Rachel
Beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin; she died giving birth to Benjamin near Bethlehem.
What we know — and how we know it
Lehnert & Landrock — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyGenesis places Rachel's grave 'on the way to Ephrath, that is, Bethlehem', where she died giving birth to Benjamin. A domed shrine there — Rachel's Tomb — has been honoured as her burial place since at least the 4th century AD.
Where in scripture
GenesisRuth1 SamuelJeremiahMatthewHe said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”
Genesis 29:6
Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
Genesis 29:28 — Married to Jacob
Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock,
Genesis 31:4
Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
Genesis 31:14
Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.
Genesis 31:19
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.
Genesis 31:32
Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn’t find them. He went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.
Genesis 31:33
Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt around all the tent, but didn’t find them.
Genesis 31:34
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 9 recorded sayings
“Now Rachel, because she had no children, was full of envy of her sister; and she said to Jacob, If you do not give me children I will not go on living.” — Genesis 30:1
“Then she said, Here is my servant Bilhah, go in to her, so that she may have a child on my knees, and I may have a family by her.” — Genesis 30:3
“Then Rachel said, God has been my judge, and has given ear to my voice, and has given me a son; so he was named Dan.” — Genesis 30:6
“And Rachel said, I have had a great fight with my sister, and I have overcome her: and she gave the child the name Naphtali.” — Genesis 30:8
“Now at the time of the grain-cutting, Reuben saw some love-fruits in the field, and took them to his mother Leah. And Rachel said to her, Let me have some of your son's love-fruits.” — Genesis 30:14
“But Leah said to her, Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband from me? and now would you take my son's love-fruits? Then Rachel said, You may have him tonight in exchange for your son's love-fruits.” — Genesis 30:15
“And she was with child, and gave birth to a son: and she said, God has taken away my shame. And she gave him the name Joseph, saying, May the Lord give me another son.” — Genesis 30:23-24
“Then Rachel and Leah said to him in answer, What part or heritage is there for us in our father's house? Are we not as people from a strange country to him? for he took a price for us and now it is all used up. For the wealth which God has taken from him is ours and our children's; so now, whatever God has said to you, do.” — Genesis 31:14-16
…and 1 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
