Wife of Isaac, mother of Jacob and Esau; chosen at a well by Abraham's servant
Rebekah
reh-BEK-uh
The woman chosen at a well in Mesopotamia to become Isaac's wife, whose favoritism toward her younger son Jacob led her to orchestrate the deception that secured him his father's blessing over his twin brother Esau.
Life and work
Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel and granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, living in the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia. When Abraham's servant traveled there to find a wife for Isaac, he prayed for a sign at the town well; Rebekah, arriving to draw water, offered to water his camels as well — fulfilling the servant's prayer exactly. Her family agreed to the match, and she consented to leave immediately for Canaan, where she married Isaac, who found comfort in her after his mother Sarah's death (Genesis 24).
Rebekah was barren for twenty years before Isaac prayed for her, and she conceived twins who struggled within her; when she inquired of the LORD, she was told two nations were in her womb and that 'the older shall serve the younger.' She gave birth to Esau, the elder, and Jacob, who came out grasping his brother's heel (Genesis 25:19-26).
Rebekah favored Jacob, while Isaac favored Esau. When Isaac, old and blind, prepared to bless Esau, Rebekah overheard and orchestrated a deception: she dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes and covered his arms with goatskins to mimic Esau's hairiness, then had him bring Isaac a prepared meal in Esau's place. Isaac, deceived, gave Jacob the blessing intended for his firstborn. When Esau's fury threatened Jacob's life, Rebekah arranged for Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran (Genesis 27).
- Places
- The city of Nahor in Mesopotamia, then Canaan (chiefly Beersheba and Gerar) after her marriage to Isaac
Questions and debates
Rebekah's deception of her blind husband Isaac to secure the blessing for her favored son Jacob over the rightful firstborn Esau (Genesis 27) is a well-documented and frequently discussed episode of favoritism and manipulation within the patriarchal narrative, with consequences (Jacob's forced flight, decades of estrangement between the brothers) that the text itself treats seriously.
Extra-biblical evidence
No extra-biblical inscription or ancient record refers to Rebekah as a historical individual; she is known only from the Genesis narrative.
Scripture references
- Genesis 24:15-67 — Chosen at the well and married to Isaac
- Genesis 25:19-26 — Birth of the twins Jacob and Esau
- Genesis 27:1-46 — Orchestrates Jacob's deception of Isaac
- Romans 9:10 — Paul cites Rebekah's twins to illustrate God's sovereign election
Further reading
Reflect
Rebekah watered ten camels for a stranger without being asked — when did you last go far beyond what was required?
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