What does Genesis 27:46 mean?
"And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?" - Genesis 27:46
In Genesis 27:46, Rebekah, the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau, speaks to her son Jacob after he is sent away by Isaac to find a wife from among their relatives in Paddan-aram. She says, "And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?"
This verse reveals the deep concern and distress of Rebak's heart. The daughters of Heth were idolaters and people who did not worship the God of Israel. Rebekah, being mindful of the promises given to her and Isaac's lineage, was deeply distressed that Jacob might take a wife from among these pagan people. She was worried about the spiritual heritage of her family and the continuation of God's covenant and promises through their descendants.
Rebekah's concern was rooted in the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, where God had promised to make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. This promise was reaffirmed to Isaac in Genesis 26:3-4 when God said, "To you and your descendants, I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed."
The context of this verse is significant, as it not only reveals Rebekah's concern for the spiritual well-being of her family but also points to the larger theme of God's faithfulness to His promises and the importance of the spiritual heritage of His people. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the necessity of marrying within the faith community to continue the line of God's chosen people.
Symbolically, Rebekah's concern can be seen as a representation of the struggle to maintain purity and faithfulness in a world filled with idolatry and ungodly influences. It highlights the tension between faithfulness to God's commands and the temptations of the world. Rebekah's concern for the spiritual heritage of her family can be seen as a reflection of God's desire for His people to remain separate from the sinful practices of the world and to uphold the values and beliefs of their faith.
In a broader theological sense, this verse also points to the importance of obedience and trust in God's providence. Rebekah's concern, while valid, ultimately reveals her lack of trust in God's ability to guide and protect her family. It serves as a reminder to believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to seek His guidance in all matters, including the choice of a spouse.
In conclusion, Genesis 27:46 captures Rebekah's deep concern for the spiritual well-being of her family and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God's covenant and promises. It emphasizes the theme of God's faithfulness to His people and the tension between obedience to His commands and the temptations of the world. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's providence and seeking His guidance in all aspects of life.
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Genesis 27:46 - "And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?"
Genesis 27:46 KJV And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
"And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?" - Genesis 27:46
Genesis 46:27 - "And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten."
Matthew 27:46
Genesis 46:23 - "¶ And the sons of Dan; Hushim."
Genesis 24-46
Genesis 46:9 - "And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi."
Genesis 46:11 - "¶ And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."
Genesis 46:14 - "¶ And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel."
Genesis 46:24 - "¶ And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem."
Genesis 46:13 - "¶ And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron."
Genesis 46:19 - "The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin."
Genesis 46:22 - "These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen."
"¶ And the sons of Dan; Hushim." - Genesis 46:23
Genesis 46:16 - "¶ And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli."
"And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten." - Genesis 46:27
Genesis 46:21 - "¶ And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard."
"¶ And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron." - Genesis 46:13
"¶ And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem." - Genesis 46:24
"The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin." - Genesis 46:19
Genesis 46:2 - "And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I."
Genesis 46:10 - "¶ And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman."
"¶ And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari." - Genesis 46:11
"¶ And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel." - Genesis 46:14
Genesis 46:18 - "These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls."
Genesis 46:28 - "¶ And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen."
Genesis 31:46 - "And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap."
Genesis 46:8 - "¶ And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn."
Genesis 46:17 - "¶ And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel."