Rebecca

Abraham's servant arrives at Nahor seeking a wife for Isaac. He prays for a sign: the right woman will offer water to him and his camels. Rebekah appears, beautiful and virtuous, and fulfills the sign exactly by watering all ten camels.

The servant explains his mission and reveals God's guidance. Rebekah's family recognizes this is from the Lord. When asked whether she will go with the servant, Rebekah boldly answers: 'I will go.' She leaves her homeland to marry a man she has never met.

Isaac is meditating in the field at evening when the caravan arrives. Rebekah sees him, dismounts, and covers herself with a veil. Isaac brings her into his mother Sarah's tent, marries her, and is comforted after his mother's death. He loves her.

Rebekah is barren for twenty years. Isaac prays to the Lord on her behalf. God answers, and Rebekah conceives. The twins struggle within her, and she inquires of the Lord about their conflict.

God reveals that two nations are in her womb and the older will serve the younger. Esau is born first, red and hairy; Jacob follows, grasping Esau's heel. This prophetic word will shape Rebekah's future actions.

As the boys grow, Isaac favors Esau the hunter while Rebekah loves Jacob. This parental favoritism divides the family. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for stew, despising his inheritance.

When blind Isaac prepares to bless Esau, Rebekah overhears and devises a plan for Jacob to steal the blessing. She prepares food and covers Jacob with goatskins. Her plan succeeds, but at great cost: Jacob must flee Esau's murderous rage.

Rebekah urges Isaac to send Jacob to her brother Laban to find a wife, using the pretext of avoiding Canaanite wives like Esau's. Jacob departs for Haran. Rebekah apparently never sees her beloved son again.

Rebekah's death is not recorded, but she is buried in the cave of Machpelah with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Leah. Her nurse Deborah's death is mentioned when Jacob returns, suggesting Rebekah had already died.