Rebecca
Wife of Isaac
Rebekah was chosen to marry Isaac through her generosity toward Abraham's servant at the well. She became the mother of twins Jacob and Esau. She favored Jacob and helped him receive Isaac's blessing.
Character Traits
Life Timeline
Abraham's servant arrives at Nahor seeking a wife for Isaac. He prays for a sign: the right woman will offer water to him and his camels. Rebekah appears, beautiful and virtuous, and fulfills the sign exactly by watering all ten camels.
GEN 24:10-20The servant explains his mission and reveals God's guidance. Rebekah's family recognizes this is from the Lord. When asked whether she will go with the servant, Rebekah boldly answers: 'I will go.' She leaves her homeland to marry a man she has never met.
GEN 24:50-61Isaac is meditating in the field at evening when the caravan arrives. Rebekah sees him, dismounts, and covers herself with a veil. Isaac brings her into his mother Sarah's tent, marries her, and is comforted after his mother's death. He loves her.
GEN 24:62-67Rebekah is barren for twenty years. Isaac prays to the Lord on her behalf. God answers, and Rebekah conceives. The twins struggle within her, and she inquires of the Lord about their conflict.
GEN 25:20-22God reveals that two nations are in her womb and the older will serve the younger. Esau is born first, red and hairy; Jacob follows, grasping Esau's heel. This prophetic word will shape Rebekah's future actions.
GEN 25:23-26As the boys grow, Isaac favors Esau the hunter while Rebekah loves Jacob. This parental favoritism divides the family. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for stew, despising his inheritance.
GEN 25:27-34When blind Isaac prepares to bless Esau, Rebekah overhears and devises a plan for Jacob to steal the blessing. She prepares food and covers Jacob with goatskins. Her plan succeeds, but at great cost: Jacob must flee Esau's murderous rage.
GEN 27:1-45Rebekah urges Isaac to send Jacob to her brother Laban to find a wife, using the pretext of avoiding Canaanite wives like Esau's. Jacob departs for Haran. Rebekah apparently never sees her beloved son again.
GEN 27:42-28:5Rebekah's death is not recorded, but she is buried in the cave of Machpelah with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Leah. Her nurse Deborah's death is mentioned when Jacob returns, suggesting Rebekah had already died.
GEN 49:31Key Relationships
Husband - Isaac loved Rebekah and she comforted him after Sarah's death. Their marriage, arranged by Abraham's servant, was marked by love but also divided loyalties over their sons.
Son - Rebekah favored Jacob over Esau. She engineered his receiving of Isaac's blessing through deception, believing she was fulfilling God's prophecy. Her scheme succeeded but cost her relationship with Jacob.
Son - Esau was Isaac's favorite but not Rebekah's. She helped Jacob steal Esau's blessing and sent Jacob away to escape Esau's wrath. The family was fractured by favoritism and deception.
Spiritual Lessons
Character Reveals Itself in Small Acts
Rebekah's willingness to water ten camels, a massive voluntary task, revealed her generous heart before she knew what was at stake. How we treat strangers and handle small duties reveals our true character.
God's Purposes Don't Need Human Manipulation
God had promised that the older would serve the younger. Rebekah's deception was unnecessary; God would have fulfilled His word. When we manipulate to achieve God's purposes, we often create damage God never intended.
Favoritism Destroys Families
Isaac favored Esau; Rebekah favored Jacob. This division created a household of deception, hatred, and exile. Parents who play favorites sow seeds of family destruction that last for generations.