Bethuel (בתואל, pronounced Besuel or Betuel) was the father of Rebbeca, who married Isaac. He was the son of Nachor, Abraham’s brother, making him and Isaac first cousins. And his son Laban was the wily father of Leah and Rachel, Jacob’s wives.

Bethuel is mentioned in the final verses of the Torah portion of Vayera, after the dramatic events of Isaac almost being slaughtered as a sacrifice. Abraham is informed that his brother Nachor has a son Bethuel and Bethuel has a daughter, Rebecca.1

He features more extensively in the following portion, Chayei Sarah. There we read how Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to Aram Naharayim, east of the Holy Land, where Bethuel lived, specifically to find Isaac a wife from among his kin. Eliezer meets Rebbecca at the village well, is impressed by her kindness, and goes to the family home to clinch the match.2

During the course of the narrative, one notices several anomalies.

In the scriptural narrative, Bethuel is only active once, when he and his son Laban reply to Eliezer’s marriage offer for Rebecca. Oddly enough, Laban, the son, is listed before the father, as if he is taking the lead role in the negotiations.

Then, the following morning, when Eliezer asks to leave, Bethuel has disappeared altogether and only Rebbeca’s mother and brother reply, asking that the girl remain home for more time.

What happened to Bethuel?

Rashi cites the Midrashic traditions that fill in the blanks.

Early on, Laban was edging Bethuel out, acting impudently by speaking before his father.3

But Bethuel was far from a passive bystander. Sensing that he would have no choice but to agree to the match Eliezer was proposing, Bethuel prepared a poisonous portion of food and served it to Eliezer. Eliezer, however, declined to eat until the matter was settled.4 In the meantime, an angel switched their portions and Bethuel ended up dying of the poison he himself prepared.5