Tuesday Torah Class: Chayei Sara 11/7/23

(50) Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The matter was decreed by יהוה; we cannot speak to you bad or good.(51) Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be a wife to your master’s son, as יהוה has spoken.”(52) When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed low to the ground before יהוה.(53) The servant brought out objects of silver and gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; and he gave presents to her brother and her mother.(54) Then he and the entourage under him ate and drank, and they spent the night. When they arose next morning, he said, “Give me leave to go to my master.”(55) But her brother and her mother said, “Let the maiden remain with us some ten days;*some ten days Lit. “days or ten.” then you may go.”(56) He said to them, “Do not delay me, now that יהוה has made my errand successful. Give me leave that I may go to my master.”(57) And they said, “Let us call the girl and ask for her reply.”(58) They called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man*man See note at v. 21. ?” And she said, “I will.”(59) So they sent off their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his entourage.(60) And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,
“O sister!
May you grow
Into thousands of myriads;
May your descendants seize
The gates of their foes.”

ויען לבן ובתואל THEN LABAN AND BETHUEL ANSWERED —He (Laban) was a wicked person and so rushed in to answer before his father.

ויען לבן ובתואל, Lavan spoke before his father seeing that Betuel was an old man and the affairs of the family were already being conducted by his son Lavan.