Topical Encyclopedia
Bethuel is a significant biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily within the context of the patriarchal narratives. He is recognized as a member of the family lineage that plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises to Abraham and his descendants.
Genealogy and FamilyBethuel is introduced in the genealogical records as the son of Nahor and Milcah. Nahor is the brother of Abraham, making Bethuel Abraham's nephew. This connection places Bethuel within the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. Bethuel's lineage is detailed in
Genesis 22:20-23: "Some time later, Abraham was told, 'Milcah has also borne sons to your brother Nahor: Uz the firstborn, his brother Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.' And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah."
Bethuel's most notable contribution to biblical history is through his daughter, Rebekah. Rebekah becomes a central figure as the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son, and the mother of Jacob and Esau. This connection further intertwines Bethuel's family with the Abrahamic covenant, as Jacob, later named Israel, becomes the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Role in the Patriarchal NarrativeBethuel's role is primarily seen in the account of Isaac's marriage to Rebekah. In
Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own relatives. The servant travels to the city of Nahor and encounters Rebekah, who is described as "the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor" (
Genesis 24:15). The servant's successful mission is attributed to God's providence, and Bethuel's household is portrayed as receptive to the divine plan.
When the servant explains his mission and the signs that led him to Rebekah, Bethuel and Laban, Rebekah's brother, acknowledge the Lord's hand in the matter. They respond, "This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. Rebekah is here before you; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has decreed" (
Genesis 24:50-51). This response highlights Bethuel's recognition of God's sovereignty and his willingness to participate in the unfolding of God's promises.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceBethuel's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of family lineage and the fulfillment of divine promises through specific familial lines. His role, though not extensively detailed, is pivotal in the continuation of the covenantal line from Abraham to Isaac and beyond. The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, facilitated by Bethuel's family, is a key event in the establishment of the nation of Israel.
Bethuel's account also reflects the broader theme of God's providence and guidance in the lives of the patriarchs. The successful union of Isaac and Rebekah, orchestrated through Bethuel's family, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants.
In summary, Bethuel is a figure whose significance is primarily derived from his familial connections and his role in the divine narrative of the patriarchs. His acknowledgment of God's will and his participation in the covenantal history highlight the intricate ways in which God works through individuals and families to accomplish His purposes.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Bethuelfiliation of God
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bethuel(dweller in God), the son of Nahor by Milcah; nephew of Abraham, and father of Rebekah, (Genesis 22:22,23;24:15,24,47;28:2) In (Genesis 25:20) and (Genesis 28:5) he is called "Bethuel the Syrian."
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Man of God, or virgin of God, or house of God.
(1.) The son of Nahor by Milcah; nephew of Abraham, and father of Rebekah (Genesis 22:22, 23;24:15, 24, 47). He appears in person only once (24:50).
(2.) A southern city of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:30); called also Bethul (Joshua 19:4) and Bethel (12:16;1 Samuel 30:27).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETHUEL (1)be-thu'-el (bethu'el; "dweller in God"): A son of Nahor and Milcah, Abraham's nephew, father of Laban and Rebekah (Genesis 22:23;Genesis 24:15, 24, 47, 50; 25:20:00; 28:2, 5). In the last-named passage, he is surnamed "the Syrian." The only place where he appears as a leading character in the narrative is in connection with Rebekah's betrothal to Isaac; and even here, his son Laban stands out more prominently than he-a fact explainable on the ground of the custom which recognized the right of the brother to take a special interest in the welfare of the sister (compareGenesis 34:5, 21, 252 Samuel 13:20, 22). Ant, I, xvi, 2 states that Bethuel was dead at this time.
Frank E. Hirsch
BETHUEL (2)
be-thu'-el, beth'-u-el (bethu'el, "destroyed of God"): A town of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:30), the same as Bethul (Joshua 19:4), and, probably, as the Beth-el of1 Samuel 30:27.
Strong's Hebrew
1328b.Bethuel -- a place in Simeon... 1328a, 1328b.
Bethuel. 1329 . a place in Simeon. Transliteration:
Bethuel Short Definition:
Bethuel. Word Origin from the same as
...1328a.Bethuel -- perhaps "man of God," a nephew of Abraham
... 1328, 1328a.Bethuel. 1328b . perhaps "man of God," a nephew of Abraham.
Transliteration:Bethuel Short Definition:Bethuel. Word...
1328. Bthuw'el -- perhaps "man of God," a nephew of Abraham
... Bthuw'el. 1328a . perhaps "man of God," a nephew of Abraham. Transliteration:
Bthuw'el Phonetic Spelling: (beth-oo-ale') Short Definition:Bethuel.Bethuel...
1329. Bethul -- a place in Simeon
... fromBethuel Definition a place in Simeon NASB Word Usage Bethul (1).Bethuel. For
Bthuw'el; Bethul (ieBethuel), a place in Palestine --Bethuel....
Library
Chapter xxviii
... Up, go to Paddan-aram, to the home ofBethuel, thy mother's father, and take a wife
to thyself from the daughters of Laban, thy mother's brother....
Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... him saying: I charge thee in no wise to take a wife of the kindred of Canaan, but
go and walk into Mesopotamia of Syria, unto the house ofBethuel, father of...
How Every Nation was Denominated from their First Inhabitants.
... Now Nahor had eight sons by Milcha; Uz and Buz, Kemuel, Chesed, Azau,
Pheldas, Jadelph, andBethuel. These were all the genuine...
Guidance in the Way
... He had not made up his mind, 'Bethuel's daughter is a relation of my master's, and
so she will be a suitable wife for his son.' He left it all with God, and...
Chapter xxiv
... And it came to pass before he had finished speaking, that, behold, there came forth
Rebekah, who had been born toBethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Nahor, the...
How Isaac Took Rebeka to Wife.
... "They," says she, "call me Rebeka; my father wasBethuel, but he is dead; and Laban
is my brother; and, together with my mother, takes care of all our family...
Of Jacob's Mission to Mesopotamia to Get a Wife, and of the vision...
... Arise, fly to Mesopotamia, to the house ofBethuel, thy mother's father, and take
thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother....
Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... He had not fully finished these words with himself, but that Rebekah, daughter of
Bethuel, son of Milcah wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham, came out of the town...
Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear...
... Of the last of whom [Nahor]Bethuel thy grandfather was the son. Isaac my father
was the son of Abraham and of Sarah, who was the daughter of Haran....
Chapter xxix
... strangers Jacob can learn what he needs to know if they should happen to know Laban,
whom he here calls, "the son of Nahor" rather thenBethuel's son, naming...
Thesaurus
Bethuel (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BETHUEL (1).
... Ant, I, xvi, 2 states that
Bethuel was dead at this time. Frank E. Hirsch.
BETHUEL (2).
...Bethu'el (10 Occurrences)
Bethu'el.Bethuel, Bethu'el. Bethul .... Bethu'el (10 Occurrences). Genesis
22:22 and Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, andBethuel.' (See RSV)....
Nahor (18 Occurrences)
... Genesis 22:23Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor,
Abraham's brother. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Milcah (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 22:23Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor,
Abraham's brother. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Rebecca (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). Genesis 22:23 (AndBethuel begot Rebecca.)
These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. (DBY)....
Laban (52 Occurrences)
... White. (1.) The son ofBethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother.... Genesis
24:50 Then Laban andBethuel answered, "The thing proceeds from Yahweh....
Paddan (11 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter ofBethuel
the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife...
Padanaram (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter
ofBethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian....
Padan-aram (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca as wife, the daughter
ofBethuel the Syrian of Padan-Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian....
Paddan-aram (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:20 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...
Resources
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