Rachel, daughter of Laban
The name Rachel means “sheep.” Rachel is mentioned in 45 verses of the Bible, first in Genesis 29:6. Also called Rahel.
Family of Rachel
Who was Rachel?
Ewe, “the daughter”, “the somewhat petulant, peevish, and self-willed though beautiful younger daughter” of Laban, and one of Jacob’s wives (Gen. 29:6, 28). He served Laban fourteen years for her, so deep was Jacob’s affection for her. She was the mother of Joseph (Gen. 30:22-24). Afterwards, on Jacob’s departure from Mesopotamia, she took with her her father’s teraphim (31:34, 35). As they journeyed on from Bethel, Rachel died in giving birth to Benjamin (35:18, 19), and was buried “in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave”. Her sepulchre is still regarded with great veneration by the Jews. Its traditional site is about half a mile from Jerusalem.
This name is used poetically by Jeremiah (31:15-17) to denote God’s people mourning under their calamities. This passage is also quoted by Matthew as fulfilled in the lamentation at Bethlehem on account of the slaughter of the infants there at the command of Herod (Matt. 2:17, 18).
Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.
Key verses about Rachel
- Genesis 29:6
And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
- Genesis 29:10
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
- Genesis 29:18
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
- Genesis 29:20
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
- Genesis 30:1
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
- Genesis 30:22
And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
Timeline of Rachel's life
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1744 BC | Birth of Joseph |
| 1738 BC | Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin |
All 45 verses mentioning Rachel
- Genesis 29:6
- Genesis 29:9
- Genesis 29:10
- Genesis 29:11
- Genesis 29:12
- Genesis 29:16
- Genesis 29:17
- Genesis 29:18
- Genesis 29:20
- Genesis 29:25
- Genesis 29:28
- Genesis 29:29
- Genesis 29:30
- Genesis 29:31
- Genesis 30:1
- Genesis 30:2
- Genesis 30:6
- Genesis 30:7
- Genesis 30:8
- Genesis 30:14
- Genesis 30:15
- Genesis 30:22
- Genesis 30:25
- Genesis 31:4
- Genesis 31:14
- Genesis 31:19
- Genesis 31:32
- Genesis 31:33
- Genesis 31:34
- Genesis 33:1
- Genesis 33:2
- Genesis 33:7
- Genesis 35:16
- Genesis 35:19
- Genesis 35:20
- Genesis 35:24
- Genesis 35:25
- Genesis 46:19
- Genesis 46:22
- Genesis 46:25
- Genesis 48:7
- Ruth 4:11
- 1 Samuel 10:2
- Jeremiah 31:15
- Matthew 2:18