Genesis 24 · Verse 50

Genesis 24:50

Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
Genesis 24:50, King James Version

Genesis 24:50 in other translations

BSBLaban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.
WEBThen Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from the LORD. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
ASVThen Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from Jehovah: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
YLTAnd Laban answereth--Bethuel also--and they say, ‘The thing hath gone out from Jehovah; we are not able to speak unto thee bad or good;
DARBYAnd Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceeds from Jehovah: we cannot speak to thee bad or good.
BBEThen Laban and Bethuel said in answer, This is the Lord's doing: it is not for us to say Yes or No to you.
WebsterThen Laban and Bethuel answered, and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak to thee bad or good.

What does Genesis 24:50 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
50. Then Laban and Bethuel answered--The brothers conduct all the marriage negotiations, their father being probably dead, and without consulting their sister. Their language seems to indicate they were worshippers of the true God.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 50 Laban and Bethuel - These seem both to be brothers, of whom Laban was the eldest and chief; for the opinion of Josephus appears to be very correct, viz., that Bethuel, the father, had been some time dead. See note Gen 24:28. Bad or good - We can neither speak for nor against; it seems to be entirely the work of God, and we cordially submit: consult Rebekah; if she be willing, take her and go. See note Gen 24:58.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 24:29-53

The making up of the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah is told very particularly. We are to notice God's providence in the common events of human life, and in them to exercise prudence and other graces. Laban went to ask Abraham's servant in, but not till he saw the ear-ring, and bracelet upon his sister's hands. We know Laban's character, by his conduct afterwards, and may think that he would not have been so free…

Read the full comment on Genesis 24:29-53 →

Genesis 24:50 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיַּ֨עַןvai.Ya.'anand he answeredH6030
לָבָ֤ןla.VanLabanH3837
וּבְתוּאֵל֙u.ve.tu.'Eland BethuelH1328
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּvai.Yo.me.Ruand they saidH559
מֵיְהוָ֖הme.Yah.wehfrom YahwehH3068
יָצָ֣אya.Tza'it has come outH3318
הַדָּבָ֑רha.da.Varthe matterH1697
לֹ֥אlo'notH3808
נוּכַ֛לnu.Khalwe are ableH3201
דַּבֵּ֥רda.Berto speakH1696
אֵלֶ֖יךָ'e.Lei.khato youH413
רַ֥עra'evilH7451
אוֹ\־'ov-orH176
טֽוֹב\׃TovgoodH2896

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 24:50

  • Psalms 118:23

    This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

  • Genesis 31:24

    And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

  • Genesis 31:29

    It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

  • 2 Samuel 13:22

    And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

  • Mark 12:11

    This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

  • Genesis 24:55

    And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.

  • Matthew 21:42

    Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

  • Genesis 24:28

    And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things.

  • Genesis 24:53

    And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

  • Genesis 24:15

    And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

  • 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.

  • Acts 11:17

    Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Laban.These seem both to be brothers, of whom Laban was the eldest and chief: the opinion of Josephus appears to be very correct, that Bethuel, the father, had been dead some time.
15,28,53,55,60
The thing.
Ps 118:23; Mt 21:42; Mr 12:11
we.
31:24,29; 2Sa 13:22; Ac 11:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 24:49

    And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.

  • Genesis 24:50

    Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

  • Genesis 24:51

    Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken.

Read all of Genesis 24

Genesis 24:50 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces Labán y Bethuel respondieron y dijeron: De Jehová ha salido esto; no podemos hablarte malo ni bueno.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Laban et Bethuel répondirent et dirent: La chose procède de l’ Éternel; nous ne pouvons te dire ni mal, ni bien.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da antworteten Laban und Bethuel und sprachen: Von Jehova ist die Sache ausgegangen; wir können dir nichts sagen, weder Böses noch Gutes.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Responderuntque Laban et Bathuel: A Domino egressus est sermo: non possumus extra placitum ejus quidquam aliud loqui tecum.