Bible Strands
Genesis 24:45
And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses Rebekah at the spring while she draws water, noting the encounter occurs before his internal prayer concludes.
The words — טֶרֶם (Te.rem) means “not yet,” and אֲכַלּה ('a.kha.Leh) means “I had finished,” together forming the phrase “before I had finished.”
The thread — The pattern of divine response preceding human petition appears in Genesis 24:15, Isaiah 65:24, and Daniel 9:23.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that the requested sign arrived during the petition, not after its completion, requiring the reader to observe the precise timing of divine action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
Cross-references
- Genesis 24:15 Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
- Isaiah 65:24 Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
- Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:
- Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
- Acts 10:30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me
- Acts 12:12 And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
- 1 Samuel 1:13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk
- 2 Samuel 7:27 For You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Therefore Your servant has found the courage to offer this prayer to You.
- Nehemiah 2:4 “What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven
- Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and malicious talk,