What was Laban’s hurry? (Gensis 24:29–30)
29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "Thus the man spoke to me," he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring.
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Asked May 24 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
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Singapore Moses
Supporter
Even Eliezer RAN to meet her (Gen 24:17)' Eliezer had works to go with his faith. He did all that was necessary on his part, running to see if this could be the answer to his prayer (Gen 24:17 cp. Jas. 2:14-26). Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, She did just the way he prayed in Gen. 24:14. Rebekah means "captivating." See this illustrated in Gen. 26:7-11. She was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her. Rebekah was so virtuous that she was simply extending her hospitality to a stranger (without expecting anything) even before gold was offered to her. She also said they have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. Note the hospitality to strangers. Eliezer with FAITH in God, offered her nose rings and 10 shekel of Gold. One shekel weighed 240 grains--about half an ounce. A half-shekel (or bekah) would be worth about $1000. The gold in the two bracelets--about five ounces--would be worth $20,000, not including the cost of precious stones. Bracelets were commonly worn by women in the East. Made of gold, silver, steel, brass, copper, and beads, they sometimes covered the arm from wrist to elbow (see Num. 31:50; Ezek. 16:11; 23:42). Rebekah, the damsel RAN to tell the good news to her brother Laban. (Cp. Gen. 24:20; Jn. 4:280. Laban ALSO ran and he showed kindness after he saw, but Rebekah showed it before she saw. This was characteristic of Laban (Gen. 29:13--31:55). So Laban hurried to welcome the guest. This implies both Rebekah & Laban had an alert, active, and merry disposition as it is the PERFECT will of God.
Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that, aside from a "normal" desire to show hospitality to a guest and not keep him waiting, Laban's haste could have been influenced by the nose ring and bracelets that Abraham's servant had put on Rebekah, as indicated in verse 47 of the chapter. These items were indications of both the servant's serious intentions, and of Abraham's wealth. Also, Laban's haste may have resulted from his apparently having more of a direct role (arising from being Rebekah's brother) in the process of Rebekah's betrothal than even her father Bethuel, possibly due to Bethuel having multiple wives. (Note that when Rebekah ran to tell her family, verse 28 indicates that she ran and told her mother's household.)
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