Patriarchs · around 1900 BC
Rebekah in the Bible
The young woman who said, “I will go”. Name meaning: The Bible gives no meaning for it; Paul spells it “Rebecca” (Rom 9:10)
A granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, Rebekah is the young woman who gives Abraham’s servant a drink, and then his ten camels: the very sign he had asked God for (Gen 24:14, 19-20). When her family consults her, she answers, “I will go” (Gen 24:58), and becomes the wife of Isaac, who loves her. Barren, she does not become the mother of the twins Esau and Jacob until twenty years after her wedding; she favors Jacob and plans the trick by which he receives Isaac’s blessing (Gen 25:20-28; 27).
Key moments
- She draws water for the servant’s camels Genesis 24:19–20
- Consulted, she answers, “I will go” Genesis 24:58
- Isaac loves her and is comforted Genesis 24:67
- The LORD tells her: two nations are in her womb Genesis 25:23
- The twins Esau and Jacob are born Genesis 25:24–26
- She prepares the trick to win the blessing Genesis 27:15–17
- She sends Jacob to Laban, in Haran Genesis 27:43
- She is buried at Machpelah, beside Isaac Genesis 49:31
Strengths
- Hospitality
- Eagerness
- Determination
- Favoritism toward Jacob
Weaknesses
Rebekah prefers Jacob to Esau (Gen 25:28) and engineers the trick that deceives the blind Isaac, dressing Jacob in Esau’s clothes (Gen 27:5-17). Yet she had received the LORD’s word about her two sons (Gen 25:23); the deception sows hatred and forces Jacob to flee (Gen 27:41-45). The text records no reunion between her and her son.
Lessons for today
- Serve with eagerness: Rebekah draws water for all the camels, going beyond what she was asked, and it is the very sign the servant was waiting for from God (Gen 24:14, 19-20).
- Answer God’s call personally: consulted, Rebekah says, “I will go” (Gen 24:57-58).
- Wait in prayer: Isaac pleads with the LORD for his barren wife, and she becomes a mother twenty years after their wedding (Gen 25:20-26).
- Human schemes do not help God’s promises along: the oracle of Genesis 25:23 will come to pass, but the deception of Genesis 27 costs the family its peace (Gen 27:41-45).
And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
People around Rebekah
- Isaac — Husband, who loves her and is comforted after his mother’s death
- Jacob — The son she loves and helps to receive the blessing
- Esau — Firstborn son, Jacob’s twin brother
- Laban — Rebekah’s brother, to whom Jacob is sent
- Abraham — Father-in-law, brother of her grandfather Nahor
- Deborah — Her nurse, who died and was buried under the oak of weeping (Gen 35:8)
Stories with Rebekah
Quiz: how well do you know Rebekah?
Whom did Abraham send to find a wife for Isaac?
Abraham told “his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had,” to go and take a wife for Isaac from his own country and his own kindred. Genesis 24:2–4
What did Rebekah do to answer the sign the servant had asked for?
She said, “I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.” This was the sign the servant had asked of the LORD (Gen 24:14). Genesis 24:19–20
What was the name of Rebekah’s brother?
“Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban.” Bethuel is her father, and Nahor her grandfather. Genesis 24:29
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.