What is the meaning of the name Rebekah in the Bible?
Introduction
Rebekah is a Hebrew name derived from Rivkah, meaning to bind, tie, or ensnare.
Rebekah was Isaac’s wife, Abraham’s promised son, and the mother of Jacob and Esau.
She was one of the biblical matriarchs as her son, Jacob, is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel and received the covenant His father, Isaac, and grandfather, Abraham, received from God.
Rebekah can also be spelled as Rebecca.
The name Rebekah has many spiritual and biblical significance.
And if you are considering naming your child or adopting it as a baptismal name, this article will guide you.
The meanings of the name Rebekah in the Bible:
Comforter
“Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” (Genesis 24:67)
The name Rebekah means a comforter.
Before Isaac met Rebekah, he had just lost his mother, Sarah.
Isaac had not recovered from the loss when Abraham instructed his trusted servant to embark on the journey to find a suitable spouse for his son and bring her home.
The Bible records that Isaac became comforted immediately after he met Rebekah, and she became his wife. Therefore, the presence of Rebekah deleted every trace of sorrow and pain Sarah’s death had caused.
Rebekah filled the empty void Sarah left in her son’s life, reigniting the spark in his face and life.
Therefore, if you are suffering grief, pain, or sorrow in your life or family and God blesses you with a female child, Rebekah could be the perfect name to name her.
The child might bring back a smile to your face and make your home lively.
Captivating
“Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up.” (Genesis 24:16)
Another biblical meaning of Rebekah is beautiful, captivating, or gorgeous.
The Bible describes her in several verses as very beautiful to look upon.
Also, the Hebrew interpretation of Rebekah is to ensnare, meaning to capture.
Many things can ensnare or capture someone’s mind or attention.
A typical example is beauty. As such, Rebekah’s are naturally beautiful to look upon, and they radiate beauty.
The Bible records that Rebekah was so beautiful that Isaac had to say she was his sister so Philistine men would not kill him and take her away from him.
“And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.” (Genesis 26:7)
Do you have a beautiful daughter?
Rebekah might be the perfect name for her. However, beauty in the Bible is not only subjected to the face and body figure. Instead, it extends to one’s behavior.
That is what makes a woman virtuous (Proverbs 31:10-31). Therefore, the name Rebekah does not only reflect facial beauty but attitude and godly manners.
Kindness, hospitality, and compassion
“And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” (Genesis 26:19)
Rebekah, in the Bible, displayed uncommon kindness and hospitality to Abraham’s servant and his troop.
She gave them water to quench their thirst and camels water to drink, even though she never knew them.
This showed that she was filled with love and compassion.
She did not choose to care for those she knew or those that could pay her back. Instead, she did it from a pure heart.
Therefore, the name Rebekah is synonymous with kindness, hospitality, and compassion.
Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26).
The Bible records in several verses how Jesus was compassionate.
He was not just compassionate but was moved by it to help those needing healing and a miracle.
Bearing the name Rebekah can fill you with these godly virtues and push you to look out for the needs of others and ameliorate their sufferings. In the end, these virtues attract blessings.
In Rebekah’s case, she was chosen to become Isaac’s wife.
Divine provision
“And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” (Genesis 24:27)
Rebekah was the answer to Abraham’s servant’s prayer.
In fact, she appeared immediately after he prayed to God, stating the requirements that will qualify any young lady to be Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24:12-15).
Rebekah appeared and fulfilled all the requirements. Therefore, the name Rebekah signifies divine provision and God’s answer to our prayers or desires.
The name Rebekah can be like a magnetic force, attracting divine attention and response.
Having someone bearing the name in one’s family or bearing the name can cause one to always enjoy divine favor.
A baby named Rebekah can attract good luck and fortune to herself and her family.
Faith
“Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” (Genesis 24:58)
In the Bible, Rebekah displayed an incredible level of faith by accepting the proposal of total strangers to marry a young man she had never met before.
It takes a great level of trust in God to be able to embark on such a life-long journey.
Those bearing Rebekah may display some form of radical faith more than average Christians or people.
Their intuitions are sharper, and they are more courageous to follow their inner voice.
The beautiful thing about Rebekah’s faith is that it was rewarded.
God blessed her with a great man and children.
God established His covenant with her husband and child, making her a matriarch.
Therefore, the name Rebekah can spark the fire of faith in the bearer and make them take bold steps toward their future and God’s will.
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.