Genesis 24:53

jewels … silver … gold … raiment The word "jewels" in the original is indefinite, and might be rendered "vessels," as LXX σκεύη and Lat. vasa. The servant's first act is to ratify the betrothal by making the betrothal gifts to the bride. Oriental custom required that, at the betrothal, gifts should be made to the parents or nearest representative relations of the bride. Mention of marriage gifts (mohar) to the bride's family is found also in Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:16-17; Deu 22:19; 1 Samuel 18:25. The custom must be regarded as a remnant of still earlier times, when the bride was purchased, and the marriage ceremony consisted chiefly of a financial transaction. In this verse, the "precious things," given by the servant to Rebekah's brother and mother, constitute the customary moharto the bride's family. This custom is also mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi, §§ 159 161.

It is noticeable that the "precious things" are given, not to Rebekah's father, Bethuel, but to her brother and mother. This is an important point in favour of the view, mentioned above, that Bethuel's name in Genesis 24:50 is an interpolation (see note on Genesis 24:15).