Genesis 25:20
New International Version
and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

New Living Translation
When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

English Standard Version
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Berean Standard Bible
and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

Berean Literal Bible
and Isaac was a son of forty years when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramaean from Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramaean, to him as wife.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.

New American Standard Bible
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

NASB 1995
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

NASB 1977
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Legacy Standard Bible
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Amplified Bible
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean (Syrian) of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean.

Berean Annotated Bible
and Isaac (he laughs) was forty years old when he married Rebekah (ensnarer), the daughter of Bethuel (dweller in God) the Aramean (exalted) from Paddan-aram (northwest Mesopotamia) and the sister of Laban (white) the Aramean.

Christian Standard Bible
Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isaac was 40 years old when he took as his wife Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

American Standard Version
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.

Contemporary English Version
and he was 40 years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel. She was also the sister of Laban, the Aramean from northern Syria. Almost 20 years later,

English Revised Version
and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

Good News Translation
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebecca, the daughter of Bethuel (an Aramean from Mesopotamia) and sister of Laban.

International Standard Version
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

NET Bible
When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.

New Heart English Bible
Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

World English Bible
Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Isaac is a son of forty years in his taking Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean, from Padan-Aram, sister of Laban the Aramean, to him for a wife.

Berean Literal Bible
and Isaac was a son of forty years when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramaean from Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramaean, to him as wife.

Young's Literal Translation
and Isaac is a son of forty years in his taking Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramaean, from Padan-Aram, sister of Laban the Aramaean, to him for a wife.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Isaak shall be the son of forty years in his taking Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, sister of Laban the Syrian, to him for a wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who when he was forty years old, took to wife Rebecca the daughter of Bathuel the Syrian of Mesopotamia, sister to Laban.

Catholic Public Domain Version
who, when he was forty years old, took Rebekah, the sister of Laban, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian from Mesopotamia, as a wife.

New American Bible
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

New Revised Standard Version
and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Padan-aram, the sister of Laban, the Aramean (Syrian).

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Isaaq was a son of forty years when he took Raphqa, the daughter of Bethuyel, the Aramaean, from Padan d'Aram, the sister of Laban the Aramaean, a wife for himself.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean, of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Abraam begot Isaac. And Isaac was forty years old when he took to wife Rebecca, daughter of Bathuel the Syrian, out of Syrian Mesopotamia, sister of Laban the Syrian.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Jacob and Esau
19This is the account of Abraham’s son Isaac. Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean. 21Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.…

Cross References
Isaac was forty years old

Genesis 26:34
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.

Joshua 14:7
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back to him an honest report.

Acts 7:23
When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
when he married Rebekah,

Genesis 24:67
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

Genesis 24:64
And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel

Genesis 24:66
Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done.
the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean

Genesis 24:24
She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.”

Genesis 24:47
Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.

Genesis 24:15
Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
from Paddan-aram

Genesis 28:2
“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.

Genesis 28:7
and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.

Genesis 35:9
After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

Genesis 28:5
So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Genesis 24:29
Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring.

Genesis 24:50
Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter.
Genesis 24:3-4
and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

A.

Genesis 22:23
And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

Genesis 24:67
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

the Syrian.

Genesis 24:29
And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.

Genesis 28:5,6
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother…

Genesis 31:18,20,24
And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan…

Jump to Previous
Aram Aramaean Aramean Bethuel Bethu'el Daughter Forty Isaac Laban Married Padanaram Padan-Aram Paddan Paddan-Aram Rebecca Rebekah Sister Syrian Wife
Jump to Next
Aram Aramaean Aramean Bethuel Bethu'el Daughter Forty Isaac Laban Married Padanaram Padan-Aram Paddan Paddan-Aram Rebecca Rebekah Sister Syrian Wife
Genesis 25
1. The sons of Abraham by Keturah.
5. The division of his goods.
7. His age, death, and burial.
11. God blesses Isaac.
12. The generations of Ishmael.
17. His age and death.
19. Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.
22. The children strive in her womb.
24. The birth of Esau and Jacob.
27. Their different characters and pursuits.
29. Esau sells his birthright.












and Isaac was forty years old

Isaac entered marriage at an age marked by maturity and long preparation under Abraham’s household. His marriage advanced the covenant line through which God’s promises to Abraham would continue.

Gen 26:34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives…
Jos 14:7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD…
Act 7:23 When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit…

when he married Rebekah,

Rebekah had been providentially brought from Abraham’s relatives through the mission of Abraham’s servant. Their union established the next generation of the promised family.

Gen 24:67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah…
Gen 24:64 And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac…
Gen 24:66 Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done.

the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean

Bethuel belonged to Abraham’s extended family in the Aramean region, preserving a close kinship connection between Isaac and Rebekah.

