Rebekah
Matriarch who orchestrated Jacob's blessing and fled with Isaac.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
Rebekah is a figure in the Genesis narrative, introduced as the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah and Nahor, Abraham's brother (Genesis 22:23; Genesis 24:15). She becomes the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son, and the mother of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 24:67; Genesis 25:20; Genesis 25:28). Her story is primarily told in Genesis 24–28, where she is depicted as a decisive and influential matriarch.
- Father
- Bethuel (Genesis 22:23; Genesis 24:15)
- Mother
- Milcah (Genesis 24:15)
- Brother
- Laban (Genesis 24:29; Genesis 25:20)
- Husband
- Isaac (Genesis 24:67)
- Sons
- Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:28; Genesis 28:5)
- Nurse
- Deborah (Genesis 35:8)
Lore & Background
Rebekah first appears at a well, where she draws water for Abraham's servant, fulfilling a sign that identifies her as Isaac's intended wife (Genesis 24:15; Genesis 24:45). She agrees to leave her family immediately (Genesis 24:58) and is blessed by her brother and mother to become the mother of thousands (Genesis 24:60). After marrying Isaac, she conceives twins after Isaac's prayer (Genesis 25:21), and the narrative notes that Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28). Later, Rebekah overhears Isaac planning to bless Esau and orchestrates a scheme for Jacob to receive the blessing instead (Genesis 27:5-6; Genesis 27:15). When Esau threatens to kill Jacob, Rebekah sends Jacob to her brother Laban in Padanaram, using her weariness with Hittite daughters-in-law as a pretext (Genesis 27:42; Genesis 27:46). Her nurse Deborah is later mentioned as having died and been buried under an oak (Genesis 35:8).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Rebekah as a proactive and resourceful woman. She is first shown as hospitable and industrious, drawing water for a stranger and his camels (Genesis 24:15; Genesis 24:45). Her willingness to leave immediately with the servant (Genesis 24:58) demonstrates her decisiveness. As a wife, she is initially barren, but after Isaac's prayer she conceives (Genesis 25:21). The text notes her favoritism toward Jacob (Genesis 25:28), which drives her to engineer the deception of Isaac to secure the blessing for Jacob (Genesis 27:5-15). She also acts protectively, warning Jacob of Esau's murderous intent and arranging his departure (Genesis 27:42-46). Her role is pivotal in the continuation of the Abrahamic lineage through Jacob.
Did You Know?
- Rebekah is the only matriarch whose birth is explicitly recorded in the passages (Genesis 22:23).
- She was given jewels, silver, gold, and raiment by Abraham's servant upon betrothal (Genesis 24:53).
- Isaac loved Rebekah and was comforted by her after his mother Sarah's death (Genesis 24:67).
- Rebekah's nurse Deborah is the only nurse named in the passages, and her death is recorded (Genesis 35:8).
Elsewhere in the Figures of Scripture universe
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