Bible Strands
Genesis 24:50
Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Laban and Bethuel address Abraham’s servant at the precise moment he demands a clear decision regarding Rebekah’s marriage. They respond to his conditional ultimatum by declaring the outcome beyond their authority.
The words — The phrase יָצָא הַדָּבָר (ya.Tza' ha.da.Var) literally means “the matter has come out.” It is paired with מֵיְהוָה (me./Yah.weh, “from Yahweh”) to attribute the resolution directly to divine initiative.
The thread — This acknowledgment of divine agency echoes the declaration in Psalm 118:23 and anticipates God’s direct intervention with Laban in Genesis 31:24 and 31:29.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that human plans operate within boundaries set by sovereign direction. It demands submission to the authority that initiates and concludes the matter without appeal.
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
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
Cross-references
- Psalms 118:23 This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
- Genesis 31:24 But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
- Genesis 31:29 I have power to do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
- 2 Samuel 13:22 And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for violating his sister Tamar.
- Mark 12:11 This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
- 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.
- Genesis 24:28 The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
- Genesis 24:53 Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.
- Genesis 24:55 But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”
- Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?