Patriarchs · around 1900 BC
Rachel in the Bible
Jacob’s beloved wife. Name meaning: “Ewe” (the meaning of the Hebrew name); fittingly, it is a shepherdess whom Jacob meets at the well (Genesis 29:9)
The younger daughter of Laban, Rachel is the shepherdess Jacob meets at the well near Haran and for whom he serves seven years, and then seven more. Barren for a long time and jealous of her sister Leah, she finally becomes the mother of Joseph, then dies giving birth to Benjamin on the road to Bethlehem. Jeremiah shows her weeping for her children, words that Matthew sees fulfilled in the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem (Jer 31:15; Matt 2:18).
Key moments
- Jacob meets her at the well Genesis 29:10
- Jacob serves seven years for her Genesis 29:20
- “Give me children, or else I die!” Genesis 30:1
- God remembers her: the birth of Joseph Genesis 30:22
- She hides Laban’s household idols Genesis 31:34
- She dies giving birth to Benjamin Genesis 35:18
- “Rachel weeping for her children” Jeremiah 31:15
Strengths
- Beauty
- Passion
- Tenacity
- Maternal love
Weaknesses
Rachel lets herself be consumed by envy of her sister and blames Jacob for her barrenness (Gen 30:1-2). She steals her father’s household idols and deceives him to keep them (Gen 31:19, 34-35).
Lessons for today
- Envy poisons relationships: the rivalry between Rachel and Leah marks Jacob’s entire family (Gen 30:1, 15).
- Children are a gift from God, not the fruit of our schemes: “God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her” (Gen 30:22).
- You cannot walk with God while hiding idols: before Bethel, Jacob’s household has to put away its foreign gods (Gen 31:34; 35:2-4).
- God hears the tears of grieving mothers and promises comfort: “thy children shall come again to their own border” (Jer 31:15-17).
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
People around Rachel
Stories with Rachel
Quiz: how well do you know Rachel?
What was Rachel doing when Jacob first met her?
“Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.” Jacob then rolled the stone from the well to water that flock. Genesis 29:9–10
How many years did Jacob offer to serve Laban to win Rachel?
Jacob said, “I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.” Deceived by Laban, he then had to serve seven more years. Genesis 29:18
What was the name of the first son Rachel bore herself?
God opened her womb: she bore a son and called his name Joseph. Dan and Naphtali were born to her maid Bilhah. Genesis 30:22–24
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.