REBECCA. - Daughter of Bathuel, granddaughter of Nachor (Gen. 22:23), and wife of Isacco (cbr. Ribhqāh). In accordance with the ELISEO (v.), she courteously offered him drink, watered his camels, and invited him to lodge with her family; when requested as wife for Isacco, she willingly consented, leaving Mesopotamia (Gen. 24:10-67). After twenty years of sterility she gave birth to the twins Esaù and Giacobbe (ibid. 25:19-26; cf. Rom. 9:10).
At Gerar, Jahweh providentially protected her from the Philistines (Gen. 26:6-11). She advised and directed her favourite, Giacobbe, in secretly obtaining his father’s blessing and, subsequently saving him from Esaù’s wrath, sent him to Haran to Laban, her brother (ibid. 27). She probably did not see Giacobbe’s return (cf. ibid. 35:27); she was buried at Hebron in the family tomb (ibid. 49:31).