Genesis 24:50
ESV
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good.
NIV
Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other.
NASB
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, 'The matter has come from the Lord; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.
CSB
Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the Lord; we have no choice in the matter.
NLT
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, 'The Lord has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say.
KJV
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
NKJV
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
What does Genesis 24:50 mean?
After hearing the full story from Abraham's servant and then hearing his forceful question—will you show loving kindness and faithfulness to Abraham—Rebekah's brother and father quickly respond that the decision is not theirs to make, after all. The implication of their words is that if this from the Lord, it doesn't even matter what they might think, "bad or good." While this seems to be a positive response, in a way, it is not the end of the story. After the servant gives additional gifts and stays for the night (Genesis 24:52–53), the family will realize how quickly Rebekah will be gone, and try to negotiate for her to stay a while longer (Genesis 24:54–55).Genesis 24:28–59 describes how Abraham's servant, confident he has found God's intended woman for Abraham's son, approaches Rebekah's family to ask for her hand in marriage to Isaac. After being welcomed into their household, the servant tells, in great detail, the story of how God has lead him to Rebekah and their home. Rebekah's father and brother quickly agree that they must allow this marriage to happen. After a bit of negotiation the next morning about when Rebekah will travel to Canaan, Rebekah agrees to leave that very day.
Abraham asks his most trusted servant to travel to his former homeland to find a wife for his son Isaac. Swearing to do so, the servant arrives at the city of Nahor and asks the Lord to show him which young women is appointed for Isaac. Finding Rebekah, the very granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, the servant reveals the reason for his journey to her family. Her father Bethuel and brother Laban agree to allow Rebekah to travel to Canaan and marry Isaac, which she does.