When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a subtle but significant detail: the man gives Rebekah a single gold ring (or nose-jewel) weighing half a shekel, but two bracelets weighing ten shekels. This isn't just about the gifts themselves, but the intentional weighting of the gifts—a lighter, prominent personal ornament followed by more substantial arm adornments, hinting at their symbolic value beyond mere wealth.
When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abraham's servant, tasked with finding a wife for Isaac from his homeland, arrives at a well outside Nahor's city and prays for a sign to identify the right woman. After Rebekah shows exceptional kindness by drawing water for him and his ten camels, the servant gives her precious gold ornaments as a reward and a sign of his mission. This act is a clear signal of God's favor on the servant's quest, and he immediately asks her about her family, eager to confirm she is the one chosen for Isaac.
When you picture this scene, what kind of jewelry comes to mind? It might surprise you what the Bible actually says.
The verse mentions the man giving Rebekah a 'golden earring.' However, the original Hebrew word and later context strongly suggest it was actually a nose ring. This detail matters because it paints a clearer picture of the cultural significance of such gifts.
This isn't just about a transaction; it's about a divine strategy unfolding through human kindness. What do these gifts reveal about God's character?
The man gives Rebekah a nose ring and two bracelets, totaling ten shekels of gold. This isn't a small token; it's a substantial gift. The value of these items speaks volumes about the seriousness of Abraham's mission and the God who guided it.
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Understand the original words
sheqel · Hebrew Noun
A unit of weight used in ancient Israel, typically associated with currency or precious metals like gold or silver; here it denotes the high value of the gifts given to Rebecca.
The elaborate jewelry given to Rebekah was more than just adornment; it represented a significant betrothal gift, demonstrating the wealth and seriousness of Abraham's intentions, and serving as tangible confirmation of God's favor in this crucial marriage arrangement.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham settles in Canaan
Abraham and his family, including his nephew Lot, move from Ur to Canaan, establishing a nomadic life centered around God's covenant promises.
c. 1970 BC
Sarah's death
Abraham's wife Sarah dies at 127 years old. Her death marks a significant period of grief for Abraham and Isaac, and prompts Abraham to arrange Isaac's marriage.
c. 1970 BC— this verse
Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac
Abraham, deeply concerned for Isaac's future and the covenant promises, sends his most trusted servant, Eliezer, back to his ancestral homeland in Mesopotamia to find a suitable wife for Isaac among his relatives.
c. 1970 BC
Eliezer arrives in Haran
Eliezer reaches the region of Haran, near the city of Nahor, where Abraham's relatives live. He waits by a well, praying for divine guidance.
c. 1970 BC
Rebekah meets Eliezer at the well
Rebekah, granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham's brother, generously draws water for Eliezer and his camels, fulfilling the sign Eliezer had requested from God.
c. 1970 BC
Eliezer presents gifts to Rebekah
As confirmation of God's favor and as a betrothal gift, Eliezer gives Rebekah a gold nose-ring (or forehead jewel) and two gold bracelets, weighing approximately half a shekel and ten shekels respectively.
c. 1970 BC
Rebekah agrees to marry Isaac
After confirmation from her family, Rebekah agrees to leave her home and marry Isaac, trusting in God's guidance for her future.
This passage mentions the 'half shekel' used for the census tax, providing a historical context for the weight and value of the gold given to Rebekah.
Ezekiel 16:12This verse also speaks of jewelry placed on a woman's nose, reinforcing the interpretation that the 'golden ring' given to Rebekah was likely a nose ornament, a common adornment in the ancient Near East.
Proverbs 11:22This proverb uses the imagery of a 'golden nose ring' to describe a beautiful woman lacking discretion, further illustrating the type of ornament and its cultural significance.
Isaiah 3:21This prophecy lists various feminine adornments, including 'rings' and 'bracelets,' highlighting the types of jewelry that were common and the context of their use in ancient Israelite society.
Genesis 24:47This verse directly follows the description of the gifts and states the servant put the ring 'upon her nose,' providing definitive confirmation of the ornament's placement and nature.
cambridgeGenesis 24:22: "And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;"
22 . a golden ring ] The ring ( nezem ) was probably a nose-ring, cf. Genesis 24:47 . So the Samaritan version here reads “and put it on her nose.” LXX ἐνώτια , Lat. inaures = “earrings.” See for the nezem Proverbs 11:22 , Isaiah 3:21 , Ezekiel 16:12 , where in each case a nose-jewel is indicated. half a…
ellicottGenesis 24:22: "And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;"
(22) Earring. —Really nose-ring; for in Genesis 24:47 the man places it on her nose, wrongly translated face in our version. The word occurs again in Ezekiel 16:12 , where it is rendered jewel, and again is placed “on the nose;” it is also similarly translated jewel in Proverbs 11:22 , where it is placed…
The verse highlights a subtle but significant detail: the man gives Rebekah a single gold ring (or nose-jewel) weighing half a shekel, but two bracelets weighing ten shekels. This isn't just about the gifts themselves, but the intentional weighting of the gifts—a lighter, prominent personal ornament followed by more substantial arm adornments, hinting at their symbolic value beyond mere wealth.
Abraham's servant, tasked with finding a wife for Isaac from his homeland, arrives at a well outside Nahor's city and prays for a sign to identify the right woman. After Rebekah shows exceptional kindness by drawing water for him and his ten camels, the servant gives her precious gold ornaments as a reward and a sign of his mission. This act is a clear signal of God's favor on the servant's quest, and he immediately asks her about her family, eager to confirm she is the one chosen for Isaac.
Abraham's servant, tasked with finding a wife for Isaac from his homeland, arrives at a well outside Nahor's city and prays for a sign to identify the right woman. After Rebekah shows exceptional kindness by drawing water for him and his ten camels, the servant gives her precious gold ornaments as a reward and a sign of his mission. This act is a clear signal of God's favor on the servant's quest, and he immediately asks her about her family, eager to confirm she is the one chosen for Isaac.
"When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels," — The verse highlights a subtle but significant detail: the man gives Rebekah a single gold ring (or nose-jewel) weighing half a shekel, but two bracelets weighing ten shekels. This isn't just about th…
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Last reviewed October 2026