And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

GENESIS 24:61KJV
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Genesis 24:61 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:61 mean?

Genesis 24:61 describes Rebekah and her female attendants getting up, mounting camels, and following Abraham’s servant as they set out on the journey to meet Isaac. The verse shows Rebekah willingly leaving her home to go with the servant, marking the beginning of her new life.

In the story, Abraham’s servant has just completed his mission of finding a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son. After Rebekah’s family agrees to the marriage, Rebekah and her young women prepare to travel with the servant. This moment highlights Rebekah’s decision and the practical steps of leaving her family, emphasizing her trust and readiness for what lies ahead.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:61

  • The word for “arose” is קוּם (qum), which often means to get up or stand, but here it signals a decisive action—Rebekah is not just physically rising, but also beginning a significant journey.
  • The term for “damsels” is נַעֲרָה (na’arah), meaning young women or maidservants, showing that Rebekah did not travel alone but with a group of attendants, which was typical for someone of her status.
  • The verb for “followed” is הלך אחרי (halakh acharei), meaning to go after or walk behind, underlining that Rebekah and her attendants are following the servant’s lead, both literally and in the sense of trusting the path set before them.
  • The word for “took” is לָקַח (laqach), which can mean to take, receive, or bring along. Here, it emphasizes the servant’s responsibility in guiding Rebekah safely on the journey.

Why Genesis 24:61 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Rebekah’s departure was immediate and voluntary, showing her willingness to step into the unknown based on faith and the agreement made.
  • The detail about Rebekah’s attendants and the camels connects back to earlier parts of the story, where the servant brought camels as part of Abraham’s wealth, and shows the care taken in the journey.
  • Genesis 24:61 marks the turning point from the search for a wife to the fulfillment of Abraham’s hopes for his son Isaac, setting up the meeting between Isaac and Rebekah that follows.

Where else these words appear

“Rebekah” Hebrew H7259 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 22:23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Genesis 27:5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

“camels” Hebrew H1581 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 31:17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
  • 1 Chronicles 5:21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.

“damsels” Hebrew H5291 · used in 57 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.
  • Deuteronomy 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
  • 1 Kings 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

“rode” Hebrew H7392 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:
  • Psalms 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.