Rebekah expresses her urgent concern that Jacob find a spouse who honors the faith she zealously upholds.
In Genesis 27:46Genesis 27:46 commentary, commentaryRebekah said to Isaac, "I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?" (v. 46). Rebekah laments the prospect of her son Jacob marrying into the local Canaanite families. Thedaughters of Heth describe the women belonging to the Hittite population in the region of Canaan, a land that lay between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Rebekah’s frustration reveals her deep concern that Jacob might be influenced away from the promises and covenant that God had given to her husband Isaac and his father Abraham.
Rebekah, living around the early 2nd millennium BC, was herself brought from Mesopotamia to marry Isaac, Abraham’s promised son (Genesis 24Genesis 24 commentary). In that earlier event, Abraham insisted Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman, a pattern that Rebekah now seeks to continue through Jacob. Her words show the importance of preserving faith within the family lineage, which foreshadows how future Israelites would seek to guard against alliances that might draw them into idolatry. By expressing her dismay, Rebekah underscores how crucial it was for her son’s wife to share in worship of the one true God.
Rebekah’s determination carries forward the legacy of faith that would eventually culminate in Jesus Christ, whom the New Testament describes as the fulfillment of God’s promises (Galatians 3:16Galatians 3:16 commentary). Her statement also reminds us that the union of two people has broad implications for spiritual growth and heritage. Rebekah fears that a marriage apart from God’s direction would jeopardize the future of their entire household, as well as the covenant blessings meant to bring redemption to the world. Genesis 27:46Genesis 27:46 commentary powerfully illustrates the tension between living surrounded by cultures with different beliefs and the desire to remain devoted to God.
Genesis 27:46 meaning
In Genesis 27:46Genesis 27:46 commentary, commentary Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?" (v. 46). Rebekah laments the prospect of her son Jacob marrying into the local Canaanite families. The daughters of Heth describe the women belonging to the Hittite population in the region of Canaan, a land that lay between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Rebekah’s frustration reveals her deep concern that Jacob might be influenced away from the promises and covenant that God had given to her husband Isaac and his father Abraham.
Rebekah, living around the early 2nd millennium BC, was herself brought from Mesopotamia to marry Isaac, Abraham’s promised son (Genesis 24Genesis 24 commentary). In that earlier event, Abraham insisted Isaac not marry a Canaanite woman, a pattern that Rebekah now seeks to continue through Jacob. Her words show the importance of preserving faith within the family lineage, which foreshadows how future Israelites would seek to guard against alliances that might draw them into idolatry. By expressing her dismay, Rebekah underscores how crucial it was for her son’s wife to share in worship of the one true God.
Rebekah’s determination carries forward the legacy of faith that would eventually culminate in Jesus Christ, whom the New Testament describes as the fulfillment of God’s promises (Galatians 3:16Galatians 3:16 commentary). Her statement also reminds us that the union of two people has broad implications for spiritual growth and heritage. Rebekah fears that a marriage apart from God’s direction would jeopardize the future of their entire household, as well as the covenant blessings meant to bring redemption to the world. Genesis 27:46Genesis 27:46 commentary powerfully illustrates the tension between living surrounded by cultures with different beliefs and the desire to remain devoted to God.