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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

IntroIndex©

RACHEL’S TOMB

Landmark set up by Jacob at the site of Rachel’s grave (Gn 35:19-20) that was still in existence at the time of Samuel (1 Sm 10:2). Two persisting traditions make its original location still questionable. The older tradition locates the tomb near Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem (Gn 35:19; 48:7; Mt 2:18). This option has won the impressive historical support of Josephus, Eusebius, Jerome, Origen, and the Talmudists. A second site is Ephrath (Gn 35:19), which was on the northern border of Benjamin, 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) north of Jerusalem (1 Sm 10:2; Jer 31:15), near ancient Bethel.

Rachel’s tomb is the first recorded instance in the Bible of a sepulchral monument. A picture of the tomb is a common decorative piece in Jewish homes throughout the world.