Genesis 24:60
Genesis 24:60 in Multiple Translations
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them.
And they gave Rebekah their blessing, saying, O sister, may you be the mother of thousands and ten thousands; and may your seed overcome all those who make war against them.
They asked a blessing on her, saying, “Our dear sister, may you become the mother to thousands and thousands of descendants, and may they conquer their enemies.”
And they blessed Rebekah, and sayde vnto her, Thou art our sister, growe into thousande thousands, and thy seede possesse the gate of his enemies.
and they bless Rebekah, and say to her, 'Thou [art] our sister; become thou thousands of myriads, and thy seed doth possess the gate of those hating it.'
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
And they blessed Rebekah, and said to her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those who hate them.
Wishing prosperity to their sister, and saying: Thou art our sister, mayst thou increase to thousands of thousands, and may thy seed possess the gates of their enemies.
Before they all left, they asked God to bless Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, we ask that Yahweh will cause you to have millions of descendants, and allow them to completely defeat [MET] all those that hate them.”
Then Rebekah’s family asked God to be good to Rebekah. They said to her, “We are asking God to give you lots of kids and grand-kids, so that your family will become a really big mob of people. And we are asking God to make them strong, so that when other people fight against your mob, your mob will win, and then your mob will take the towns that belonged to those other people.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 24:60
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 24:60 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְבָרֲכ֤וּ
אֶת
רִבְקָה֙
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְרוּ
לָ֔/הּ
אֲחֹתֵ֕/נוּ
אַ֥תְּ
הֲיִ֖י
לְ/אַלְפֵ֣י
רְבָבָ֑ה
וְ/יִירַ֣שׁ
זַרְעֵ֔/ךְ
אֵ֖ת
שַׁ֥עַר
שֹׂנְאָֽי/ו
וַ/יְבָרֲכ֤וּ
bârak
H1288
to bless
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
רִבְקָה֙
Ribqâh
H7259
Rebekah
N-proper
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְרוּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לָ֔/הּ
Prep | Suff
אֲחֹתֵ֕/נוּ
ʼâchôwth
H269
sister
N-fs | Suff
אַ֥תְּ
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
הֲיִ֖י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
לְ/אַלְפֵ֣י
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Prep | Adj
רְבָבָ֑ה
rᵉbâbâh
H7233
myriad
N-fs
וְ/יִירַ֣שׁ
yârash
H3423
to possess
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
זַרְעֵ֔/ךְ
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
N-ms | Suff
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
שַׁ֥עַר
shaʻar
H8179
gate
N-ms
שֹׂנְאָֽי/ו
sânêʼ
H8130
to hate
V-Qal | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 24:60
וַ/יְבָרֲכ֤וּ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
רִבְקָה֙
Ribqâh
H7259
"Rebekah"
N-proper
Rebekah, the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob, a key figure in Genesis chapters 24-27.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.22.23; daughter of: Bethuel (H1328A); sister of: Laban (H3837A); married to Isaac (H3327); mother of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478) Also named: Rhebekka (Ῥεβέκκα "Rebekah" G4479) § Rebekah = "ensnarer" daughter of Bethuel, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: Rebekah. See also: Genesis 22:23; Genesis 25:21; Genesis 49:31.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמְרוּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָ֔/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
אֲחֹתֵ֕/נוּ
ʼâchôwth
H269
"sister"
N-fs | Suff
A sister in the Bible can be a biological sibling, a half-sister, or a close relative. In Genesis 4:2, Cain's sister is not named, but in Genesis 24:15, Rebekah is Isaac's cousin and future wife.
Definition: 1) sister 1a) sister (same parents) 1b) half-sister (same father) 1c) relative 1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship 1d) beloved 1d1) bride 1e) (fig.) of intimate connection 1f) another
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other, sister, together. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Samuel 13:22; Proverbs 7:4.
אַ֥תְּ
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
הֲיִ֖י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לְ/אַלְפֵ֣י
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Prep | Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
רְבָבָ֑ה
rᵉbâbâh
H7233
"myriad"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means a large number, like a multitude or ten thousand. It is used in the Bible to describe big groups of people or things. In the KJV, it is translated as many, million, or ten thousand.
Definition: multitude, myriad, ten thousand
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: many, million, [idiom] multiply, ten thousand. See also: Genesis 24:60; 1 Samuel 18:8; Psalms 3:7.
וְ/יִירַ֣שׁ
yârash
H3423
"to possess"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To possess means to take control of something, like a piece of land, by driving out others and occupying it. This word is used in the Bible to describe inheriting property or seizing power.
Definition: : possess/inherit 1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take possession of 1a2) to inherit 1a3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor 1b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty 1c) (Piel) to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to possess or inherit 1d2) to cause others to possess or inherit 1d3) to impoverish 1d4) to dispossess 1d5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit
Usage: Occurs in 204 OT verses. KJV: cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 15:3; Joshua 15:63; Psalms 25:13.
זַרְעֵ֔/ךְ
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
שַׁ֥עַר
shaʻar
H8179
"gate"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.
שֹׂנְאָֽי/ו
sânêʼ
H8130
"to hate"
V-Qal | Suff
To hate means to feel intense dislike or hostility, as seen in the actions of enemies or foes in the Bible. It can also describe God's hatred of sin.
Definition: 1) to hate, be hateful 1a) (Qal) to hate 1a1) of man 1a2) of God 1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be hated 1c) (Piel) hater (participle) 1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 24:60; Psalms 50:17; Psalms 5:6.
