This paper discusses the way in which Rebekah exerts her influence in the male-dominated society of her time. (5 pages; 1 source; MLA citation style)
IIntroduction
The Book of Genesis formally relegates women to second-class positions in relation to men: the Bible tells us that Eve was made from Adam’s rib. She was thus seen as a part of him, and would never have existed if he had not been created.
Then too, throughout the first chapters of the book, we are given the history of men and their descendents, thus:
“These are the descendents of Shem. When Shem was a hundred years old, he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood; and Shem lived after the birth of Arpachshad five hundred years, and had other sons and daughters.
“When Arpachshad had lived thirty-five year, he became the father…” (Genesis, Chapter 11, verses 10-12).
The point is that the Bible is describing the line of descent from father to son to son to son; women are barely mentioned, and are unimportant in this society.
However, women did influence society, but indirectly and very subtly. There was none of the activism familiar to us today.
IIRebekah
Rebekah (Rebecca) was the great niece of Abraham; she was the daughter of Bethuel, and Bethuel was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
When Abraham grew old, he wanted to find a bride for his beloved son Isaac. However, he told his oldest and must trusted servant that he was not to find a bride for Isaac from among the Canaanites, but instead to go to Abraham’s country and family, and find a woman there.
The Essay on Years Women Woman Men Combat
GI Jane In today's society, with affirmative action full out in most industries and businesses, and the equal rights movement having made great progress; there is finally a snag in the nylons of woman activists. The question of whether women should have to serve in combat is upon us. And I am all to happy to give my whole hearted no. If you have kept up with the news in recent years, women have ...
The servant did as he was told, and “took ten of his master’s camels and departed … and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.” (Chapter 24, verse 10).
He waited outside the city, at a well where women came to draw water in the evening. He had decided that he would ask one of them for a drink for himself, and that if she agreed and also offered to water his camels, he would pray that she would be the one God had selected for Isaac.
The women came to the well, and the servant immediately saw Rebekah. “The maiden was very fair to look upon, a virgin, whom no man had known.” (Chapter 24, verse 16).
He decided to approach her and ask for water.
This one line tells us a lot about the society: women were valued for their looks, and for their chastity. The servant doesn’t wonder about her intelligence, kindness, compassion, cleverness, or any other facets of human personality. He judges her solely on her appearance.
For her part, she replies instantly when he asks for water, and says “Drink, my lord.” (Chapter 24, verse 18).
She took the jar from her head and gave him a drink, and then said “I will draw for your camels also, until they have done drinking.” (Chapter 24, verse 19).
I think it’s probably reading too much into it to suggest that she was kind to him because she hoped to impress him favorably; instead, I think her act illustrates two important points about the society. First, laws of hospitality were vital to the community, and were obeyed. The servant, as a stranger to the country, would be treated with courtesy and respect.
Second, it was Rebekah’s duty, as a woman, to serve men. We can speculate that if the servant had asked a man for a drink of water, he would probably have been given it, but it’s not too big a stretch to speculate that the other man would not have complied with the request instantly, and with such generosity. He would probably not have offered to water the camels, thinking that the servant could do this for himself. But Rebekah gave both the servant and his camels all the water they wanted, and did so instantly and without any further “prompting.” In other words, her upbringing and status in the society made it instinctive for her to answer the request of the man immediately and completely. In so doing, she unknowingly sealed her future: she would become Isaac’s wife.
The Essay on Jacob Isaac Esau Pericope
Genesis 25: 19-34 Scope, Selection and Content of Pericope Genesis 25: 19 begins a new text section, marked by a topic marker These are the descendants of name son of name which begins new sections in Gn 2: 4, 5: 1, 6: 9, 10: 1, and 11: 27. Gn 26, immediately following the pericope is an independent story about Isaac. The Jacob saga begun in 25: 19 continues with 27: 1, which directly depends on ...
Her influence in this instance is a result of her beauty, and is essentially passive. In another instance, though, she exerts her influence directly, but subtly.
She and Isaac have two sons, twins, Esau and Jacob. Isaac loves Esau, but Rebekah favors Jacob: “When the boys grew up, Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.” (Chapter 25, verse 27).
Isaac loved Esau because he brought home the meat that Isaac ate with great enjoyment. When Isaac grew old and could no longer see, he sent Esau on a hunt to bring back and prepare Isaac’s favorite savory dishes. He would then give Esau his blessing.
Rebekah overheard this, and when Esau had gone, she gave Jacob two kids from their flock, which he prepared and took to his father. Esau was extremely hairy, while Jacob describes himself as a “smooth man.” (Chapter 27, verse 11).
He knows that he father will not be fooled. But Rebekah covers Jacob with Esau’s best garment, “… and the skins of the kids she put upon his hands and upon the smooth part of his neck…” (Chapter 27, verse 16).
Isaac was tricked into thinking that Jacob was Esau, and gave the younger son his blessing. When Esau found out what had happened, he vowed to kill his brother.
Rebekah told Jacob that he was in danger and to go to her brother Laban, but instead of telling Isaac what she’d done, she said she was tired of her life among the Hittites, and would be miserable if Jacob married one of the Hittite women. When he heard that, Isaac himself told Jacob to go to Laban. (Chapter 28, verse 1).
Here are two striking examples of Rebekah’s influence. First, she has the complete allegiance of her son Jacob, who obeys her without question; he puts her wishes ahead of those of his father, which is unheard of in a patriarchy.
And second, she works indirectly to get her way. By suggesting that she is uncomfortable with the Hittites, she leads Isaac to send Jacob away, out of Esau’s reach. She obviously knows that Isaac’s concern for her welfare will lead him to the conclusion she desires. This would not have been possible if she didn’t have great influence over him.
The Essay on Jacob Padan Aram
Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau, was born in Canaan, around 2, 000 BC. Even before his birth, great things had been predicted of him by the Spirit of the Lord. It was prophesied that although he was the younger born of the twins, he should have dominion, and be the father of a great and powerful nation. The predictions also included his descendants would reign ...
IIIConclusion
Rebekah doesn’t appear in many verses in Genesis, so of necessity many of these conclusions are drawn by inference. What seems clear, though, is that she was able to influence the actions of those around her, either because of her beauty, or by making subtle suggestions and indirectly leading others to take the actions she desires.
IVReference
The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977.
