A Wife for Isaac: Rebekah's Journey

Abraham was old, and Yahweh had blessed him in all things. He made the senior servant of his household swear an oath. The servant must not choose a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites. Instead, he must go to Abraham’s own country and relatives. Even if a woman refused to come back, Isaac must not be taken there.

The servant took ten camels and valuable things from his master and travelled to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. In the evening he stopped beside a spring, when women came out to draw water. There he prayed, asking the God of Abraham to show kindness by making known the right young woman, one who would offer water to him and also to his camels.

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came with her pitcher. She was the daughter of Bethuel, from the family of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. The servant asked for a drink, and she quickly gave him water. Then she drew water for all his camels. He watched silently. After learning who she was, and hearing there was room at her family’s house, he bowed and worshipped Yahweh for leading him.

Rebekah ran home and told her mother’s household. Her brother Laban came out and welcomed the servant. Before eating, the servant told his whole message: Abraham’s oath, his prayer at the spring, and how Rebekah had done exactly what he had asked as a sign. Laban and Bethuel answered that this matter came from Yahweh, so Rebekah could go and become Isaac’s wife. The servant worshipped and gave gifts to Rebekah and to her family.

In the morning, the servant asked to leave, but Rebekah’s brother and mother wanted her to stay a little longer. So they asked Rebekah herself, and she said, “I will go.” She left with her nurse and her ladies and travelled on the camels with the servant. As they came near, Isaac was in the field at evening.

Rebekah asked who the man was, and when she learned it was Isaac, she covered herself with a veil. Isaac heard all that had happened, took Rebekah as his wife, loved her, and was comforted after his mother’s death.