -- father-in-law of Jacoband Bethuelוּבְתוּאֵל֙(ū·ḇə·ṯū·’êl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1328:Bethuel -- perhaps 'man of God', a nephew of Abrahamanswered,וַיַּ֨עַן(way·ya·‘an)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030:To answer, respond“This is fromיָצָ֣א(yā·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximthe LORD;מֵיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelwe have noלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nochoice in the matter.הַדָּבָ֑ר(had·dā·ḇār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a cause
Links
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Genesis 24:50 BibleApps.comGenesis 24:50 Biblia ParalelaGenesis 24:50 Chinese BibleGenesis 24:50 French BibleGenesis 24:50 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Genesis 24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered The thing (Gen. Ge Gn)