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    Who Was Rebekah in the Bible?

    Who Was Rebekah in the Bible? Rebekah was the wife of Isaac, the mother of Esau and Jacob, and the answer to Abraham's servant's prayer for a bride for Isaac.

    Key verse: Genesis 24:19-20 (KJV)

    Rebekah was the wife of Isaac, the mother of Esau and Jacob, and the answer to Abraham's servant's prayer for a bride for Isaac.

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    Quick Answer

    Rebekah was the wife of Isaac, the mother of Esau and Jacob, and the answer to Abraham's servant's prayer for a bride for Isaac.

    "And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels." — Genesis 24:19-20 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, living in Mesopotamia. When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, the servant prayed that the chosen woman would offer to water his camels. Rebekah came to the well, drew water for him, and voluntarily watered all ten camels — a test of character and hospitality. She agreed to return with the servant and became Isaac's wife, whom he loved and who comforted him after Sarah's death. But Rebekah was also a schemer. She favoured Jacob over Esau and orchestrated the deception by which Jacob received Isaac's blessing. When Esau threatened to kill Jacob, she sent Jacob away to her brother Laban. She never saw him again. Rebekah's story shows both faith — her willingness to leave home for God's promise — and the destructive power of favouritism and manipulation within a family.

    Key Scripture References

    "And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels."
    "And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go."
    "And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

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    Deep Dive Commentary

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Genesis. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Genesis on day 11 of the chronological Bible reading plan

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    Every verse quoted in “Who Was Rebekah in the Bible?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, living in Mesopotamia. When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, the servant prayed that the chosen woman would offer to water his camels. Rebekah came to the well, drew water for him, and voluntarily watered all ten camels — a test of character and hospitality. She agreed to return with the servant and became Isaac's wife, whom he loved and who comforted him after Sarah's death. But Rebekah was also a schemer. She favoured Jacob over Esau and orchestrated the deception by which Jacob received Isaac's blessing. When Esau threatened to kill Jacob, she sent Jacob away to her brother Laban. She never saw him again. Rebekah's story shows both faith — her willingness to leave home for God's promise — and the destructive power of favouritism and manipulation within a family.

    Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah, the heir of the covenant promise, and the father of Esau and Jacob.

    Jacob was Isaac's younger son who deceived his brother Esau for the birthright and blessing, wrestled with God, and was renamed Israel — becoming the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.