Jewish matriarch. Name distinctions: Rebecca; Rebecah. Born into the Mesopotamia; hidden from inside the Hebron; d’s nephew; ; children: two sons, Esau and Jacob.
Rebekah was born and you may raised inside Mesopotamia inside the 18th 100 years bce. This lady father are Bethuel, an excellent nephew of the Jewish patriarch Abraham, and you can she got at least one aunt, Laban (the father from Rachel and you will Leah ). Past one, a lot of her life is a puzzle until her options meeting with Abraham’s slave at well outside the woman urban area. Abraham’s household members dwelled throughout the home out-of Canaan, however, he wanted their 40-year-old kid Isaac to help you ia, thus he sent his slave to carry household a partner to possess Isaac. Followed closely by 10 camels laden with bridal gifts of gold, gold, and you may good attire, the new slave avoided during the a proper beyond your town of Nahor. Here, he questioned God getting a sign of the long run bride to be: your picked you would be she just who not merely assented giving your a drink and in addition volunteered in order to liquids their camels.
According to Bible, Rebekah, who had been “extremely fair to appear on” (Gen. ), reached the new well with an effective pitcher on her behalf neck to draw water. If servant asked for a glass or two, she readily consented and you can offered to drinking water their camels also, and thus satisfying the fresh sign you to she was usually the one. Whenever she had complete watering the fresh new camels, the fresh new servant given their a nose-ring and two gold bracelets, and you may expected to stay together with her family members. From the home out of Rebekah’s father, the brand new servant intricate his goal along with God’s revelation so you can your one Rebekah try the new picked fiance. The fresh new match seemed including fortuitous because of the undeniable fact that besides try Rebekah out of Abraham’s homeland, however, she was also the newest strong patriarch’s great-niece. Their family relations wanted to the marriage, and you can Rebekah remaining into the slave the very next day.
Rebekah (fl. as much as eighteenth c. BCE)
Up on its arrival in Canaan, Isaac and you will Rebekah have been ine in the area, the happy couple temporarily relocated to Philistine territory into the Western Canaan, maybe no more than 20 kilometers from the Mediterranean and beyond. Rebekah’s beauty was in a manner that Isaac alarmed anyone might eliminate him so you can wed her. A similar disease got occurred ages earlier that have Isaac’s mothers, Abraham and Sarah , when they got gone to live in the region. As the had been the actual situation together with dad, the new e in order to light. The latest Philistine king, Abimelech, receive their true matchmaking, but safe the couple away from damage by buying that no-one is always to molest them into the soreness out of demise. They stayed in one to belongings for a time, until Isaac’s actually ever-broadening wealth posed a threat into the Philistines, and pressed him to maneuver into the Valley from Gerar.
Even when Isaac appreciated Rebekah a whole lot, the girl infertility to possess 20 years eliminated her or him away from which have people. It was an extremely grave state, definition whilst didn’t just you to definitely Isaac had no 
heir in order to his big riches, however, you to definitely God’s guarantee to help you Abraham he carry out present a beneficial country
by way of their family members line could not feel found. Although not, just after 60-year-old Isaac pleaded which have God having a child, their prayer is answered. Seem to feeling an emotional pregnancy, Rebekah consulted an oracle and that told her: “One or two regions can be found in your womb, one or two individuals heading their own ways off beginning. One could be stronger than one other; the senior could be servant toward younger” (Gen. ). She produced twin people Esau and you will Jacob; Esau, brand new firstborn, is purple and you can furry, and Jacob was born clutching at the their brother’s back. The brand new rivalry amongst the people enhanced on favoritism found by the their parents. Isaac favored Esau, who appreciated google search and you will outdoor lifetime, when you are Rebekah favored Jacob, who was simply quiet and you will shrewd, much like she herself. Into the Isaac’s advancing years, Rebekah effortlessly plotted to help you deceive the lady blind spouse into offering his blessing in order to Jacob in place of Esau, as he had required. Within the Biblical times, which ceremony expressed clan frontrunners, and may also not be terminated. To keep Jacob of Esau’s payback next ruse, Rebekah sure Isaac to transmit Jacob north to look for a great girlfriend from within brand new system out-of her very own nearest and dearest.
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There’s no listing one to Rebekah actually watched the girl son once more, when he failed to come back to Canaan until immediately following their passing. She are tucked in good tomb regarding the Cave at the Machpelah, in which Abraham and Sarah together with was indeed hidden.
