This verse from Genesis 24:16 describes Rebekah, who will become Isaac's wife. Let's break it down:
"The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin.": This establishes Rebekah's physical attractiveness and her virginity. In the context of the time, virginity was a highly valued attribute in a woman considered for marriage. It signified purity and ensured the legitimacy of any future offspring.
"No man had known her.": This reinforces the statement of her virginity. The phrase "to know" is a euphemism for sexual intimacy.
"She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.": This shows Rebekah's modesty and her willingness to work and provide for herself and others. Fetching water was a daily chore, especially important in a desert climate. Her willingness to do this task herself, rather than sending a servant, demonstrates her character and humility.
Overall, this verse paints a picture of Rebekah as a woman of exceptional beauty, purity, and virtuous character. These are all traits that would have been highly desirable in a wife for Isaac, and they hint at why she was chosen to be part of God's plan for Abraham's descendants. It also sets the stage for her act of kindness in offering water to Abraham's servant and his camels in the subsequent verses, which ultimately leads to her being chosen as Isaac's wife.
This verse from Genesis 24:16 describes Rebekah, who will become Isaac's wife. Let's break it down:
"The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin.": This establishes Rebekah's physical attractiveness and her virginity. In the context of the time, virginity was a highly valued attribute in a woman considered for marriage. It signified purity and ensured the legitimacy of any future offspring.
"No man had known her.": This reinforces the statement of her virginity. The phrase "to know" is a euphemism for sexual intimacy.
"She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up.": This shows Rebekah's modesty and her willingness to work and provide for herself and others. Fetching water was a daily chore, especially important in a desert climate. Her willingness to do this task herself, rather than sending a servant, demonstrates her character and humility.
Overall, this verse paints a picture of Rebekah as a woman of exceptional beauty, purity, and virtuous character. These are all traits that would have been highly desirable in a wife for Isaac, and they hint at why she was chosen to be part of God's plan for Abraham's descendants. It also sets the stage for her act of kindness in offering water to Abraham's servant and his camels in the subsequent verses, which ultimately leads to her being chosen as Isaac's wife.