Rachel

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Role: Beloved wife of Jacob, mother of Joseph and Benjamin, matriarch
• Family: Daughter of Laban, wife of Jacob, sister of Leah
• Key Books: Genesis

Biography

Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban and the love of Jacob’s life. When Jacob saw her at the well, he wept and agreed to work 7 years for the right to marry her — years that “seemed unto him but a few days for the love he had to her.”

But Laban deceived Jacob, giving him the older daughter Leah instead. Jacob worked another 7 years for Rachel. Though Rachel initially bore no children, she eventually gave birth to Joseph and later Benjamin, who died during childbirth.

Rachel was jealous of Leah her whole life, offering her maid Bilhah to Jacob. She stole her father’s household gods when fleeing. She begged Jacob “Give me children, or I die.” Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin on the road to Ephrathah (Bethlehem), buried on the way. Her tomb became a landmark mentioned centuries later.

Key Events

• Met Jacob at the well — Jacob wept with joy
• Deception at wedding — Laban gave Leah first
• Bare Joseph and Benjamin
• Stole Laban’s household gods
• Died in childbirth — buried near Bethlehem

Relationships

• Jacob — Husband, beloved
• Leah — Older sister, co-wife, rival
• Joseph — Firstborn son
• Benjamin — Second son, born at her death
• Bilhah — Maid, mother of Dan and Naphtali
• Laban — Father

Important Verses

• “And it came to pass, when Jacob saw that Rachel was beloved… that he said, I will serve thee seven years for Leah thine older daughter.” — Genesis 29:18-20
• “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.” — Genesis 30:22

Cross-References

• Matthew 2:18 — “Rachel weeping for her children” — Herod’s massacre
• Jeremiah 31:15 — God comforts Rachel weeping for her children
• Hosea 12:4 — Jacob wrestles, Rachel’s children