Genesis 24:57

Genesis 24:57, in plain English

Laban and Bethuel suggested they ask Rebekah herself what she wanted—giving her a voice in her own future.

Why it's here

This is significant. In this ancient world, a young woman's family could have simply decided for her. Instead, they asked her opinion. She had agency here. They respected her enough to let her choose, even though the path was already set.

Who's speaking

Laban and Bethuel

Where it sits in the story

God doesn't override human choice, even when His will is clear. Rebekah had to choose to go, just as the servant chose to pray and the family chose to agree.

The scholarly reading

Faced with the servant's insistence, the family proposes consulting Rebekah directly to determine her preference.

Language and setting

The phrase 'We will call the girl and ask her opinion' (v'nikra et-rivkah v'nishlal et-piha) represents a significant concession—in patriarchal societies, women's agency in marriage was typically limited. By consulting her, the family acknowledges her personhood and grants her voice some authority. The term *piha* (her mouth/opinion) suggests they're genuinely seeking her consent, not merely performing ritual.

Voice

Rebekah's brother and mother, proposing a compromise

Significance

This moment elevates Rebekah from object to subject—she becomes an agent in her own destiny. The narrative's theological vision includes genuine female agency working within covenantal structures.

55But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”

56But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”

57So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.”

58They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

59So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.

Read all of Genesis 24 — A servant, a prayer, a woman at a well. One of the Bible's most beautiful stories of providence unfolds in the smallest details.