Bible Dictionary: Rachel

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Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Rachel

sheep

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Rachel

(ewe, or sheep), the younger of the daughters of Laban, the wife of Jacob (B.C. 1753) and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. The incidents of her life may be found in Genesis29-33, 35. The story of Jacob and Rachel has always had a peculiar interest. The beauty of Rachel, Jacob's deep love and long servitude for her, their marriage, and Rachel's death on giving birth to Benjamin, with Jacob's grief at her loss, (Genesis 48:7) makes a touching tale. Yet from what is related to us concerning her character there does not seem much to claim any high degree of admiration and esteem. She appears to have shared all the duplicity and falsehood of her family. See, for instance, Rachel's stealing her father's images, and the ready dexterity and presence of mind with which she concealed her theft. (Genesis 31:1) ... "Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. (B.C. 1729.) And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." (Genesis 35:19,20) The site of Rachel's tomb, "on the way to Bethlehem," "a little way to come to Ephrath," "in the border of Benjamin," never been questioned. It Is about two miles south of Jerusalem and one mile north of Bethlehem.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Rachel

Ewe or sheep, Ruth 4:11, the younger sister of Leah, daughter of Laban, and the chosen wife of Jacob, though her sister was favored with more children. Rachel was the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, and died soon after the birth of the latter. See her history in Genesis 29:1-35:29. Her sepulchre, half an hour's walk north of Bethlehem, is shown unto this day, the spot being marked by a Mohammedan wely or tomb, a stone enclosure and a dome. The prophecy, Jeremiah 31:15, representing her as mourning over her posterity, the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin, is quoted in Matthew 2:18, in reference to the massacre at Bethlehem, in which undoubtedly many of her descendants suffered. It is supposed that one of the many places called Ramah was adjacent to Bethlehem.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ewe, "the daughter", "the somewhat petulant, peevish, and self-willed though beautiful younger daughter" of Laban, and one of Jacob's wives (Genesis 29:6, 28). He served Laban fourteen years for her, so deep was Jacob's affection for her. She was the mother of Joseph (Genesis 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 (Matthew 2:17, 18).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

RACHEL

ra'-chel (rachel, "ewe"; Rhachel (Genesis 29:6 Jeremiah 31:15, the King James Version "Rahel")):

1. Biography:

An ancestress of Israel, wife of Jacob, mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban, the Aramean, the brother of Jacob's mother; so Rachel and Jacob were cousins. They met for the first time upon the arrival of Jacob at Haran, when attracted by her beauty he immediately fell in love with her, winning her love by his chivalrous act related in Genesis 29:10;. According to the custom of the times Jacob contracted with Laban for her possession, agreeing to serve him 7 years as the stipulated price (29:17-20). But when the time had passed, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel. When Jacob protested, Laban gave him Rachel also, on condition that Jacob serve 7 years more (29:21-29). To her great dismay "Rachel was barren" (Genesis 29:30, 31), while Leah had children. Rachel, envious of her sister, complained to Jacob, who reminded her that children are the gift of God. Then Rachel resorted to the expedient once employed by Sarah under similar circumstances (16:2;); she bade Jacob take her handmaid Bilhah, as a concubine, to "obtain children by her" (30:3). Dan and Naphtali were the offspring of this union. The evil of polygamy is apparent from the dismal rivalry arising between the two sisters, each seeking by means of children to win the heart of Jacob. In her eagerness to become a mother of children, Rachel bargained with Leah for the mandrakes, or love-apples of her son Reuben, but all to no avail (Genesis 30:14). Finally God heard her prayer and granted her her heart's desire, and she gave birth to her firstborn whom she named Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24).

