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.
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. Gen 22:17. “The possessors of the gate” were the controllers of the affairs of the city.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 60. Be thou the mother of thousands of millions] 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 Jonathan is,
“hitherto thou hast been our sister,”
as if the relation now ceased, having entered into another; and especially as she was going away from them into a distant country, and might never see her more, it was as if she was no more to them or to be enjoyed by them:
be thou [the mother] of thousands of millions; as she was, the Edomites and Israelites both springing from her:
and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them; exercise dominion and authority over their enemies: let them not only be numerous, but powerful and victorious, as both the nations were at times, and especially the latter; and particularly this had its accomplishment in Christ, who sprung from her in the line of Jacob, Mt 1:2; some respect seems to be had to the promise made to Abraham, Ge 22:17; of which this family might have knowledge from Abraham’s servant, who might report not only how great his master was, but what promises were made to him with respect to his posterity.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(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 primval command (Gen. 1:28); the second, that of victory in war (see Gen. 22:17).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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] to thousands of myriads,
And let thy seed possess the gate of them that hate him
The signal interpositions of Jehovah inspire them with a presentiment of Rebekah’s future honour.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 24:60. They blessed Rebekah They, i.e.. her mother, brethren, and all the rest of her family and kindred, by way of tender adieu, pray God to bless her with a numerous and a glorious posterity, which was the highest blessing in the matrimonial way they could wish. Mr. Selden observes, that the Jews used this, even before the law, as a form of solemn benediction, when the spouse was carried home to her husband, be thou the mother, &c. “Be fruitful in children, and be those children prosperous and honourable.”
REFLECTIONS.A good servant never loiters. Instead of staying to spend the days in mirth and feasting, no sooner is his business done, than he is in haste to be gone. What an example is he for servants! But,
1. Natural affection pleads for a little respite. Though they know it is good for Rebekah, they are loth to part with her. Note; There is no joy pure without alloy in this world, except that which proceeds from the enjoyment of God. However, as he presses to be gone, Rebekah is called and asked.
2. She consents to go. She had, no doubt, from the piety of the servant, conceived a high esteem for the family, and therefore the more readily yields. Note; Though parents have a right of advising, they have none of constraining. Marriage must be of choice, not force.
3. On this they give her their blessing, take care that she is suitably attended, and send her away. Note; New relations need our prayers for God’s blessing upon them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 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.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
they: Gen 1:28, Gen 9:1, Gen 14:19, Gen 17:16, Gen 28:3, Gen 48:15, Gen 48:16, Gen 48:20, Rth 4:11, Rth 4:12
be thou the mother: Or, “be thou for thousands of myriads;” a large family being always considered, in ancient times, as a proof of the peculiar blessing and favour of God.
thousands: Dan 7:10
thy seed: Gen 22:17, Lev 25:46, Deu 21:19
Reciprocal: Gen 22:23 – Rebekah Gen 24:29 – General Gen 24:50 – Laban Gen 24:59 – their Gen 25:23 – Two nations Gen 27:4 – that my Gen 31:27 – with mirth Gen 31:55 – blessed Num 6:23 – General Num 10:36 – many thousands of Israel Jdg 20:10 – ten thousand Psa 127:3 – children Pro 5:16 – dispersed Jer 29:6 – take wives
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 24:60. They blessed Rebekah The meaning of this verse is, that they prayed God to make her very fruitful, and to render her posterity victorious over their enemies. They said, Thou art our sister Our near kinswoman; distance of place shall not alienate our affections from thee; but we will still own thee as our sister, and be ready to perform all the duties of brethren to thee.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
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 {d} gate of those which hate them.
(d) That is, let them be victorious over their enemies: a blessing that is fully accomplished through Jesus Christ.