Study Notes — Genesis 24:60
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 24:60 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 24:60
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 24:60
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 24:60
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
- Sermons on Genesis 24:60
Context — Rebekah Is Chosen
58They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied.
59So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
61Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. 62Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 22:17 | I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. |
| 2 | Genesis 17:16 | And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” |
| 3 | Ruth 4:11–12 | “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem. And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.” |
| 4 | Genesis 28:3 | May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. |
| 5 | Genesis 9:1 | And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. |
| 6 | Genesis 1:28 | God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” |
| 7 | Genesis 48:15–16 | Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.” |
| 8 | Genesis 48:20 | So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. |
| 9 | Leviticus 25:46 | You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life. But as for your brothers, the Israelites, no man may rule harshly over his brother. |
| 10 | Genesis 14:19 | and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, |
Genesis 24:60 Summary
This verse is a beautiful example of God's blessing and promise to His people. Rebekah's family is praying that she will have many children and that they will be victorious over their enemies, just like God promised to Abraham in Genesis 22:17. This blessing is not just for Rebekah, but is a reminder to all believers that God is our victorious King and that we can trust Him for victory in our lives (Psalm 20:7). As we reflect on this verse, we can remember that God is always with us and is working out His good plans for our lives, even when we can't see what's ahead (Jeremiah 29:11).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Rebekah's offspring to possess the gates of their enemies?
This phrase is a metaphor for victory and dominance over one's enemies, as seen in Genesis 22:17, where God promises to bless Abraham's offspring and give them the gates of their enemies.
Why did Rebekah's family bless her with such a specific blessing?
Rebekah's family was likely aware of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants, as seen in Genesis 12:2-3, and were invoking this blessing upon her as she began her new life with Isaac.
Is this blessing only for Rebekah, or does it apply to all believers?
While this specific blessing was given to Rebekah, the principle of God's blessing and victory over enemies applies to all believers, as seen in Psalm 1:3 and Romans 8:37, where believers are promised to be more than conquerors through Christ.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Genesis?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 17:1-14, and highlights the importance of faith and obedience in receiving God's blessings.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can trust God for victory in my own life, just as Rebekah's family trusted God for her?
- How can I apply the principle of possessing the gates of my enemies to my own spiritual battles?
- What does it mean for me to be a part of God's covenant people, and how can I live out this identity in my daily life?
- In what ways can I seek to bless and encourage others, just as Rebekah's family blessed her?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah,.... That is, her parents and her friends, they wished the best and choicest of blessings might descend upon her: and said unto her, thou [art] our sister; the Targum of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. And they blessed Rebekah.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
Thou art our sister, i.e. our near kinswoman; distance of place shall not alienate our affections from thee, but we shall still own thee as our sister, and, as far as we can, be ready to perform all the duties of brethren to thee.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou [art] our sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.Ver. 60. Be thou the mother of thousands.] Votum nuptiale, Hebraeis solenne. We wish them joy, we assure them sorrow, and that in the flesh, where they look for most felicity.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
(60) Thousands of millions.—Heb., thousands of ten thousands. A million was a number which at this early period the Hebrews had no means of expressing. The blessing contains two parts: the first, the hope of fruitfulness founded on the primæval command (Genesis 1:28); the second, that of victory in war (see Genesis 22:17).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
Verse 60. Be thou the mother of thousands of millions] לאלפי רבבה lealphey rebabah, for thousands ten thousand, or for myriads of thousands, a large family being ever considered, in ancient times, as a proof of the peculiar blessing and favour of God. Similar addresses to a daughter, when she is going from her father's house to live with her husband, are very common among the Hindoos; such as, "Be thou the mother of a son," "Be thou the wife of a king," &c. See Ward.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 24:60
60. And they blessed Rebekah] The farewell blessing and good wishes of the family referred in Oriental fashion to the two objects of desire, (1) that she should be the mother of many descendants; and (2) that they should be victorious over their enemies. possess the gate of] Cf. Genesis 22:17. “The possessors of the gate” were the controllers of the affairs of the city.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 24:60
60. Blessed Rebekah — This parting blessing rises to the poetic fervor of a song, and may be put as follows:And they blessed Rebekah, And they said unto her, Our sister art thou.Be thou [increased]
Sermons on Genesis 24:60
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 24:59-67 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher tells the story of Rebekah and Isaac from the Bible. Rebekah asks the servant to tell her about Isaac again, specifically about his birth and how his f |
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That He Might Fill All Things - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of emptying oneself and allowing God to work in their lives. He uses the example of Joseph, who started off as a conceited you |
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The Melchizedek Priesthood (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the preaching of the word of God defies analysis and critique. He mentions how scholars believe that Paul missed an opportunity in Athens |
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Vision #1 by Stephen Kaung | Stephen Kaung emphasizes the significance of having a divine vision, drawing from Proverbs 29:18, which states that without vision, people become unrestrained. He illustrates this |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 355 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of fathers in raising their children in a way that allows them to receive the blessings of God. He shares the story of Esau, |
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Genesis Finds Its Complement in the Apocalypse by E.W. Bullinger | E.W. Bullinger delves into the parallelism between Genesis and Revelation, showcasing the contrast between the beginning and the end of God's redemptive plan. From the creation of |
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Emptying Unto Fulness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound truth that Christ, who descended and ascended, is destined to fill all things with His presence and character. He explores the necessity of |