King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:50 Mean?

Genesis 24:50 in the King James Version says “Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.”

Genesis 24:50 · KJV

Context

48

And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.

49

And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

51

Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.

52

And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth.

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto t... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 14

“answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

לָבָ֤ן2 of 14

“Then Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

וּבְתוּאֵל֙3 of 14

“and Bethuel”

H1328

bethuel, the name of a place in palestine

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ4 of 14

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֵֽיְהוָ֖ה5 of 14

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יָצָ֣א6 of 14

“proceedeth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַדָּבָ֑ר7 of 14

“The thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לֹ֥א8 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נוּכַ֛ל9 of 14

“we cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

דַּבֵּ֥ר10 of 14

“speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֖יךָ11 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רַ֥ע12 of 14

“unto thee bad”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אוֹ13 of 14

“or”

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

טֽוֹב׃14 of 14

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 24:50 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 24:50 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 118:23Genesis 31:24Genesis 31:29Mark 12:112 Samuel 13:22Genesis 24:28

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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