Genesis 24:28

Genesis 24:28

And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.

a. NLT: The young woman ran home to tell her family everything that had happened.

b. NIV: The young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

c. YLT: And the young person runneth, and declareth to the house of her mother according to these words.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: The girl related to her mother’s household what had happened.

e. Septuagint: And the damsel ran and reported to the house of her mother according to these words.

f. Stone Edition Chumash Torah: The maiden ran and told her motherr’s household  according of  these events.

1. “And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.”

a. the damsel [5291 *  na`arah] [Strong: feminine of 5288; a girl (from infancy to adolescence):--damsel, maid(-en), young (woman).]

b. ran [7323 * ruwts] [Strong: a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush):--break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post.]

c. and told [5046 * nagad] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.]

d. them of her mother’s [517 * 'em] [Strong: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like 1):--dam, mother, X parting.]

e. house [1004 * bayith] [Strong: probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court, daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out).]

1). Stone Edition Chumash Torah, note under Genesis 24:28: The Torah introduces us to Rebecca’s family, where it seems that her father played little role, and her brother, Laban was dominate. In those days, the women had separate houses where they did their work, and since a daughter naturally confides in her mother, Rebecca ran and told her mother about her encounter at the well. Once the family heard the news, Laban took charge. From the profound influence he exercised in the household it would appear that he was either the only son or the oldest.

2). Adam Clarke Commentary: Some have conjectured from this that her father Bethuel was dead; and the person called Bethuel, Genesis 24:50, was a younger brother. This is possible, but the mother's house might be mentioned were even the father alive; for in Asiatic countries the women have apartments entirely separate from those of the men, in which their little children and grown-up daughters reside with them. This was probably the case here, though it is very likely that Bethuel was dead, as the whole business appears to be conducted by Rebekah's brothers.

3). John Gill Commentary:   she did not go to her father to inform him of it; some think he was dead, as Josephus (g), but the contrary appears from Genesis 24:50; rather the reason was, because her mother had an house, a tent, or an apartment to herself, as women in those times and places used to have, see Genesis 24:67; and because daughters are generally more free to converse with their mothers and impart things to them than to their fathers, which may be the true reason of Rebekah's conduct. 

4). Personally I do not believe Bethuel was dead, I just think that Laban was running the family affiars.

f. these things [1697 * dabar] [Strong: from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.]