how old was rachel when she married jacob

Due to Rachels good deeds or to Reubens sin, the initial order was restored. The midrash views this confrontation between Jacob and Esau as symbolizing the future rivalries between the descendants of the two. Systems of Transliteration Citation of Proper Names. She was the younger daughter of Laban and the younger sister of Leah. They declare that Rachel was not envious of her sister's fertility, but of her righteousness; she thought that if Leah had not been a better woman than she, she would not have had children. Rabbah3:2). When Jacob first met Laban (his mother's brother), he immediately fell in love with his younger daughter Rachel. Today the site is surrounded by an armed fortress and under heavy guard. She therefore insisted that Jacob pray to God for children, arguing that his father, Isaac, had done so(comp. After spending a month with his relatives he asked for her hand in marriage in return for working seven years for Laban the Aramean. The custom in those days was for a man to wait at least a week after arranging to marry a woman. Harvard Theological Review113, no. Jacob said to Rachel: who has deniedyoufruit of the wombHe denied you, but me He did not deny [since I have sons from Leah]. Yet a third tradition explains that Rachel merited pregnancy because she brought her rival wife [Bilhah] into her house. Leah was busy with raising her children and therefore could not care for the needs of the household. According to the "Sefer ha-Yashar" (section "Wayee," p. 46a, Leghorn, 1870), Rachel herself prayed God to give her children, and God finally answered her prayer. Leah agreed, and when Jacob returned from the field, Leah told him directly that she had "hired" him for the evening, at the price of a few mandrakes. Rachelis depicted in theTorah she-bi-khetav: Lit. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". Rabbah[ed. According to another tradition, all three mothers (Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah) gathered and said: We have enough males; let her [Rachel] be remembered(Gen. Rabbah72:6). Rabbah37:1). The impregnation of Sarah and Rachel, the Matriarchs of the nation, heralds that God will also deliver their descendants from the troubles they would suffer in the future. When Joseph was born, Rachel stated(Gen. 30:24): May the Lord add [yosef] another son for me. TheLit. In the morning, Jacob discovered he had been tricked. This exegetical direction is supported by the divine aid she received in the miraculous concealment of the idols from Laban. 11). Today, we live in a performance-based society. Gen. 33:2relates: putting the maids and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last, to which the midrash comments: The more behind, the more beloved(Gen. Rabbah78:8). Bilhah: Midrash and Aggadah | Jewish Women's Archive Another tradition has Leah herself being responsible for the change. The account of Jacob and Rachel is presented to the reader as a love story, and quite a romantic one at that. 10:12): Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon, O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon! was by merit of Rachels kindness (Tanhuma[ed. When Laban overtook Jacob in the hill country of Gilead, he reproached him(Gen. 31:30): but why did you steal my idols?, to which Jacob replied (v. 32): But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not remain alive! Themidrashexplains that this statement by Jacob was as an error committed by a ruler [which is nevertheless implementedfollowingEccl. (NIV), Genesis 35:24The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. In the four years following their marriage, Leah had four sons; Rachel had none. How Old Was Jacob When He Married Rachael? 3; Pire R. El. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). TheA type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules).midrash portrays Rachel as a prophetess, and her statements and the names she gave her sons contain allusions to the future. The Rabbis did not view this exchange between the sisters favorably. The most extreme description of Rachels act of self-sacrifice appears inLam. How old was Rachel when Jacob married her? (2022, December 6). That was a lie. Family relations of Rachel in the Bible. So, Jacob married and started having children 7 years into his 20 years of service to Laban. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. When Rachel saw that she did not bear children, she followed in the footsteps of Sarah: just as she [Sarah] had been built (i.e., had children) through her rival wife [Hagar], so too, this one [Rachel] would be built by her rival wife [Bilhah] (Gen. Rabbahloc. By ancient custom, Bilhah's children would be credited to Rachel. