Bible Dictionaries
Rebekah

Holman Bible Dictionary

(reh behk' uh) Personal name perhaps meaning, “cow.” Daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew (Genesis 24:15 ); Isaac's wife (Genesis 24:67 ); mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:25-26 ). Rebekah was a complex character. She is introduced as a beautiful virgin (Genesis 24:16 ), willing servant (Genesis 24:19 ), and as hospitable to strangers (Genesis 24:25 ). In obedience to God's will, she left her home in Paddan-aram to be Isaac's wife (Genesis 24:58 ). Rebekah comforted Isaac after the death of Sarah (Genesis 24:67 ). When distressed by her problem pregnancy, she turned to God for counsel (Genesis 25:22-23 ). Less favorable is Rebekah's favoritism towards Jacob (Genesis 25:28 ), especially as evidenced in the plan she concocted to enable Jacob to steal Esau's blessing (Genesis 27:5-17 ). Rebekah was forced to send her favorite to her brother's household to save Jacob from Esau's vengeance (Genesis 27:42-46 ).