Rebec’ca. In Rom 9:10 only. See Rebekah.
(See REBEKAH.)
(Hebrew: one who ensnares)
Wife of Isaac, daughter of Bathuel and sister of Laban (Genesis 34). Eliezer, Abraham’s steward, was sent to Haran to obtain her hand for Isaac. She became the mother of Esau and Jacob, the latter being her favorite (Genesis 25). She was instrumental in obtaining for him Isaac’s last blessing and in saving him from his brother’s wrath (Genesis 27).
(ῬåâÝêêá)
Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, received a Divine oracle before the birth of her twin sons, Esau and Jacob, foretelling her that she would be the mother of two nations or peoples, of whom the elder would serve the younger (Rom_9:10-12, from Gen_25:24-26). St. Paul uses this tradition as illustrating a mysterious principle which he observed in the operation of Divine grace. Even within the family of Abraham, to whom the promises were given, God more than once made choice, rejecting Ishmael and accepting Isaac, loving Jacob and hating Esau (Rom_9:7; Rom_9:13). In the OT those preferences were regarded as purely arbitrary, Jahweh having the right to do as He pleased with any mother’s sons; but the Apostle discerns in His sovereign decrees a gracious design which embraces all mankind-‘the purpose of God working by means of election’ (ἡ êáôʼ ἐêëïãὴí ðñüèåóéò). See Jacob and Esau.
James Strahan.
Wife of Isaac. Mother of Jacob and Esau. One of the Matriarchs of Judaism.