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. xxi., where the number 37 must be corrected to 36). Rachel's death was so deeply felt by Jacob that he considered it the greatest of all his sorrows (Ruth R. i. 31:15Israel is called after Rachel: Rachel weeping for her children; inAmos 5:15Israel is named after her son: Perhaps the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph; and inJer. Due to the shame that Benjamin suffered through no fault of his own, he merited having the Divine Presence rest in his portion [the Temple was erected in the portion of the tribe of Benjamin], which thereby publicly proclaimed his innocence. Gen. 30:22reveals: Now God remembered Rachel; God heeded her and opened her womb. In the midrashic expansion, Rachel was remembered (i.e., became pregnant) on The Jewish New Year, held on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. God took pity on Leah and allowed her to bear children, while Rachel was barren. These two exegetical positions derive the word akarah from ikar. The first view maintains that even though Leah had children, Rachel continued to be the beloved and preferred wife, which was expressed in the running of the household. Only now, upon the birth of Naphtali, did Rachel sense that she had regained her former standing. 22). What am I, flesh and blood, dust and ashes, that I was not jealous of my rival wife, and that I did not allow her to be shamed and disgraced, but You, merciful living and eternal King, why were You jealous of idolatry that is of no import, and exiled my children who were slain by the sword, and allowed their enemies to do with them as they pleased? Gods mercy was immediately revealed, and He said: For your sake, Rachel, I shall return Israel to their placefor there is a reward for your labor []. The Rabbis learned from this that whoever makes a vow and delays fulfilling it will bury his wife (Lev. Thus she would be eighteen years of age when she married. Instead of showing understanding, he amplifies her pain by telling her that he already has four sons from Leah. Even when he came to bless her son, he made him [Joseph] secondary to her. Since he did not have the money to pay the bride price (the mohar ) for her, he agreed to work seven years for him and then marry Rachel. [1] In 1620, the Ottoman Turks surrounded the supposed grave with a cube surmounted by a dome. 1777 BC-1759 BC-1738 BC) was the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Thus Rachel knew that Jacob loved her more than he did Leah.[1][2][3][4]. As compensation for this negative depiction, Scripture calls Israel after her, after her son, and after her sons son. Gen. 33:67describes the meeting with Esau: Then the maids, with their children, came forward and bowed low; next Leah, with her children, came forward and bowed low; and lastly, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed low. The Rabbis noted that the other wives came first and their children after them, while Joseph stepped forward before his mother Rachel. There is also an intermediate approach, which argues that Reuben should have received the birthright, but it was permanently taken from him because of his sin. God said to Jacob: Is this how one replies to embittered women? Leah knew that twelve tribes would issue from Jacob. How long were Jacob and Rachel married? - Christianity Stack Exchange An additional important trait of Rachels was the art of silence and the ability to keep secrets, a quality that she also passed on to her offspring, who were known for their taciturnity: Benjamin, Saul, andEsther. She said: We are leavingshall we leave this old man in his corruption [i.e., idolatry]? Consequently, Scripture proclaims her praise and tells of the act of theft(Gen. Rabbah74:5). Zavada, Jack. She bore another son and a daughter over the next two years. The Story of Jacob and his Wives Leah and Rachel The role of women in the Old Testament. xxxv. This midrash uses a common date to connect various historical events. At first childless, Rachel eventually gave birth to Joseph and died giving birth to Benjamin. Rachel said: I prepared myself [nupeti, i.e., I prepared myself for Jacobs bed], I allowed myself to be persuaded [pititito withdraw in favor of my sister and to aid her to be Jacobs wife], I exalted my sister over myself [taliti ahoti alai], and I have prevailed(Gen. Rabbah71:8). Rachel and Leah in the Bible - Biblical Archaeology Society Gen. 35:18attests: But as she breathed her lastfor she was dyingshe named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. The Rabbis