Genesis 24:55
New International Version
But her brother and her mother replied, “Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you may go.”

New Living Translation
“But we want Rebekah to stay with us at least ten days,” her brother and mother said. “Then she can go.”

English Standard Version
Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.”

Berean Standard Bible
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.”

New American Standard Bible
But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.”

NASB 1995
But her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.”

NASB 1977
But her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, or even ten; afterward she will go.”

Amplified Bible
But Rebekah’s brother and mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days—at least ten; then she may go.”

Christian Standard Bible
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl stay with us for about ten days. Then she can go.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl stay with us for about 10 days. Then she can go.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
"Let Rebekah stay with us for a week or ten days," they answered. "Then she may go."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Her brother and mother replied, "Let the girl stay with us ten days or so. After that she may go."

Good News Translation
But Rebecca's brother and her mother said, "Let her stay with us a week or ten days, and then she may go."

International Standard Version
But her brother and mother said, "Let the young lady stay with us a few days—at least ten—and after that she may go."

Majority Standard Bible
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”

NET Bible
But Rebekah's brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl stay with us a few more days, perhaps ten. Then she can go."

New Heart English Bible
But her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us ten days or so. After that she may go."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young lady stay with us a few days, at least ten. After that she will go.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and her brother says—her mother also, “Let the young person abide with us a week or ten days, afterward she goes.”

Young's Literal Translation
and her brother saith -- her mother also -- 'Let the young person abide with us a week or ten days, afterwards doth she go.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And her brother will say, and her mother, The girl shall remain with us, perhaps ten days; after that she shall go.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And her brother and mother answered: Let the maid stay at least ten days with us, and afterwards she shall depart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And her brothers and mother responded, “Let the girl remain for at least ten days with us, and after that, she will continue on.”

New American Bible
Her brother and mother replied, “Let the young woman stay with us a short while, say ten days; after that she may go.”

New Revised Standard Version
Her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And her brother and her mother said to him, Let the damsel stay with us a month, or at least a few days; and then she shall go.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And her brother and her mother said to him, “The girl will dwell with us a month of days and then she will go.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And her brethren and her mother said, Let the virgin remain with us about ten days, and after that she shall depart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebekah is Chosen
54Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” 55But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.” 56But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”…

Cross References
Genesis 31:14-16
And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house? / Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us. / Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”

Genesis 29:18-20
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” / Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” / So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

Genesis 30:25-28
Now after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can return to my homeland. / Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.” / But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.” ...

Genesis 34:8-12
But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife. / Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves. / You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.” ...

Genesis 19:16
But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them.

Exodus 2:21
Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

Judges 14:7-8
Then Samson continued on his way down and spoke to the woman, because she was pleasing to his eyes. / When Samson returned later to take her, he left the road to see the lion’s carcass, and in it was a swarm of bees, along with their honey.

Ruth 1:8-9
Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you loving devotion, as you have shown to your dead and to me. / May the LORD enable each of you to find rest in the home of your new husband.” And she kissed them as they wept aloud

1 Samuel 18:20-27
Now Saul’s daughter Michal loved David, and when this was reported to Saul, it pleased him. / “I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” / Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’” ...

1 Samuel 25:39-42
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...

2 Samuel 3:14-16
Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.” / So Ish-bosheth sent and took Michal from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. / Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he returned home.

Matthew 22:1-3
Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables: / “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

Luke 12:36
Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

John 14:2-3
In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

Acts 21:4-6
We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. / But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us. / And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

a few days.

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Leviticus 25:29
And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it.

Judges 14:8
And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

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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.














But her brother and her mother said
This phrase introduces the familial dynamics at play in the narrative. In ancient Near Eastern culture, family members, particularly male relatives, played a significant role in marriage arrangements. The brother, Laban, and the mother of Rebekah are exercising their cultural and familial authority. The Hebrew word for "brother" (אָח, 'ach) often signifies a close kinship bond, emphasizing the protective and guiding role of family in Rebekah's life. This reflects the importance of family consent and involvement in marriage decisions, a practice deeply rooted in the traditions of the time.

Let the girl remain with us
The request for Rebekah to stay longer highlights the emotional and social aspects of marriage. The Hebrew word for "girl" (נַעֲרָה, na'arah) indicates a young woman of marriageable age, underscoring her readiness for this new phase of life. The family's desire for her to remain suggests a reluctance to part with a beloved daughter and sister, reflecting the strong familial bonds and the significant transition marriage represented. This moment captures the tension between familial attachment and the fulfillment of God's plan, as orchestrated through Abraham's servant.

ten days or so
The specific mention of "ten days" (עֲשָׂרָה יָמִים, asarah yamim) can be seen as a culturally significant period, possibly intended for farewells and preparation. In the ancient world, numbers often held symbolic meaning, and the number ten can represent completeness or a full cycle. This request for a delay may also reflect a customary period for finalizing marriage arrangements or simply a desire for more time to adjust to the impending separation.

After that, she may go
This phrase indicates a conditional agreement, showing the family's willingness to eventually release Rebekah to fulfill the marriage agreement. The Hebrew verb "go" (יֵלֵךְ, yelech) implies a journey or transition, both physically and spiritually. It signifies Rebekah's movement from her family home to a new life with Isaac, aligning with God's providential plan. This moment is pivotal, as it underscores the theme of obedience and trust in God's promises, a recurring motif throughout the Genesis narrative.

(55) A few days, at the least ten.--Heb., days or a decade, which Onkelos, Saadja, Rashi, and others translate as in the margin: "a year or ten months." But while this rendering has high Jewish authority for it, yet more probably decade was the name for the third part of a month. It would be curious thus to find that the family of Terah, either with or instead of weeks, measured time by periods of ten days, as was certainly the custom of the Egyptians at one period of their history.

Verse 55. - And her brother and her mother - Laban as usual (ver. 50) having the first place; probably because of the prominence which from this time he assumes in the theocratic history - said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at least ten. Literally, days, at least (Vulgate, sagtem); as it were (LXX., etc.); perhaps (Murphy); or (Furst, Ewald, Kalisoh); if she wish, with the idea of choice. (Gesenius); a ten or decade of days; the עָשׂור being used as a measure of time analogous to the שָׁבוּעַor hebdomad. That ten months are meant (Chaldee, Arabic, Ainsworth) is probably incorrect. After that she shall go.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But her brother
אָחִ֙יהָ֙ (’ā·ḥî·hā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

and mother
וְאִמָּ֔הּ (wə·’im·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

said,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let the girl
הַנַּעֲרָ֥ (han·na·‘ă·rā)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden

remain
תֵּשֵׁ֨ב (tê·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

with us
אִתָּ֛נוּ (’it·tā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

ten
עָשׂ֑וֹר (‘ā·śō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6218: Ten, by abbreviated form ten strings, a decachord

days
יָמִ֖ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

or so.
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

After that,
אַחַ֖ר (’a·ḥar)
Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

she may go.”
תֵּלֵֽךְ׃ (tê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk


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OT Law: Genesis 24:55 Her brother and her mother said Let (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 24:54
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