And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

GENESIS 24:64KJV
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Genesis 24:64 (KJV)

What does Genesis 24:64 mean?

Genesis 24:64 describes the moment when Rebekah, traveling to meet her future husband, sees Isaac for the first time and quickly gets down from her camel. This action shows her immediate response and respect upon recognizing Isaac, marking the beginning of their meeting.

The verse takes place as Abraham’s servant is returning with Rebekah after a long journey to find a wife for Isaac. Rebekah’s act of lifting her eyes and dismounting the camel signals both recognition and a gesture of humility or readiness to meet someone important. The scene sets up the first encounter between Isaac and Rebekah, which is a key moment in the story of Isaac’s marriage.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 24:64

  • "Lifted up" (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This word often means to raise or lift, and here it describes Rebekah physically raising her eyes, suggesting alertness or anticipation as she approaches her destination.
  • "Lighted" (נָפַל, nāphal): The word literally means "to fall," but in this context, it is often understood as "dismounted" or "got down." It emphasizes the suddenness or eagerness of Rebekah’s action as she gets off the camel to meet Isaac.

Why Genesis 24:64 matters

  • The verse highlights Rebekah’s respectful and proactive attitude, which is important in understanding her character as she enters Isaac’s family.
  • This moment connects the long journey of Abraham’s servant to its purpose: the meeting of Isaac and Rebekah, fulfilling Abraham’s desire for a wife for his son from his own people.
  • The specific actions described—lifting her eyes and dismounting—help the reader picture the scene and sense the anticipation and significance of this first meeting.

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.

“off” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 32:11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.

“camel” 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.

“Isaac” Hebrew H3327 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
  • Genesis 26:16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
  • Genesis 35:28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.