Rebekah(rebecca)
“A noosed cord; ensnaring”
Summary
Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob, who played a decisive role in securing the covenant blessing for her younger son.
☩Marriage to Isaac
Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel and sister of Laban, living in Mesopotamia. The beautiful story of how she became Isaac's wife is told in Genesis 24, where Abraham's servant was guided by God to find her at a well. Her beauty, courtesy, willingness, and modesty made her an ideal match. She showed hospitality by offering water not only to the servant but also to his camels, demonstrating her generous character. The marriage was a model of divine guidance: God's direction was sought and given, the parents sanctioned it, and Rebekah willingly consented.
☩Mother of Esau and Jacob
Rebekah was barren for nineteen years until Isaac prayed for her and she conceived twins. During her difficult pregnancy, God revealed to her that two nations were in her womb and that "the elder shall serve the younger." This prophecy, given before either child had done good or evil, illustrates God's sovereign election. When the twins were born, Esau emerged first, followed by Jacob grasping his brother's heel. Rebekah favored Jacob because of his gentle, domestic character, while Isaac preferred Esau the hunter.
☩The Deception and Its Consequences
When Isaac was old and blind, Rebekah orchestrated a scheme by which Jacob, disguised as Esau, obtained his father's blessing. Though she believed in God's promise concerning Jacob, she resorted to deceit rather than trusting God to fulfill His word. This sin brought lasting consequences: Esau plotted to kill Jacob, forcing Rebekah to send her beloved son away to her brother Laban. She apparently never saw Jacob again, for she was buried in the cave of Machpelah before his return. Her story warns against doing evil that good might come, even when faith in God's promises is genuine.
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rebekah," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.Don Fleming, "Rebekah," in Bridgeway Bible Dictionary (Bridgeway Publications, 1990).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rebekah," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.American Tract Society, "Rebekah," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).
- 5.Edwin W. Rice, "Rebekah," in The People's Dictionary of the Bible (American Sunday-School Union, 1893).
- 6.John Kitto, "Rebekah," in A Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, vol. II (Mark H. Newman, 1845).