Person

Rachel

also RahelFemaleb. 1755 BCd. 1739 BC

Ewe, “the daughter”, “the somewhat petulant, peevish, and self-willed though beautiful younger daughter” of Laban, and one of Jacob’s wives (Gen. 29:6, 28). He served Laban fourteen years for her, so deep was Jacob’s affection for her. She was the mother of Joseph (Gen. 30:22-24). Afterwards, on Jacob’s departure from Mesopotamia, she took with her her father’s teraphim (31:34, 35). As they journeyed on from Bethel, Rachel died in giving birth to Benjamin (35:18, 19), and was buried “in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave”. Her sepulchre is still regarded with great veneration by the Jews. Its traditional site is about half a mile from Jerusalem. This name is used poetically by Jeremiah (31:15-17) to denote God’s people mourning under their calamities. This passage is also quoted by Matthew as fulfilled in the lamentation at Bethlehem on account of the slaughter of the infants there at the command of Herod (Matt. 2:17, 18).

Relationships

Children Benjamin (patriarch), Joseph (son of Jacob)

Partners Jacob (Israel)

Parents Laban

Siblings Leah

Place of death Ephrath

Events Birth of Joseph, Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin

Appears in Genesis

Key verses

Jeremiah 31:15

Thus says Yahweh: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.

Matthew 2:18

“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”

Genesis 29:31

Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Genesis 30:22

God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her, and opened her womb.

Ruth 4:11

All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem.

Genesis 31:19

Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.