Genesis 24:50 - Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.

Generated Verse: Genesis 24:50

What does "Genesis 24:50" mean?


Genesis 24 tells the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his relatives in Mesopotamia. The servant finds Rebekah, who is Laban's sister and Bethuel's daughter. In verse 50, Laban and Bethuel are responding to the servant's request for Rebekah's hand in marriage for Isaac.

The verse means:

"The thing proceeds from Yahweh": Laban and Bethuel recognize that the circumstances of the servant's arrival, the signs he sought, and Rebekah's willingness to go point to divine guidance. They believe that God is orchestrating these events. They see it as God's will.
"We can't speak to you bad or good": Because they believe this is God's will, they feel they have no right to object or offer any alternative plans ("bad") nor to attempt to add anything to or change ("good") the circumstances. They feel compelled to accept the situation as it is presented. They essentially relinquish their agency in the matter, acknowledging that God is in control.

In essence, Laban and Bethuel are saying that they believe this marriage arrangement is divinely ordained, so they cannot rightfully object or interfere. They are surrendering to what they perceive as God's plan. It's an expression of acknowledging a higher power's involvement and a willingness to comply.

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