Genesis 24:29
New International Version
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he hurried out to the man at the spring.

New Living Translation
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, who ran out to meet the man at the spring.

English Standard Version
Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring.

King James Bible
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

New King James Version
Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well.

New American Standard Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.

NASB 1995
Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.

NASB 1977
Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran outside to the man at the spring.

Amplified Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran out to the man at the well.

Christian Standard Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and Laban ran out to the man at the spring.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and Laban ran out to the man at the spring.

American Standard Version
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain.

English Revised Version
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban.

Good News Translation
Now Rebecca had a brother named Laban, and he ran outside to go to the well where Abraham's servant was.

International Standard Version
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, who ran out to the man and met him at the spring.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring.

NET Bible
(Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban.) Laban rushed out to meet the man at the spring.

New Heart English Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban, and he ran out to the man at the spring.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out to the man, to the well.

World English Bible
Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Rebekah has a brother, and his name [is] Laban, and Laban runs to the man who [is] outside, to the fountain;

Young's Literal Translation
And Rebekah hath a brother, and his name is Laban, and Laban runneth unto the man who is without, unto the fountain;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Rebekah a brother, and his name Laban: and Laban will run to the man without at the fountain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Rebecca had a brother named Laban, who went out in haste to the man, to the well.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Rebekah had a brother, named Laban, who went out quickly to the man, where the spring was.

New American Bible
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban. Laban rushed outside to the man at the spring.

New Revised Standard Version
Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; so Laban ran out to the man, to the well.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Raphqa had a brother and his name was Laban, and Laban ran to the man outside at the well.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Rebecca had a brother whose name was Laban; and Laban ran out to meet the man, to the well.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebekah is Chosen
28The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. 29Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. 30As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring.…

Cross References
Genesis 29:13
When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened.

Genesis 19:1-3
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, / and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” / But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Genesis 18:2-8
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. / Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. ...

Genesis 33:4
Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

Genesis 43:16-17
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.” / The man did as Joseph had commanded and took the brothers to Joseph’s house.

Exodus 2:20
“So where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”

Judges 19:20-21
“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” / So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.

1 Samuel 25:6
and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house and to all that belongs to you.

2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.

Job 31:32
but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—

Luke 10:38
As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

Luke 19:5-6
When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.” / So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully.

John 1:40-42
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. / He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). / Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

John 4:28-30
Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, / “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” / So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus.

Acts 16:15
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.


Treasury of Scripture

And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out to the man, to the well.

Genesis 24:55,60
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…

Genesis 29:5
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

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Genesis 24
1. Abraham swears his servant.
10. The servant's journey.
12. His prayer.
14. His sign.
15. Rebekah meets him;
18. fulfils his sign;
22. receives jewels;
23. shows her kindred;
25. and invites him home.
26. The servant blesses God.
29. Laban entertains him.
34. The servant shows his message.
50. Laban and Bethuel approve it.
58. Rebekah consents to go, and departs.
62. Isaac meets and marries her.














Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban
The introduction of Laban is significant in the narrative of Genesis. The Hebrew name "Laban" means "white" or "shining," which may symbolize purity or a notable character trait. Laban's role in the account of Genesis is multifaceted, as he later becomes a central figure in the life of Jacob. Historically, the mention of family ties emphasizes the importance of kinship and familial relationships in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Laban's introduction here foreshadows his future interactions with the patriarchs, highlighting the interconnectedness of the biblical narrative.

and Laban ran out
The action of running indicates urgency and eagerness. In the Hebrew context, running was often associated with a sense of duty or the need to address an important matter quickly. Laban's immediate response suggests his interest in the visitor, who is later revealed to be Abraham's servant. This eagerness may reflect the cultural norms of hospitality and the importance of welcoming strangers, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament.

to the man
The "man" referred to here is Abraham's servant, who has come to find a wife for Isaac. The servant's identity is initially unknown to Laban, which adds a layer of intrigue and anticipation to the narrative. In the broader scriptural context, the servant represents God's providence and guidance, as he is on a divinely appointed mission. This encounter underscores the theme of divine orchestration in the lives of the patriarchs.

at the spring
The spring, or well, is a significant setting in biblical narratives. Wells were vital sources of water in the arid regions of the ancient Near East and often served as communal gathering places. In the Bible, wells are frequently associated with divine encounters and covenantal relationships, as seen in the accounts of Hagar, Jacob, and Moses. The spring in this verse symbolizes a place of meeting and revelation, where God's plans begin to unfold through human interactions. The setting at the spring foreshadows the unfolding of God's covenantal promises through the union of Isaac and Rebekah.

(29) Laban ran out unto the man.--Not until he had seen Rebekah, as narrated in the next verse--this being a brief summary, followed by a more detailed account. Milcah had probably sent and summoned him to her tent, where his sister showed him her presents, and told him what had happened. He then hurried out to offer due hospitality to the generous stranger.

Verse 29. - And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. "White," whose character has been considerably traduced, the Biblical narrative not representing him as "a monster of moral depravity," but rather as actuated by generous imputes and hospitable dispositions (Kalisch). And Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. That Laban, and not Bethuel, should have the prominence in all the subsequent transactions concerning Rebekah has been explained by the supposition that Bethuel was now dead (Josephus), but vide ver. 50; that he was altogether an insignificant character (Lange, Wordsworth); that firstborn sons enjoyed during their father's lifetime a portion of his authority, and even on important occasions represented him (Kalisch); that in those times it was usual for brothers to take a special interest in sisters' marriages - cf. Genesis 34:13; Judges 21:22; 2 Samuel 13:22 (Rosenmüller, Michaelis).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Rebekah
וּלְרִבְקָ֥ה (ū·lə·riḇ·qāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac

had a brother
אָ֖ח (’āḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

named
וּשְׁמ֣וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Laban,
לָבָ֑ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

and [he]
לָבָ֧ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

rushed
וַיָּ֨רָץ (way·yā·rāṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7323: To run

out
הַח֖וּצָה (ha·ḥū·ṣāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the man
הָאִ֛ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the spring.
הָעָֽיִן׃ (hā·‘ā·yin)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT Law: Genesis 24:29 Rebekah had a brother and his name (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 24:28
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