Some years after this, when Jacob fled from Laban with his wives, the episode of theft of the teraphim of Laban by Rachel, related in Genesis 31:19, 34, 35, occurred. She hoped by securing the household gods of her father to bring prosperity to her own new household. Though she succeeded by her cunning in concealing them from Laban, Jacob later, upon discovering them, had them put away (35:2-4). In spite of all, she continued to be the favorite of Jacob, as is clearly evidenced by 33:2, where we are told that he assigned to her the place of greatest safety, and by his preference for Joseph, her son. After the arrival in Canaan, while they were on the way from Beth-el to Ephrath, i.e. Bethlehem, Rachel gave birth to her second son, Benjamin, and died (35:16;).

2. Character:

In a marked manner Rachel's character shows the traits of her family, cunning and covetousness, so evident in Laban, Rebekah and Jacob. Though a believer in the true God (Genesis 30:6, 8, 22), she was yet given to the superstitions of her country, the worshipping of the teraphim, etc. (Genesis 31:19). The futility of her efforts in resorting to self-help and superstitious expedients, the love and stronger faith of her husband (Genesis 35:2-4), were the providential means of purifying her character. Her memory lived on in Israel long after she died. In Ruth 4:11, the names of Rachel and Leah occur in the nuptial benediction as the foundresses of the house of Israel.

Greek

4478. Rhachel -- Rachel, the wife of Jacob
... Rachel, the wife of Jacob. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Rhachel Phonetic Spelling: (hrakh-ale') Short Definition: Rachel Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4478.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7354. Rachel -- a wife of Jacob
... 7353, 7354. Rachel. 7355 . a wife of Jacob. Transliteration: Rachel Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-khale') Short Definition: Rachel. Word ...
/hebrew/7354.htm - 6k

7353. rachel -- ewe
... 7352, 7353. rachel. 7354 . ewe. Transliteration: rachel Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-kale') Short Definition: ewes. ... 7352, 7353. rachel. 7354 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7353.htm - 5k

1126. Ben-oni -- "son of my sorrow," Rachel's name for Benjamin
... 1125, 1126. Ben-oni. 1127 . "son of my sorrow," Rachel's name for Benjamin.
Transliteration: Ben-oni Phonetic Spelling: (ben-o-nee') Short Definition: Ben- ...
/hebrew/1126.htm - 6k

6307. Paddan -- the place where Rachel died
... Paddan or Paddan Aram. 6308 . the place where Rachel died. Transliteration: Paddan
or Paddan Aram Phonetic Spelling: (pad-dawn') Short Definition: Paddan-aram ...
/hebrew/6307.htm - 6k

Library

Rachel's Refuge
... CHAPTER XXXII RACHEL'S REFUGE. Rachel stood by the parapet on the top of the Memphian
house of Har-hat. About her were no evidences of her former serfdom. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxii rachels refuge.htm

Laban had Two Daughters, Leah and Rachel; but Leah had Tender Eyes ...
... The Sacred History Of Sulpitius Severus. Book I. Chapter IX. Laban had
two daughters, Leah and Rachel; but Leah had tender eyes� ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter ix laban had two.htm

The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Rachel.
... THE VISION The Reason of the Order of the Sons of Rachel. Observe that
among the posterity of Rachel, two of them paired together ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/the reason of the order 2.htm

The Deceiver Deceived
... the son of Nahor?" And they said, "We know him." And he said to them, "Is all well
with him?" And they said, "All is well; indeed, this is Rachel his daughter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the deceiver deceived.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... Rachel was a quarry-slave, a member of the lowest rank in the Egyptian scale of
classes. ... Rachel had given him no sign of preference beyond a pretty fellowship. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xv the gods of.htm

A Confirmation of what Has Been Said by a Noteworthy Comparison.
... CHAPTER IX. A CONFIRMATION OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID BY A NOTEWORTHY COMPARISON.
You know, Theotimus, what was Jacob's love for his Rachel. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix a confirmation of.htm

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... [124] For Reuben [125] brought in mandrakes from the field, and Rachel
met him and took them. And ... youth. But Rachel said, How so? ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

The Angel of Death
... CHAPTER XLI THE ANGEL OF DEATH. Kenkenes had spent two weeks in Goshen in systematic
search for Rachel. The labor had been time-consuming and fruitless. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xli the angel of.htm

