רִבְקָה (riv.qah)
riv.qah
Rebekah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 29 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Ribqah, rendered in English as Rebekah, appears thirty times in the Hebrew Bible, almost exclusively within the Genesis narrative of the patriarchs. She is identified as the daughter of Bethuel and sister of Laban, becoming the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. The text introduces her first in Genesis 22:23 before detailing her pivotal role in Genesis 24.
Lexical sources suggest the name derives from an unused root meaning to clog or tie up, often associated with fettering or ensnaring. This etymology aligns with the traditional interpretation of Rebekah as an "ensnarer," a theme reflected in her character’s ability to influence the course of family history through decisive action.
Her story is central to the transition of the covenant promise, particularly in the account where she is chosen for Isaac (Genesis 24:15). The sources highlight her agency in key moments, such as when she reveals herself to the servant at the well and later facilitates the blessing of Jacob, underscoring her significant place in the biblical lineage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Rebekah carries a meaning often translated as "to tie" or "to bind." In the ancient context, this was not about restriction but about connection and covenant. Her story shows how ordinary moments—like drawing water at a well or answering a simple question—can become the threads that hold together the future of God’s people. It reminds us that our daily faithfulness matters deeply in the grand narrative.
Rebekah’s life was marked by decisive action and deep family ties. She left her home to join Isaac, showing courage in the face of the unknown. Later, she worked to ensure the family blessing continued through Jacob, navigating complex relationships with care. Her example invites us to trust that God is weaving our lives into a larger plan, even when the path seems unclear or difficult.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 29 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Rebekah22×
- and/ Rebekah3×
- to/ Rebekah2×
- and/ to/ Rebekah1×
- and/ [belonged] to/ Rebekah1×
- <to>/ Rebekah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִבְקָ֥ה4×
- רִבְקָה֙3×
- רִבְקָ֖ה3×
- רִבְקָ֔ה3×
- רִבְקָ֤ה2×
- רִבְקָ֣ה2×
- רִבְקָ֜ה1×
- רִבְקָ֛ה1×
- רִבְקָ֗ה1×
- רִבְקָ֑ה1×
- רִ֠בְקָה1×
- לְ/רִבְקָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 24:58
They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
This verse highlights Rebekah’s personal agency and consent, as she freely chooses to leave her family to fulfill her role in the covenant promise.
-
Genesis 24:67
Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
The text notes that Isaac loved Rebekah and was comforted after his mother’s death, showing how she brought healing and continuity to his life.
-
Genesis 25:21
Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
Here, Isaac prays specifically for his barren wife, demonstrating that their family line depended entirely on God’s intervention rather than human effort.
-
Genesis 24:60
They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your offspring possess the gate of those who hate them.”
The blessing given to Rebekah asks for her offspring to be numerous and victorious, linking her directly to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Rebekah mean?
Why is Rebekah important in the Bible?
How did Rebekah respond when asked to leave home?
Every Occurrence (29 verses across 1 books)
Genesis 29 verses
Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
Genesis 24:15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of…
Genesis 24:29Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
Genesis 24:30When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,…
Genesis 24:45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to…
Genesis 24:51Behold, Rebekah is before you. Take her, and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as Yahweh has spoken.”
Genesis 24:53The servant brought out jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave…
Genesis 24:58They called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.”
Genesis 24:59They sent away Rebekah, their sister, with her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men.
Genesis 24:60They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, “Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your…
Genesis 24:61Rebekah arose with her ladies. They rode on the camels, and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah, and went his…
Genesis 24:64Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel.
Genesis 24:67Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. He loved her. So Isaac was…
Genesis 25:20Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban…
Genesis 25:21Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife…
Genesis 25:28Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
Genesis 26:7The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “My wife”, lest,…
Genesis 26:8When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold,…
Genesis 26:35They grieved Isaac’s and Rebekah’s spirits.
Genesis 27:5Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
Genesis 27:6Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying,
Genesis 27:11Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
Genesis 27:15Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her…
Genesis 27:42The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him,…
Genesis 27:46Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters…
Genesis 28:5Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and…
Genesis 29:12Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
Genesis 35:8Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; and its name was called Allon Bacuth.
Genesis 49:31There they buried Abraham and Sarah, his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah, his wife, and there I buried Leah: