And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah bore these eight sons to Abraham's brother Nahor. BethuelThe name "Bethuel" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "house of God" or "dweller in God." In the context of Genesis, Bethuel is a significant figure as he is the father of Rebekah, who becomes the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. The mention of Bethuel here connects the lineage of Abraham to the future matriarchs and patriarchs of Israel. This highlights the divine orchestration in the genealogies that lead to the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. Historically, Bethuel's lineage is rooted in the region of Paddan-Aram, which is significant as it ties the patriarchal narratives to the broader Mesopotamian context. became the father of
This phrase indicates the continuation of a lineage, emphasizing the importance of family and heritage in the biblical narrative. In Hebrew culture, genealogy is not just a record of ancestry but a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through generations. The act of becoming a father is seen as a divine blessing and a means through which God's covenantal promises are realized. This phrase underscores the providential unfolding of God's plan through human relationships and family lines. Rebekah
Rebekah's name in Hebrew, "Rivkah," is often associated with meanings such as "to tie firmly" or "a noose," which can symbolize her pivotal role in the biblical narrative. Rebekah is a key figure in the Genesis account, known for her beauty, kindness, and decisive actions. Her introduction here foreshadows her significant role in the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant. Rebekah's account is one of divine selection and guidance, as seen later when she is chosen as Isaac's wife through God's providence. Her life exemplifies the themes of faith, obedience, and the unfolding of God's promises through the matriarchs of Israel. Historically, Rebekah's journey from her homeland to Canaan reflects the broader theme of God's people being called out and set apart for His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. BethuelThe son of Nahor and Milcah, and the father of Rebekah. He plays a crucial role in the lineage that leads to the birth of Rebekah, who becomes Isaac's wife. 2. RebekahThe daughter of Bethuel, who later becomes the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son. Her introduction here foreshadows her significant role in the continuation of Abraham's lineage. 3. MilcahThe wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and mother of eight sons, including Bethuel. Her role highlights the extended family of Abraham and the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply his descendants. 4. NahorAbraham's brother, who settled in Haran. His family is mentioned to show the broader context of Abraham's relatives and God's work beyond just Abraham's immediate family. 5. HaranThe place where Nahor's family resides. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's plan through Abraham's extended family. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in LineageThe mention of Rebekah's birth in this genealogy highlights God's sovereign plan in orchestrating the lineage through which His promises to Abraham would be fulfilled. The Importance of FamilyThe detailed genealogy underscores the importance of family in God's plan. It reminds us of the value of our own family heritage and the role it plays in God's purposes. Faithfulness Across GenerationsGod's faithfulness to Abraham is seen not only in his immediate descendants but also in the extended family, encouraging us to trust in God's promises across generations. Preparation for Future EventsThe introduction of Rebekah sets the stage for future events in the biblical account, teaching us that God prepares the way for His plans long before they come to fruition. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the introduction of Rebekah in Genesis 22:23 prepare us for the events in Genesis 24, and what does this teach us about God's preparation in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the genealogy of Nahor's family in Genesis 22:23-24 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham? 3. How can understanding the broader family context of Abraham help us appreciate the unfolding of God's plan in the Bible? 4. What lessons can we learn from the way God uses family lineages to accomplish His purposes, and how can we apply these lessons to our own family dynamics? 5. How does the mention of Rebekah in this genealogy connect to the New Testament teachings on God's sovereign choice, as seen in Romans 9? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 24This chapter details the account of how Rebekah becomes Isaac's wife, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham about his descendants. Genesis 25The genealogy of Abraham's family is further expanded, showing the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham a father of many nations. Romans 9Paul discusses God's sovereign choice, using the example of Rebekah's children, Jacob and Esau, to illustrate God's purpose in election. People Abraham, Aram, Bethuel, Buz, Chesed, Gaham, Hazo, Huz, Isaac, Jidlaph, Kemuel, Maacah, Maachah, Milcah, Nahor, Pildash, Rebekah, Reumah, Tebah, ThahashPlaces Beersheba, Mount MoriahTopics Abraham's, Bear, Begat, Begot, Begotten, Bethuel, Bethu'el, Bore, Borne, Brother, Eight, Milcah, Nahor, Rebecca, Rebekah, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 22:23-24 5672 concubines Library Faith Tested and Crowned
'And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureIf, Therefore, Even they who are United in Marriage Only for the Purpose Of...
22. If, therefore, even they who are united in marriage only for the purpose of begetting, for which purpose marriage was instituted, are not compared with the Fathers, seeking their very sons in a way far other than do these; forasmuch as Abraham, being bidden to slay his son, fearless and devoted, spared not his only son, whom from out of great despair he had received [1997] save that he laid down his hand, when He forbade him, at Whose command he had lifted it up; it remains that we consider, …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage The Promise to the Patriarchs.
A great epoch is, in Genesis, ushered in with the history of the time of the Patriarchs. Luther says: "This is the third period in which Holy Scripture begins the history of the Church with a new family." In a befitting manner, the representation is opened in Gen. xii. 1-3 by an account of the first revelation of God, given to Abraham at Haran, in which the way is opened up for all that follows, and in which the dispensations of God are brought before us in a rapid survey. Abraham is to forsake …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
^A Matt. I. 1-17. ^a 1 The book of the generation [or genealogy] of Jesus Christ, the son of David [the Messiah was promised to David--II. Sam. vii. 16; John vii. 42], the son of Abraham. [Messiah was also promised to Abraham--Gen. xxii. 18; Gal. iii. 16.] 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren [mentioned here because they were the heads of the tribes for whom especially Matthew wrote his Gospel]; 3 and Judah begat Perez and Zerah [these two were twins] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jehovah. The "I Am. "
WHEN Moses in the desert beheld the burning bush God answered his question by the revelation of His name as the "I Am." "And God said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exod. iii:14). He who spake thus out of the bush to Moses was the same who in the fullness of time appeared upon the earth in the form of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is no less person, than the I AM. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible Difficulties and Objections
"Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not My way equal? are not your ways unequal?" (Ezek. 18:25). A convenient point has been reached when we may now examine, more definitely, some of the difficulties encountered and the objections which might be advanced against what we have written in previous pages. The author deemed it better to reserve these for a separate consideration rather than deal with them as he went along, requiring as that would have done the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Gospel of the Kingdom.
"This is He whom Seers in old time Chanted of with one accord; Whom the voices of the Prophets Promised in their faithful word." We have seen that, in the providence of God, John the Baptist was sent to proclaim to the world that "The Kingdom of Heaven" was at hand, and to point out the King. And as soon as the Herald had raised the expectation of men by the proclamation of the coming Kingdom, our Lord began His public ministry, the great object of which was the founding of His Kingdom for the salvation …
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it? The Faith of Abraham.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God. By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 22:23 NIVGenesis 22:23 NLTGenesis 22:23 ESVGenesis 22:23 NASBGenesis 22:23 KJV
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