Rebekah
The Chosen BrideWife of Isaac, mother of Esau and Jacob, whose initiative shaped Israel's destiny through the blessing of Jacob
Rebekah was divinely chosen as Isaac's wife through Abraham's servant's prayer - the first answered prayer in Scripture requesting a specific sign. Her hospitality and willingness to leave her family demonstrated faith. After 20 years of barrenness, her prayers brought twins who 'struggled within her,' and God revealed 'the older will serve the younger.' When Isaac prepared to bless Esau, Rebekah orchestrated Jacob's deception, fulfilling the prophecy but using sinful means. She never saw Jacob again after sending him to Laban. Rebekah represents the complexity of faith - genuinely believing God's promise while taking matters into her own hands. She is buried with Isaac in the Cave of Machpelah.
Original Name
רִבְקָה (Rivqah)
Meaning
To bind, Captivating, Ensnarer
Etymology
Rebekah's name (Rivqah) may come from a root meaning 'to bind' or 'to tie,' possibly referring to her captivating beauty or, prophetically, to the 'binding' complexities of her family. Some connect it to a young animal fattened for a stall.
Linguistic Insights
Rebekah's name (Rivqah) has been variously interpreted - 'captivating beauty,' 'one who ensnares,' or from a root meaning 'to fatten/nourish' (a fattened calf). Her decisive 'I will go' (elekh) mirrors Abraham's departure from his family. The servant's prayer for a 'sign' (ot) receives abundant confirmation - not only does she offer water, but waters ten camels (gallons of water). The prophecy 'two nations (goyim) are in your womb' uses language of peoples/nations, indicating the stakes extend beyond two sons. When she helped Jacob deceive Isaac, she said 'let your curse be on me' (alai qillatekha) - taking the curse upon herself, a type of substitutionary bearing of consequence.
Translation Notes
- •Rivqah = possibly 'captivating' or 'to bind'
- •First prayer for a sign in Scripture
- •'I will go' - decisive faith response
- •'Two nations' - Esau/Edom and Jacob/Israel
Related Terms
Met Abraham's servant at the well
Genesis 24:15-21Showed hospitality, watered camels
Genesis 24:18-20Agreed to marry Isaac
Genesis 24:57-58Married Isaac
Genesis 24:67Barren for 20 years; Isaac prayed for her
Genesis 25:21Received prophecy about twins
Genesis 25:22-23Gave birth to Esau and Jacob
Genesis 25:24-26Favored Jacob over Esau
Genesis 25:28Orchestrated Jacob's deception of Isaac
Genesis 27:5-17Sent Jacob to Laban for safety
Genesis 27:42-46Buried in Cave of Machpelah
Genesis 49:31Genesis 24:58
"So they called Rebekah and asked her, 'Will you go with this man?' 'I will go,' she said."
Genesis 25:23
"The LORD said to her, 'Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.'"
Romans 9:10
"Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac."
Romans 9:12
"She was told, 'The older will serve the younger.'"