The Genesis Project
Genesis 35

The First Deborah

182 words · April 28, 2026

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

Most of us know of Deborah, the mighty prophetess and judge of Israel from the book of Judges. But most of us don't know the first woman named Deborah in the bible. She's the woman who nursed Rebekah, given to Rebekah as a companion back in Genesis 24:

So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham's servant and his men. Genesis 24:59 (NASB)

Interestingly, neither the nurse (Deborah) nor Abraham's servant (Eliezer) are named in that passage, but they both serve as important servants. But what's perhaps more interesting is that here, in Genesis 35, Deborah's death is mentioned, but Rebekah's death is never mentioned in the text. Later, we'll read that Rebekah is buried (Genesis 49:31), but the text simply omits any mention of the event of Rebekah's death. But it does mention Deborah's death.

It's facinating to think about, because the author(s) did this intentionally. They want us to notice this.

Deborah Eliezer Judges Rebekah

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