The story of Isaac and Rebekah — a servant travels to a far country, prays at a well, and asks God for a very specific sign to reveal the woman he is looking for.
It is one of the Bible’s great accounts of answered prayer, found in Genesis 24, where Abraham seeks a wife for his son Isaac.
The Story of Isaac and Rebekah
Abraham was old, and he wanted his son Isaac to marry a woman from his own people rather than from the land where they lived. So he called his trusted servant and sent him on a long journey back to Abraham’s homeland.
When the servant arrived, he stopped at a well outside the city as evening came and the women went out to draw water. He prayed for guidance and asked God for a sign.
He asked that the right woman would not only give him a drink but also offer to water his camels. Before he finished praying, Rebekah came to the well, gave him water, and offered to draw for his camels too.
The servant knew his prayer had been answered. He gave Rebekah gold jewelry and went with her to meet her family, telling them the whole story of how God had led him.
Her family agreed, and when they asked Rebekah, she said, “I will go.” She traveled back with the servant and became the wife of Isaac. Later she gave birth to twin sons, Jacob and Esau.
Key Verses
“Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink.” Genesis 24:14
“And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.” Genesis 24:64
“And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her.” Genesis 24:67
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation.
What the Story of Isaac and Rebekah Teaches Us
This story shows how prayer and everyday kindness can meet in a single moment. Rebekah was simply doing a hard, generous task, and her willingness to serve became the very sign the servant was waiting for.
It also reminds us that God often works through patient trust and small steps of faith. The servant prayed, watched, and acted, and Rebekah answered a big question with three quiet words: “I will go.”
Color the story. You can bring Rebekah at the well to life in the Genesis Coloring Book — Volume 1, which pairs every scene with a matching Bible verse. See it in the shop →
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Isaac and Rebekah?
Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah, and Rebekah became his wife. They were the parents of twin sons, Jacob and Esau, and part of the family line that runs through the book of Genesis.
What sign did Abraham’s servant pray for at the well?
The servant prayed that the right woman would offer him a drink of water and also offer to water his camels. Rebekah did exactly that, which showed him his prayer had been answered.
Why did Abraham send his servant to find a wife for Isaac?
Abraham wanted Isaac to marry a woman from his own people and homeland rather than from the surrounding land where they were living. So he sent his trusted servant on a long journey to find her.
What did Rebekah say when asked to leave with the servant?
After her family heard the servant’s story and gave their blessing, they asked Rebekah if she would go. She answered simply, “I will go,” and traveled back to marry Isaac.
Where is the story of Isaac and Rebekah in the Bible?
The story is found in Genesis chapter 24. It describes Abraham’s servant traveling to find a wife for Isaac, his prayer at the well, and Rebekah agreeing to return with him.