Rachel’s Tomb

A landmark set up by Jacob at the site of Rachel’s grave (Genesis 35:1920). It still existed at the time of Samuel (1 Samuel 10:2).

Two persisting traditions make its original location still questionable:

  1. The older tradition locates the tomb near Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem (Genesis 35:19; 48:7; Matthew 2:18). This option has strong support from Josephus, Eusebius, Jerome, Origen, and the Talmudists.

  2. A second site is Ephrath (Genesis 35:19), which was on the northern border of Benjamin, 16.1 kilometers (ten miles) north of Jerusalem (1 Samuel 10:2; Jeremiah 31:15), near ancient Bethel.

Rachel’s tomb is the first recorded instance in the Bible of a "sepulchral monument" (a large statue in memory of the dead). A picture of the tomb is a common decorative piece in Jewish homes throughout the world.

From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Scripture References (5)

Genesis

1 Samuel

Jeremiah

Matthew