Rebecca, also spelled Rebekah, is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her role as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where she is depicted as a woman of beauty, faith, and decisive action.

Family Background and Early Life

Rebecca was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham's brother, making her a grand-niece of Abraham. She was born in Paddan-aram, a region in Mesopotamia, and was part of a family that maintained connections with Abraham's lineage. Her brother was Laban, who later plays a significant role in the life of Jacob.

Marriage to Isaac

Rebecca's marriage to Isaac is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, orchestrated by divine providence. Abraham, seeking a suitable wife for his son Isaac, sent his servant to his homeland to find a wife from his own kin. The servant prayed for guidance, asking for a sign to identify the right woman. Rebecca's actions at the well, where she offered water to the servant and his camels, fulfilled the servant's prayer (Genesis 24:12-21). Recognizing the divine hand in these events, the servant presented gifts to Rebecca and sought her family's consent for the marriage.

Rebecca's family agreed, and she willingly chose to leave her home to marry Isaac, demonstrating her faith and courage. Upon meeting Isaac, she became his wife, and he loved her deeply, finding comfort after the death of his mother, Sarah (Genesis 24:67).

Motherhood and Prophecy

Rebecca's journey into motherhood was marked by divine intervention. For many years, she was barren, but Isaac prayed to the LORD on her behalf, and she conceived twins (Genesis 25:21). During her pregnancy, Rebecca experienced a struggle within her womb and sought the LORD's guidance. The LORD revealed to her that two nations were in her womb and that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). This prophecy set the stage for the future dynamics between her sons, Esau and Jacob.

Favoritism and Deception

Rebecca is often remembered for her role in the blessing of Jacob. She favored Jacob, the younger son, while Isaac favored Esau. When Isaac, in his old age, intended to bless Esau, Rebecca devised a plan to secure the blessing for Jacob, in accordance with the divine prophecy she had received. She instructed Jacob to disguise himself as Esau and prepared a meal for Isaac, enabling Jacob to receive the blessing meant for the firstborn (Genesis 27:5-17).

Rebecca's actions, while controversial, were driven by her understanding of God's will and the prophecy concerning her sons. Her intervention ensured that Jacob, later named Israel, would carry on the covenantal promises given to Abraham and Isaac.

Legacy

Rebecca's legacy is multifaceted. She is remembered as a matriarch of Israel, a woman of faith who played a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan for His chosen people. Her life exemplifies the complexities of human relationships and the sovereignty of God in guiding the course of history. Her account continues to be a source of reflection on themes of faith, family, and divine providence.

The Testament of Naphtali Concerning Natural Goodness.
... Now my mother was Bilhah, daughter of Rotheus the brother of Deborah, Rebecca's
nurse, and she was born on one and the self-same day with Rachel. ...
/.../viii the testament of naphtali concerning.htm

Of the Manifold Abuse of Speech.
... chastity. Isaac the heir of his blessing, was son of his infirmity also,
and acted over the same scene upon Rebecca's account. Jacob ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section ii of the manifold.htm

Of the Prodigal Son.
... with the elder, and the Jew with the younger son, "according to the analogy of faith,"
[796] if the order of each people as intimated from Rebecca's womb [797 ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter viii of the prodigal son.htm

Predestination and the Justice of God
... Now when the apostle said this, he was commending grace, of which he had just spoken
in connection with the twin children in Rebecca's womb: "Before they had ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxv predestination and the.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... depicted with a painter's art, [54]194; centre in long-suffering, [55]195; the
qualities of love, [56]195; examples of in our Lord, Jonathan, Rebecca, [57]196 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Tadze.
... Let us therefore here recognize the two nations, who were striving even in Rebecca's
womb; when it was said to her, not from works, but of Him that calleth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/tadze.htm

How Divine Love Makes Use of all the Passions and Affections of ...
... Divine love and self-love are in our hearts as Jacob and Esau in the womb of Rebecca:
they have a very great antipathy and opposition to one another, and ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xx how divine love.htm

Now, Rebecca, Having Long Been Barren, at Length, through the ...
... Book I. Chapter VIII. Now, Rebecca, having long been barren, at length,
through the unceasing prayers of her husband? Now, Rebecca ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter viii now rebecca having.htm

1 Cor. xiii. 4
... So also Rebecca aforetime, because she exceedingly clung to her son, both perpetrated
a theft, and was not ashamed of detection, neither was she afraid, though ...
/.../homily xxxiii 1 cor xiii.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... Naphtali"Concerning Natural Goodness. He was the son of Bilhah, daughter
of Rutheus, brother of Deborah, Rebecca's nurse. Rutheus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Rebecca's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rebecca's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 29:12 And
Jacob told Rachel that he was a brother of her father, and ...
/r/rebecca's.htm - 6k

Rebecca (28 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rebecca (28 Occurrences). Romans 9:10 Not only
so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. ...
/r/rebecca.htm - 14k

Allon-bachuth (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 35:8 And Deborah, Rebecca's nurse, died; and she was buried beneath Bethel,
under the oak; and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth. (DBY WBS). ...
/a/allon-bachuth.htm - 7k

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)
... REBEKAH. re-bek'-a (ribhqah; Septuagint and New Testament Rhebekka, whence the usual
English spelling Rebecca): Daughter of Bethuel and an unknown mother, grand ...
/r/rebekah.htm - 21k

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