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The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac

16 Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense. 17 After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” 18 Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”). 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Jacob set up a stone monument over Rachel’s grave, and it can be seen there to this day.

21 Then Jacob[a] traveled on and camped beyond Migdal-eder. 22 While he was living there, Reuben had intercourse with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Jacob soon heard about it.

These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob:

23 The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob’s oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

24 The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin.

25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan and Naphtali.

26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad and Asher.

These are the names of the sons who were born to Jacob at Paddan-aram.

27 So Jacob returned to his father, Isaac, in Mamre, which is near Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had both lived as foreigners. 28 Isaac lived for 180 years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, joining his ancestors in death. And his sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.

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Footnotes

  1. 35:21 Hebrew Israel; also in 35:22a. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.

The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac(A)

16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath,(B) Rachel(C) began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife(D) said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.”(E) 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni.[a](F) But his father named him Benjamin.[b](G)

19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath(H) (that is, Bethlehem(I)). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day(J) that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.(K)

21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.(L) 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine(M) Bilhah,(N) and Israel heard of it.

Jacob had twelve sons:

23 The sons of Leah:(O)

Reuben the firstborn(P) of Jacob,

Simeon, Levi, Judah,(Q) Issachar and Zebulun.(R)

24 The sons of Rachel:

Joseph(S) and Benjamin.(T)

25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah:(U)

Dan and Naphtali.(V)

26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah:(W)

Gad(X) and Asher.(Y)

These were the sons of Jacob,(Z) who were born to him in Paddan Aram.(AA)

27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac(AB) in Mamre,(AC) near Kiriath Arba(AD) (that is, Hebron),(AE) where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.(AF) 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years.(AG) 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people,(AH) old and full of years.(AI) And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.(AJ)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 35:18 Ben-Oni means son of my trouble.
  2. Genesis 35:18 Benjamin means son of my right hand.