Bible Trivia - 3/15/2009

Question: What Old Testament matriarch had a nurse named Deborah?

Answer: Rebekah. (Genesis 35:8)

Comments: There are two Biblical characters named Deborah, the famous prophetess/judge in the Book of Judges and a lesser known nurse who appears in the book of Genesis. Nothing of the latter’s life is mentioned, only a notice of her death. Deborah died at Allon-bacuth and was buried by her master’s son Jacob, who was returning with his family to Canaan.

Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; it was named Allon-bacuth. (Genesis 35:8, NASB)

Famed commentator Rashi (1040-1105) wrote that Deborah was sent by Laban to care for his sister Rebekah when the latter went to marry Isaac (Genesis 24:59). In Genesis 35, the elderly nurse was informing Jacob that it was safe to return home.

Others have speculated that Deborah was delivering the news of her master’s death when she died. Rebekah’s death is not recorded in Scripture.

Note: This painting, “Rebekah at The Well” by Michael Deas, depicts Rebekah offering water to Eliezer. The scene is from Genesis 24, Rebekah’s debut in the Biblical text.