Rebekah
the one with the water jar
Who was Rebekah?
- At a well, she gave Abraham’s servant a drink and drew water for his camels. Genesis 24:17-20
- She agreed to leave her family to marry Isaac. Genesis 24:58, 67
- She was the mother of the twins Esau and Jacob. Genesis 25:24-26
- From
- From the city of Nahor, in Mesopotamia. Her family lived in Haran Genesis 24:10; Genesis 27:43
- Feast day
- December 24: Commemoration of all the holy ancestors of Jesus Christ
What the Bible says
Genesis 24:17-20
17And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Give me a little water to drink of thy pitcher. 18And she answered: Drink, my lord. And quickly she let down the pitcher upon her arm, and gave him drink. 19And when he had drunk, she said: I will draw water for thy camels also, till they all drink. 20And pouring out the pitcher into the troughs, she ran back to the well to draw water: and having drawn she gave to all the camels.
Genesis 24:58, 67
58And they called her, and when she was come, they asked: Wilt thou go with this man? She said: I will go. 67Who brought her into the tent of Sara his mother, and took her to wife: and he loved her so much, that it moderated the sorrow which was occasioned by his mother’s death.
Genesis 25:24-26
24And when her time was come to be delivered, behold twins were found in her womb. 25He that came forth first was red, and hairy like a skin: and his name was called Esau. Immediately the other coming forth, held his brother’s foot in his hand, and therefore he was called Jacob. 26Isaac was threescore years old when the children were born unto him.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The path of Rebekah
- Before Jesus. She was the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. Her brother was named Laban. Genesis 22:23; Genesis 24:15, 29
- Before Jesus. She went out to the well with her jar on her shoulder. She gave Abraham’s servant a drink and drew water for his camels. Genesis 24:15-20
- Before Jesus. Her family asked her if she wanted to go with the servant, and she answered that she would go. Genesis 24:57-58
- With Jesus. When she saw Isaac in the field, she got down from the camel and covered herself with her veil. Genesis 24:64-65
- With Jesus. She could not have children. Isaac prayed for her, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. Genesis 25:21, 24
- With Jesus. The children jostled each other inside her, and she went to consult the Lord. The Lord told her that the older would serve the younger. Genesis 25:22-23
- With Jesus. When Isaac wanted to bless Esau, Rebekah arranged everything so that Jacob could pass himself off as Esau. Genesis 27:5-17
- Afterward. She sent Jacob to her brother Laban, because Esau was threatening to kill Jacob. The Bible does not tell us whether she saw him again. Genesis 27:42-45
Words of Rebekah
“Drink, my lord.” Genesis 24:18
Beside the well, when Abraham’s servant asked her for a little water.
“I will draw water for thy camels also, till they all drink.” Genesis 24:19
When the servant had finished drinking.
“I will go.” Genesis 24:58
When her family asked her if she wanted to go with Abraham’s servant.
“If it were to be so with me, what need was there to conceive?” Genesis 25:22
When she felt the twins jostling inside her. Then she went to consult the Lord.
“Why shall I be deprived of both my sons in one day?” Genesis 27:45
When she sent Jacob far away, because Esau was threatening to kill Jacob.
What they were like
- She was quick and helpful: she gave the servant a drink, and ran to draw water for all his camels. Genesis 24:18-20
- She was very beautiful, the text says. That is why Isaac was afraid in Gerar. Genesis 24:16; Genesis 26:7
- When she felt the twins jostling inside her, she went to consult the Lord. Genesis 25:22
The greatest thing they did
- She agreed to leave her land and her family to marry Isaac. Genesis 24:58, 61
- She was the mother of Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Genesis 25:26; Genesis 49:28
Not to be confused with
- Both appear beside a well. Rebekah was Isaac’s wife and Jacob’s mother. Rachel was Jacob’s wife and the daughter of Laban, Rebekah’s brother. Genesis 24:15-20; Genesis 29:9-12
In the Church today
Feast day: December 24, Commemoration of all the holy ancestors of Jesus Christ (commemoration). Roman Martyrology, December 24
In art, recognized by: With a jar on her shoulder, beside the well From Gn 24, 15-20; this is how Christian art shows her
What people ask
How did Abraham’s servant choose Rebekah?
He asked God for a sign: that the young woman would give a drink to him and to his camels. Rebekah did just that. Genesis 24:12-20
Did Rebekah agree to marry Isaac?
Yes. Her family asked her if she wanted to go with the servant, and she answered that she would go. Genesis 24:57-58
Why did Rebekah favor Jacob?
The Bible does not give the reason. It only says that Isaac favored Esau, and Rebekah favored Jacob. Genesis 25:28
Did Rebekah ever see Jacob again?
The Bible does not tell us. Rebekah promised to send for Jacob, but the text does not say that she did. Genesis 27:45
Where is Rebekah buried?
In the cave of Machpelah, beside Isaac. Abraham and Sarah are there too. Genesis 49:31
Daily life As evening fell, the women went out to draw water from the well. That is how Abraham’s servant found her. Genesis 24:11, 15 She had a nurse, Deborah,…
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