And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

GENESIS 24:15KJV
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Genesis 24:15 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:15 mean?

Genesis 24:15 describes the moment when Rebekah appears at the well, even before Abraham’s servant has finished praying for guidance. The verse introduces Rebekah as the granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, and notes that she is carrying a pitcher on her shoulder.

The scene takes place as Abraham’s servant is seeking a wife for Isaac and has just asked God for a sign. Before he finishes speaking, Rebekah comes out to draw water, fitting the servant’s prayer exactly. The verse highlights the detailed family connection—Rebekah is related to Abraham through Nahor and Milcah—and sets up the unfolding answer to the servant’s request.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:15

  • "done" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word means "to finish" or "to complete." The verse emphasizes that Rebekah appears before the servant has even finished speaking, showing the immediacy of the response.
  • "speaking" (דָּבַר, dabar): This is the common Hebrew word for "to speak" or "to say." The verse stresses that the servant’s prayer is still in progress when the answer arrives.
  • "Rebekah" (רִבְקָה, Rivqah): The name is introduced here for the first time, marking her as a key figure in the story.
  • "pitcher" (כַּד, kad): This word refers to a jar or vessel for drawing water. Mentioning the pitcher on her shoulder paints a vivid picture of Rebekah’s daily life and readiness to serve.

Why Genesis 24:15 matters

  • The verse shows how quickly and specifically the servant’s prayer is answered, underlining the theme of divine guidance in the story.
  • By carefully listing Rebekah’s family connections, Genesis 24:15 makes it clear that she is from Abraham’s extended family, which is important for the servant’s mission.
  • The detail about Rebekah carrying the pitcher sets up the test of character and hospitality that follows, which will confirm her as the right choice for Isaac.

Where else these words appear

“Bethuel” Hebrew H1328 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 22:22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
  • Genesis 24:47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
  • Genesis 28:2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

“Milcah” Hebrew H4435 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 11:29 And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
  • Genesis 24:24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
  • Numbers 27:1 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.

“Nahor” Hebrew H5152 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 11:22 And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:
  • Genesis 11:27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
  • Genesis 24:24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.

“pitcher” Hebrew H3537 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Genesis 24:43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
  • Judges 7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.