Genesis 24

Genesis 24 is the account of how Abraham's servant found a wife for Isaac. Here are the key events.

Abraham, now old, wanted to ensure his son Isaac would marry someone from his homeland, not a Canaanite woman. He made his most trusted servant swear to find Isaac a wife from Abraham's relatives in Mesopotamia.

The servant traveled to the city of Nahor with ten camels and valuable gifts. Outside the city, he prayed for a sign: the woman who offered to provide water for both him and his camels would be the one God chose for Isaac.

Before he finished praying, Rebekah appeared. She not only gave him water but voluntarily offered to water all his camels too — fulfilling the exact sign he had requested. The servant learned she was the daughter of Bethuel, who was Abraham's nephew.

The servant praised God for guiding him, and then he gave Rebekah gold jewelry. She invited him to stay with her family, where he explained his mission and how God had clearly indicated Rebekah as the chosen bride. Her brother Laban and father Bethuel recognized God's hand in the matter and agreed to the marriage.

The next day, despite their request to delay her departure, Rebekah chose to leave immediately with the servant. When they arrived in Canaan, Isaac was out meditating in the fields. Rebekah covered herself with a veil upon seeing him. The servant told Isaac everything that had happened, and Isaac married Rebekah, finding comfort in her love after his mother Sarah's death.