Chapter sixteen
... She was talking it over with Rachel the day after the funeral. ... "How much money
have you, Virginia, to give in this way?" asked Rachel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter sixteen.htm

Chapter six
... When Rachel Winslow and Virginia Page separated after the meeting at the First Church
on Sunday they agreed to continue their conversation the next day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter six.htm

Thesaurus

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... 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. ...RACHEL. ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

Rachel's (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RACHEL'S TOMB. ... It is doubtful, but probable,
that it marks the exact spot where Rachel was buried. ...
/r/rachel's.htm - 11k

Leah (30 Occurrences)
... Weary, the eldest daughter of Laban, and sister of Rachel (Genesis 29:16). ... Up to
this time Rachel had not been blessed with children of her own. ...
/l/leah.htm - 19k

Bilhah (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Faltering; bashful, Rachel's handmaid, whom she
gave to Jacob (Genesis 29:29). She was the mother of Dan ...
/b/bilhah.htm - 11k

Raddai (1 Occurrence)
... It is doubtful, but probable, that it marks the exact spot where Rachel was buried.
There are, apparently, two traditions as to the location of the place. ...
/r/raddai.htm - 10k

Ephrath (9 Occurrences)
... It is held by many authorities that the Ephrath where Rachel was buried (Genesis
35:16; Genesis 48:7) was a different place, the words "the same is Bethlehem ...
/e/ephrath.htm - 10k

I'll (31 Occurrences)
... NIV). Genesis 29:18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven
years for Rachel, your younger daughter." (See NIV). Genesis ...
/i/i'll.htm - 15k

Tribe (250 Occurrences)
... 1. Name: The fifth of Jacob's sons, the first borne to him by Bilhah, the maid of
Rachel, to whom, as the child of her slave, he legally belonged. ...
/t/tribe.htm - 45k

Tomb (70 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RACHEL'S TOMB. ... It is doubtful, but probable,
that it marks the exact spot where Rachel was buried. ...
/t/tomb.htm - 31k

Loveth (88 Occurrences)
... WBS). Genesis 29:18 And Jacob loveth Rachel, and saith, 'I serve thee seven
years for Rachel thy younger daughter:' (YLT). Genesis ...
/l/loveth.htm - 30k

Bible Concordance

Rachel (42 Occurrences)

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."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:6 He said to them, "Is it well with him?" They said, "It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:9 While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:10 It happened, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:25 It happened in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Didn't I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:29 Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her handmaid.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 29:31 Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I will die."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:2 Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, "Am I in God's place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Genesis 30:6 Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son." Therefore called she his name Dan.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed." She named him Naphtali.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:15 She said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes, also?" Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:22 God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her, and opened her womb.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 30:25 It happened, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:14 Rachel and Leah answered him, "Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father's.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:32 Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it." For Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel's saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt about all the tent, but didn't find them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:1 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two handmaids.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:2 He put the handmaids and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 33:7 Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:16 They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:19 Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem).
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:20 Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. The same is the Pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 46:19 The sons of Rachel, Jacob's wife: Joseph and Benjamin.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 46:22 These are the sons of Rachel, who were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 46:25 These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were seven.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 48:7 As for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when there was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem)."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

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.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 10:2 When you have departed from me today, then you shall find two men by Rachel's tomb, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will tell you,'The donkeys which you went to seek have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do for my son?"'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

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.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Rachel

Rachel: Her Death and Burial

Rachel: Her Grief in Consequence of Her Sterility

Rachel: Jacob Serves Laban for an Additional Seven Years to Obtain Her As his Wife

Rachel: Later Productiveness of; Becomes the Mother of Benjamin

Rachel: Later Productiveness of; Becomes the Mother of Joseph

Rachel: Meets Jacob at a Well

Rachel: Steals the Household Images (Teraphim, Legal Deed) of Her Father

Rachel: Sterility of

Related Terms

Rachel's (5 Occurrences)