Bethuel בְּתוּאֵל

Male Early Patriarch H1328A 1 book

Father of Rebekah, Isaac's wife

Biography

Bethuel was the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and Milcah, the daughter of Haran (Gen. 22:22-23). He lived in Paddan-aram, the region where Abraham's family originated. Bethuel was the father of Rebekah, who became the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son (Gen. 24:15, 24, 47). When Abraham's servant was sent to find a wife for Isaac, he was led to Rebekah, and Bethuel, along with his son Laban, agreed to the marriage (Gen. 24:50-51). Bethuel's lineage is significant, as it demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would come from his own family line (Gen. 17:4-7). Rebekah's marriage to Isaac ensured the continuation of the covenant promise through the next generation (Gen. 25:20; 28:2, 5).

Family

In Scripture

1 biblical book ; 1 with study content
Genesis 5 verses
  • Genesis 22:22

    "Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.”"

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  • Genesis 22:23

    "Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother."

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  • Genesis 24:15

    "Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder."

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  • Genesis 24:24

    "She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”"

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  • Genesis 24:47

    "I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands."

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Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Hebrew בְּתוּאֵל H1328A
Encyclopedia Article

Bethuel (1)

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

sRef="Bible:Gen.24.24">24,47,50; 25:20; 28:2,5). In the last-named passage, he is surnamed "the Syrian." The only place where he appears as a leading character in the narrative is in connection with Rebekah's betrothal to Isaac; and even here, his son Laban stands out more prominently than he--a fact explainable on the ground of the custom which recognized the right of the brother to take a special interest in the welfare of the sister (compare Ge 34:5,21,25; 2Sa 13:20,22). Ant, I, xvi, 2 states that Bethuel was dead at this time.

Frank E. Hirsch

be-thu'-el, beth'-u-el (bethu'el, "destroyed of God"): A town of Simeon (1Ch 4:30), the same as Bethul (Jos 19:4), and, probably, as the Be