Rebekah

Daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew (Gen 22:23). She lived in Paddan—aram until persuaded by Abraham's servant, who had been sent by his master to seek a wife for Isaac, to accompany him to Canaan to become the wife of Isaac (ch 24:1—67). Finally, 20 years after her marriage, she bore twins, Esau and Jacob (ch 25:19—26). On one occasion when the family dwelt in Gerar, Isaac attempted to pass off Rebekah as his sister (ch 26:6—11), as Abraham his father had done with Sarah many years earlier (ch 12:1—20).

Rebekah favored her younger son, Jacob (ch 25:28), and directed him to deceive his blind father so as to obtain the parental blessing that Isaac planned to pronounce upon Esau (ch 27:1—29). Learning that Esau planned to kill his brother for having robbed him of his rights, Rebekah planned Jacob's departure for Paddan—aram and assisted him in his flight (vs 41—46). She seems to have died during the 20 years of Jacob's absence, but the circumstances of her death are not recorded. However, Jacob speaks of his mother as being buried in the Cave of Machpelah (ch 49:31).