King James Version

What Does Genesis 24:61 Mean?

Genesis 24:61 in the King James Version says “And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, a...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 24:61 · KJV

Context

59

And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.

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.

61

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.

62

And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.

63

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. to meditate: or, to pray

Read Genesis 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the ser... 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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַתָּ֨קָם1 of 14

“arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

רִבְקָ֖ה2 of 14

“And Rebekah”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

וְנַֽעֲרֹתֶ֗יהָ3 of 14

“and her damsels”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

וַתִּרְכַּ֙בְנָה֙4 of 14

“and they rode”

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

עַל5 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים6 of 14

“upon the camels”

H1581

a camel

וַתֵּלַ֖כְנָה7 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י8 of 14
H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הָאִ֑ישׁ9 of 14

“the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיִּקַּ֥ח10 of 14

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הָעֶ֛בֶד11 of 14

“and the servant”

H5650

a servant

אֶת12 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רִבְקָ֖ה13 of 14

“And Rebekah”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

וַיֵּלַֽךְ׃14 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 24:61 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 24:61 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 45:10Genesis 2:24Esther 8:14Esther 8:10Genesis 31:341 Samuel 30:17

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