Rebekah at the Well

The words

1. Bethuel

   Rebekah identifies herself as Bethuel’s daughter; later, Bethuel and Laban answer the servant’s request that she become Isaac’s wife.

   Genesis 24:24 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:50–51 (opens a new tab)

2. Bracelets

   After the camels finish drinking, the servant takes two gold bracelets for Rebekah’s hands, then asks whose daughter she is.

   Genesis 24:22–23 (opens a new tab)

3. Earring

   A nose ring, in the NET Bible’s rendering.

   The KJV calls the gold ornament an earring; in the servant’s retelling, he places it on Rebekah’s face.

   Genesis 24:22 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:47 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 24:47 (opens a new tab)

4. Jewels

   After the family agrees, the servant gives Rebekah silver and gold jewels and clothing, with further precious gifts for her brother and mother.

   Genesis 24:50–53 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 24:53 (opens a new tab)

5. Laban

   Rebekah’s brother Laban runs to the well after seeing the jewelry and hearing her account, then invites the servant into the house.

   Did you know?

   Later in Genesis, Laban hears that Jacob, his sister’s son, has arrived and runs out to meet him.

   Genesis 24:29–31 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 29:13 (opens a new tab)

6. Mesopotamia

   Northern Mesopotamia, called Aram Naharaim in the NET Bible.

   The servant takes ten of Abraham’s camels to Mesopotamia, reaching the city of Nahor before stopping at the well outside the city.

   Genesis 24:10–11 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 24:10 (opens a new tab)

7. Milcah

   Genesis introduces Rebekah through Bethuel, son of Milcah and Nahor; Rebekah repeats this family connection when the servant asks who she is.

   Genesis 24:15 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:24 (opens a new tab)

8. Nahor

   The servant travels to the city of Nahor; Rebekah’s family is then traced through Nahor, whom Genesis calls Abraham’s brother.

   Genesis 24:10 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:15 (opens a new tab)

9. Padan-aram

   The later family notice places Rebekah’s father Bethuel in Padan-aram and names her as Laban’s sister, linking the place with her family.

   Genesis 25:20 (opens a new tab)

10. Pitcher

    Rebekah arrives with her pitcher on her shoulder, gives the servant a drink, then repeatedly draws water for all his camels.

    Did you know?

    A water vessel marks another well-side scene in John’s Gospel, where the woman leaves her waterpot and goes back into the city.

    Genesis 24:15; Genesis 24:18–20 (opens a new tab) · John 4:6–7 (opens a new tab) · John 4:28 (opens a new tab)

11. Provender

    Dry feed for animals.

    Rebekah offers straw and provender as well as lodging; when the servant enters the house, feed is supplied for the camels.

    Did you know?

    Isaiah also uses provender for feed given to oxen and asses, another agricultural use of this older English word.

    Genesis 24:25 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:32 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: provender (opens a new tab) · Isaiah 30:24 (opens a new tab)

12. Rebekah

    Rebekah offers to water the camels after giving the servant a drink; when her family asks whether she will go, she agrees.

    Did you know?

    The later family notice says Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah and again names her father Bethuel.

    Genesis 24:18–20 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:57–58 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 25:20 (opens a new tab)

13. Straw

    Rebekah says her household has straw and provender for the visitors’ animals; both are supplied for the camels when the servant comes inside.

    Genesis 24:25 (opens a new tab) · Genesis 24:32 (opens a new tab)

14. Vail

    The KJV spelling of veil, a covering.

    When the servant identifies the man approaching as his master, Rebekah takes a vail and covers herself before meeting Isaac.

    Genesis 24:64–65 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Genesis 24:65 (opens a new tab)

15. Well

    The servant makes the camels kneel by the well outside the city at evening, then prays for a sign involving water.

    Genesis 24:11–14 (opens a new tab)