John Calvin Commentary Genesis 24:64

"And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel." — Genesis 24:64 (ASV)

And Rebekah lifted up her eyes. We may easily conjecture that Isaac, when he saw the camels, turned his steps toward them out of a desire to see his bride; this prompted Rebekah's inquiry. Having received the answer, she immediately, to honor her husband, dismounted her camel to greet him.

The idea that she fell, struck with fear, as some suppose, is not at all consistent with the narrative. She had undertaken too long a journey, under the protection of many attendants, to be so greatly afraid at the sight of one man. But these interpreters are deceived because they do not perceive that Moses later gives the reason: when Rebekah saw Isaac, she alighted from her camel because she had inquired of the servant who he was and had been told that he was the son of his master, Abraham.

It would not have occurred to her to make such an inquiry about any person she might accidentally meet; but since she had been informed that Abraham’s house was not far away, she supposes him to be at least one of the household servants. Moses also says that she took a veil, which was a token of shame and modesty.

Hence also, the Latin word for “to marry” is derived, because it was the custom for brides to be given veiled to their husbands. I have no doubt that the same rite was also observed by the patriarchs. All the more shameful, and less excusable, is the licentiousness of our own age, in which bridal attire seems purposely designed to subvert all modesty.