Gen 24:24 She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel,…
Gen 24:47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’…
Gen 24:15 Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out…

from Paddan-aram

This fertile Mesopotamian area was the home of Nahor’s descendants and later became the setting for Jacob’s years with Laban.

Gen 28:2 Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of…
Gen 28:7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother…
Gen 35:9 After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram…

and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

Laban’s identification prepares for his later involvement in Jacob’s life, linking the households of Isaac and Jacob to the same family in Aram.

Gen 28:5 So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel…
Gen 24:29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban,…
Gen 24:50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD;……

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaac
The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a key patriarch in the lineage of the Israelites. His life is marked by obedience and faith, and he is a bridge between the promises given to Abraham and their continuation through Jacob.

2. Rebekah
The wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. Rebekah is known for her decisive actions and her role in the continuation of God's covenant through Jacob.

3. Bethuel
Rebekah's father, identified as an Aramean. His lineage connects Rebekah to the broader family of Abraham, emphasizing the importance of family ties in the biblical account.

4. Laban
Rebekah's brother, who later plays a significant role in the life of Jacob. Laban's interactions with Jacob highlight themes of family, deception, and God's providence.

5. Paddan-aram
A region in Mesopotamia, significant as the place where Abraham's family resided. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's promises through the patriarchs.
Teaching Points
God's Timing and Faithfulness
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, illustrating that God's timing is perfect. We are reminded to trust in God's plan and timing for our lives.

Importance of Family and Heritage
The emphasis on Rebekah's family background highlights the importance of maintaining faith and values within the family. We should strive to uphold and pass on our faith heritage.

Role of Obedience in God's Plan
Isaac's marriage to Rebekah was a result of obedience to God's guidance. Our obedience to God's will is crucial in fulfilling His purposes in our lives.

Providence in Relationships
The union of Isaac and Rebekah was orchestrated by God, showing that He is involved in our relationships. We should seek His guidance in our relational decisions.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 25:20?

2. How does Genesis 25:20 highlight God's timing in Isaac's marriage to Rebekah?

3. What role does family lineage play in Genesis 25:20 and God's covenant?

4. How does Isaac's marriage fulfill God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 17?

5. How can we trust God's plan for our relationships, as Isaac did?

6. What lessons about faithfulness can we learn from Isaac's obedience in Genesis 25:20?

7. How does Genesis 25:20 reflect God's sovereignty in choosing Isaac's wife?

8. Why is Rebekah's lineage significant in Genesis 25:20?

9. What does Genesis 25:20 reveal about marriage customs in biblical times?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 25?


Verse 20. - And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, - the valuable chronological fact here stated for the first time proves that Isaac was married three years after his mother's death (cf. Genesis 23:1) - the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian (vide on Genesis 22:23; 24:29). Though a descendant of Arphaxad (Genesis 10:24), Bethuel is styled a Syrian, or Aramaean, from the country of his adoption. On Padanaram vide Genesis 24:10.

Genesis 25:20 records more than a date and a wedding; it celebrates God’s meticulous orchestration of the covenant line. Isaac’s age spotlights patient faith, his marriage to Rebekah showcases obedient trust, and the repeated family and geographic details anchor the event in real history. Together they affirm that the Lord faithfully advances His promises through individuals who wait on Him, marry within His purposes, and pass the blessing to the next generation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and Isaac
יִצְחָק֙ (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

was
וַיְהִ֤י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

forty
אַרְבָּעִ֣ים (’ar·bā·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

years old
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

when he married
בְּקַחְתּ֣וֹ (bə·qaḥ·tōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

Rebekah,
רִבְקָ֗ה (riḇ·qāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Bethuel
בְּתוּאֵל֙ (bə·ṯū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1328: Bethuel -- perhaps 'man of God', a nephew of Abraham

the Aramean
הָֽאֲרַמִּ֔י (hā·’ă·ram·mî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 761: Aramean -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria)

from
מִפַּדַּ֖ן (mip·pad·dan)
Preposition
Strong's Hebrew

Paddan-aram
אֲרָ֑ם (’ă·rām)
Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6307: Paddan-aram -- the place where Rachel died

and the sister
אֲח֛וֹת (’ă·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

of Laban
לָבָ֥ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

the Aramean.
הָאֲרַמִּ֖י (hā·’ă·ram·mî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 761: Aramean -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria)


Additonal Resources
Genesis 25:20 Blue Letter Bible
Genesis 25:20 Bible Gateway
Genesis 25:20 Bible.com

Genesis 25:20 NIV
Genesis 25:20 NLT
Genesis 25:20 ESV
Genesis 25:20 NASB
Genesis 25:20 KJV

Genesis 25:20 Study Bible
Genesis 25:20 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 25:20 Chinese Bible
Genesis 25:20 French Bible
Genesis 25:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 25:20 Isaac was forty years old when he (Gen. Ge Gn)

Genesis 25:19
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