Rahel, more commonly known as Rachel, is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Genesis. She is one of the matriarchs of Israel and is revered for her role in the lineage of the Israelites. Rachel is the daughter of Laban, the sister of Leah, and the beloved wife of Jacob. Her account is primarily found in Genesis chapters 29-35.

Family and Marriage to Jacob

Rachel first appears in Genesis 29 when Jacob arrives in Haran and meets her at a well. Captivated by her beauty, Jacob falls in love with Rachel and agrees to work for her father, Laban, for seven years to earn her hand in marriage. The Berean Standard Bible states, "Jacob loved Rachel and said, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel'" (Genesis 29:18).

However, Laban deceives Jacob by substituting Leah, Rachel's older sister, as the bride. Jacob confronts Laban, who justifies his actions by citing the custom of marrying off the older daughter first. Laban then offers Rachel to Jacob in exchange for another seven years of service. Jacob agrees, and Rachel becomes his second wife, as recorded in Genesis 29:28-30.

Rachel's Struggle with Barrenness

Rachel's life is marked by her struggle with barrenness, a significant theme in her narrative. While Leah bears several children, Rachel remains childless, leading to feelings of envy and desperation. In Genesis 30:1, Rachel expresses her distress to Jacob, saying, "Give me children, or I will die!" .

In her desperation, Rachel gives her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate, resulting in the birth of two sons, Dan and Naphtali. Eventually, God remembers Rachel and opens her womb, allowing her to conceive and give birth to Joseph, as noted in Genesis 30:22-24: "Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. 'God has taken away my disgrace,' she said. She named him Joseph" .

Rachel's Death and Legacy

Rachel's life comes to a tragic end during the birth of her second son, Benjamin. As they journey from Bethel, Rachel goes into labor and experiences great difficulty. In her final moments, she names her son Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," but Jacob renames him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand" (Genesis 35:18). Rachel dies and is buried on the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Jacob sets up a pillar on her grave, marking her resting place (Genesis 35:19-20).

Rachel's legacy endures through her sons, Joseph and Benjamin, who become two of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph, in particular, plays a crucial role in the history of Israel, rising to prominence in Egypt and ultimately saving his family from famine.

Rachel in Later Tradition

Rachel is remembered as a symbol of maternal sorrow and intercession. Her weeping for her children is poignantly referenced in Jeremiah 31:15 and later in the New Testament in Matthew 2:18, where her lamentation is echoed in the massacre of the innocents by King Herod.

Rachel's life and legacy continue to be a source of inspiration and reflection in Jewish and Christian traditions, embodying themes of love, perseverance, and faith in God's promises.RAHEL

ra'-hel (Jeremiah 31:15 the King James Version).

See RACHEL.

Rahel (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAHEL. ra'-hel (Jeremiah 31:15 the King James Version).
See RACHEL. Multi-Version Concordance Rahel (1 Occurrence). ...
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Raid (15 Occurrences)

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Raham (1 Occurrence)

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Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... ra'-chel (rachel, "ewe"; Rhachel (Genesis 29:6 Jeremiah 31:15, the King James Version
"Rahel")): 1. Biography: An ancestress of Israel, wife of Jacob, mother ...
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Refused (89 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 31:15 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 ...
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