Bethuel is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, primarily known as the son of Nahor and the father of Rebekah. His account is woven into the patriarchal narratives of Genesis, where he is mentioned in the context of the family lineage that plays a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.

Genealogy and Family Background

Bethuel is introduced in the genealogical records of Genesis as the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and Milcah, Nahor's wife. This makes Bethuel a nephew of Abraham, the patriarch with whom God established His covenant. The Bible records, "After these events, it was reported to Abraham, 'Milcah has also borne sons to your brother Nahor: Uz the firstborn, his brother Buz, Kemuel the father of Aram, Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.' And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah" (Genesis 22:20-23).

Role in the Patriarchal Narrative

Bethuel's most notable contribution to the biblical narrative is through his daughter, Rebekah. Rebekah becomes a central figure as the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son, and the mother of Jacob and Esau. The account of Rebekah's selection as Isaac's wife is a pivotal moment in the Genesis narrative, highlighting God's providence and the continuation of His promises to Abraham's descendants.

The account unfolds in Genesis 24, where Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his own kindred. The servant arrives in the city of Nahor and encounters Rebekah, who is described as "the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor" (Genesis 24:15). This encounter leads to Rebekah's marriage to Isaac, thus integrating Bethuel's lineage into the Abrahamic covenant.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Bethuel's inclusion in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of family lineage and the fulfillment of divine promises through specific familial lines. His connection to both Abraham and Rebekah places him within the broader context of God's redemptive plan, as the covenantal blessings promised to Abraham are passed down through Isaac and Jacob.

Theologically, Bethuel's role, though not extensively detailed, serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty in orchestrating events and relationships to fulfill His purposes. The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, facilitated by Bethuel's family, is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving the line through which the Messiah would eventually come.

References in Scripture

Bethuel is mentioned in several key passages within the book of Genesis, primarily in the context of genealogies and the narrative of Isaac and Rebekah's marriage. These references include:

· Genesis 22:20-23: The genealogy of Nahor's family, introducing Bethuel as the father of Rebekah.
· Genesis 24:15, 24, 47: The account of Abraham's servant meeting Rebekah and identifying her as the daughter of Bethuel.
· Genesis 25:20: The mention of Rebekah as the daughter of Bethuel in the context of Isaac's marriage.

Bethuel's presence in these passages highlights his role in the unfolding of God's covenantal history, serving as a link between the patriarchs and the continuation of God's promises to His chosen people.Genesis 22:22,23
And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 24:15,24
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 on her shoulder.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 25:20
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 28:2,5
Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father; and take you a wife from there of the daughers of Laban your mother's brother.
Nave's Topical Index

Chapter xxix
... to know Laban, whom he here calls, "the son of Nahor" rather then Bethuel's son,
naming the ... he was her father's kinsman and that he was a son of Rebekah ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxix.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... And she answered: I am daughter to Bethuel, Nahor's son, and in my father's house
is place ... The maid Rebekah ran and told at home all that she had heard. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Chapter xxiv
... father's house? And she said to him: The daughter of Bethuel, the son
of Milcah, am I, whom she bore to Nahor. She further ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... to go, he departed anon, and went into Mesopotamia of Syria to Laban, son of Bethuel,
brother of ... Then he asking them said: Know ye not Laban, son of Nahor? ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

Chapter xxii
... born him legitimate offspring in the son of promise ... Pildash, and Yidlaph, and Bethuel
(and Bethuel begat Rebekah ... eight did Milcah bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... For Terah begat Abraham and Nahor and Aram: and Aram begat Lot. ... Esau, Jacob's brother,
was certainly not there, and Laban, the son of Bethuel, had no ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Who was Rebekah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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