Woman living at the time of the Patriarchs
Rachel
Laban’s younger daughter, “beautiful in form and attractive,” whom Jacob met at the well and loved at once; he served seven years for her and they seemed like a few days (Genesis 29:6–20). Laban first gave him Leah, and Jacob then served seven more years for Rachel (Genesis 29:21–30). She was barren for years, and gave Jacob her servant Bilhah, who bore Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:1–8).
At last God remembered her, and she bore Joseph (Genesis 30:22–24). She died giving birth to Benjamin on the road to Ephrath (Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her grave (Genesis 35:16–20). Matthew hears her weeping in the grief of the mothers of Bethlehem after Herod’s slaughter (Matthew 2:16–18; Jeremiah 31:15).
Family
- Father
- Laban
- Husband
- Jacob
- Children
- Joseph son of Jacob, Benjamin