Rebecca

Tissot Abraham's Servant Meets Rebecca

James Jacques Joseph Tissot - Rebecca Meets Isaac by the Way - Google Art Project

Grave rebecca, wife of nabi Ishaq

Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo 022

Giuseppe Molteni - Rebecca - Google Art Project

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RebeccaAtTheWell Giovanni

Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin, found in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Bible, meaning "to tie, to bind". It is a traditional female first name that has been widely used across different cultures and eras. The name is most famously associated with the biblical figure Rebecca (biblical matriarch), who was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. Rebecca's story is told primarily in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis chapters 24 through 27, where she is depicted as a key figure in the Patriarchal narratives.

Biblical Account

In the Bible, Rebecca is noted for her act of kindness at the well, where she offered water to Abraham's servant and his camels. This act led to her becoming the wife of Isaac, fulfilling Abraham's wish for his son to marry someone from his own kin. Rebecca's life is marked by several significant events, including her struggle with infertility, her prayers to God for children, and the birth of her twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Her favoritism towards Jacob and her role in the deception of Isaac to ensure Jacob received his father's blessing are pivotal moments in the biblical narrative.

Cultural Significance

The name Rebecca has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout history and has been featured prominently in literature and popular culture. In literature, one of the most famous works featuring a character named Rebecca is the novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, published in 1938. The story, which revolves around the mysterious former wife of a wealthy widower, has been adapted into several films and a stage play.

In addition to its literary associations, the name Rebecca has maintained popularity over the years, with variations of the name being used across different cultures and languages.

Variations

The name Rebecca has various spellings and variations in different languages, including:

• Rebekah (English)
• Rébecca (French)
• Rebekka (German, Dutch)
• Rebeca (Spanish, Portuguese)
• Rivka (Hebrew)

Notable People Named Rebecca

There have been many notable individuals named Rebecca, spanning various fields such as politics, arts, and science. These include:

• Rebecca West (1892–1983), British author, journalist, and literary critic
• Rebecca Lobo (born 1973), American basketball player
• Rebecca Clarke (1886–1979), British composer and violist

See Also

• List of biblical names starting with R
• Cultural impact of names