explain that Rachel called the child the son of my suffering [in Aramaic], while his father gave him the Hebrew name Benjamin. The midrashic sources specify that Rachel died at the age of thirty-six (SederOlam Rabbah2) and list three women who had difficult childbirths and died: Rachel, the wife of Phinehas(I Sam. 40) are considered by the Rabbis to symbolize the four matriarchs, Rachel, who died the youngest, they consider symbolized by the willows of the brook, which fade sooner than any other plant (Lev. In yet another exegetical understanding, Rachel said: May the Lord add another son for me for exile, because the ten tribes were exiled beyond the Sambatyon river, while the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were dispersed throughout all the lands. The younger daughter of Laban and the wife of Jacob, Rachel is the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, who become two of the twelve tribes of Israel ( Gen 35:24; 46:15-18). In another midrashic understanding, Rachel alluded to the disgrace during the time of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who was a descendant of the tribe of Ephraim, and who engaged in idolatry and denigrated the prophet Ahijah of Shiloh(I Kings 1214); this disgrace was taken away when Jeroboam was put to death(II Chron. [1] 14; Midr. In another midrashic tradition, however, Jacob did not initially favor Rachel over Leah. The Rabbis teach of Rachels compassion for her sister, that prevailed over her loyalty to Jacob, along with the unending tension between the two women who lived under the same roof. "Staging Rachel: Rabbinic Midrash, Theatrical Mime, and Christian Martyrdom in Late Antiquity." After Rachels death, Bilhah took her place. According to the Rabbis, Laban would not have succeeded in deceiving Jacob without Rachels involvement. Episode 91: Israel at 75: Voices of Protest. Rachel and Joseph were most beloved by Jacob, and therefore they stood last. Read Genesis 29:15-30 Rachel has a son, Joseph Rachel may have been the more loved of the two women, but she was not the most fertile. These midrashic expositions cast Rachels act in a positive light. "Meet Rachel - Favored Wife of Jacob." Rachel immediately told her father Laban about the helpful stranger at the well. Rachel: Bible | Jewish Women's Archive (NIV). Rachel knows that she is Jacobs true intended bride. Rachel unquestionably had Jacob's favor, but Rachel was sterile, while Leah was fertile. Rachel lived in Harran, or Paddan Aram, and that's where she met her cousin Jacob. Rebekah had sent him there to be safe from his angry twin brother, Esau . Jealous of her sister, Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife. When Naphtali was born, Rachel felt that her competition with her sister had reached a point of equilibrium. The competition between Rachel and Leah did not cease upon Rachels death, and is reflected in the question of the birthright: which of the firstborn of Jacobs wives would receive the birthright, Reuben or Joseph? Themidrashrelates that Rachel was twenty-two years old when she was married to Jacob (SederOlam Rabbah2), and her barrenness lasted for fourteen years (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah18, p. 99). 8:6: Passion [kinah, literally, jealousy] is mighty as Sheolthis was Rachels jealousy of her sister (Tanhuma[ed. The midrash further states that, as reward for Rachels modesty, Saul was descended from her; and as reward for Sauls modesty, Esther was descended from him. Referred to alternatively as the "Day of Judgement" and the "Day of Blowing" (of the shofar).Rosh Ha-Shanah, like Sarah andHannah. Therefore, Benjamin must have been conceived shortly before the flight from Laban and born nine months later. A compilation of the commentary and discussions of the, Matriarchs: A Liturgical and Theological Category, Modesty and Sexuality in Halakhic Literature, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. God accepted her prayer and the sex of the fetus in her womb changed to female(BTBerakhot60a;Tanhuma[ed. Recall Jacob had to flee from his family's house because of his treachery toward his brother Esau. ; Gen. R. lxxiv. Jacob told her that he was the son of her aunt Rebekah. Before her death, Rachel names the newborn. If I had sent a message to him, saying: Take note that they are deceiving you, would he not have refrained? It seems to just throw out there that Rachel was 36 when she died; since Yaakov married her after 7 years working for Lavan, and he left Charan after another 7 years after they got married, plus 6 years after all but Binyamin were born, and Rachel died at the end of the two-year journey back to Yitzchak, they were married for 15 . Jealous of her sister, Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife. Who was Rachel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org "Jacob and Rachel at the Well, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot, c. 1896-1902. Jer. When Jacob spoke with Leah, Rachel would answer him, so that he would not identify Leahs voice (Lam. The Hebrew name of Rachel means ewe or beautiful. Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. In the tableau inGen. 35:17, Rachel experiences difficulty in childbirth and the midwife tells her: Have no fear, for it is another boy for you. The Rabbis observe that this is how a womans spirit is restored during childbirth, by telling her not to fear, because she is giving birth to a son [which was regarded as an honor which would raise the womans spirits](Gen. Rabbah82:8). In another tradition, Rachel envied Leahs good deeds. Referred to alternatively as the "Day of Judgement" and the "Day of Blowing" (of the, Lit. Gen. 30:1relates that when Rachel saw that she was not bearing children, she told Jacob: Give me children, or I shall die, leading the Rabbis to conclude that whoever is childless is regarded as dead (Lam. The Rabbis are lavish in their praise of Rachel, whom they describe as merciful, and who waived her personal benefit and desires on behalf of her sister. Gen. 29:18attests: Jacob loved Rachel. The midrashic exegesis of this verse characterizes this love of Jacobs with a reference toCant. xxiii. When Leah was brought under the wedding canopy, Rachel thought: Now my sister will be shamed [when Jacob discovers the fraud and does not marry her]. She gave the signs to Leah. In theTorahReuben is deposed from his status as firstborn for having violated his fathers bed(Gen. 49:34) and this distinction is conferred on Joseph when Jacob declares that Ephraim and Manasseh are his sons(Gen. 48:56). TheTorahstates that Rachel named Bilhahs sons. 32), he not knowing that Rachel had taken the images. "order." 113:9states: He sets the childless woman among her household as a happy mother of children (Pesikta de-Rav Kahana[ed. Jacob gave Reuben the birthright, but it was postponed because of the sin of the latter, who was vindicated and regained his birthright in the time of Moses. The reason for this was Josephs fear that Esau would see Rachel and desire her. Buber],Vayeze12). DAY 34: Jacob Was 84 Years Old When He Married Rachel And Leah A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). 14). This was the year in which Jacob fled in secret from Laban. Notwithstanding this, Rachels exemplary deeds caused the seniority to return to her. When Laban caught up with them, he searched for the idols, but Rachel had hidden the statues under her camel's saddle. Rachel was one of the four Jewish matriarchs, all of whom were prophetesses (Ber. Tadshe, in Epstein, "Mi-admoniyyot ha-Yehudim," Supplement, p. In this manner, the barren women became one of the Matriarchs of the nation. But as she approached, a stranger (Jacob) rolled the stone away for her and watered the sheep. According to another tradition, Rachel and Leah were twins, and they were married to Jacob at the age of twenty-two (Lit. 3 (2020): 299-333. Jacob now explained his actions. Rather, he told the latter(Gen. 49:3): Reuben, you are my first-born; notwithstanding this, Jacob also spoke disparagingly of him (v. 4): Unstable as water, you shall excel no longer. Many years later, Moses would bless Reuben and release him from this disgrace(Deut. cit.). 29a; R. H. 11a), and it was particularly her self-abnegation at the time of her sister's marriage which gained for her the divine clemency (Gen. R. lxxiii. This midrash bore a message of consolation to the Rabbis and the Jews of their time, since, for the Rabbis, Esau symbolized the Roman empire. He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour. DAY 34: Jacob Was 84 Years Old When He Married Rachel And Leah By richoka Leave a Comment We've now arrived at the third Biblical patriarch: Jacob. Have an update or correction? Buber],Vayeze6). 9-12, 17-18, 31; xxx. Leah suddenly found herself sterile after the birth of Judah, and offered Jacob her own handmaid as well. When Rachel heard this, she ran to tell her father. 1; Tan., Wayee, 19; Gen. R. lxxi. 19; Gen. R. lxxxii. Captivated by her, "Jacob went over to the well and moved the stone from its mouth and watered his uncles flock." Another tradition explains that most of those around [the table] were from Leah, and therefore Rachel was the main person [ikar] of the household(Gen. Rabbah71:2).

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