And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

GENESIS 35:19KJV
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Genesis 35:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 35:19 mean?

Genesis 35:19 records that Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath, which is identified as Bethlehem. This verse marks the end of Rachel’s life and tells the reader exactly where she was buried during Jacob’s journey.

In the story, Jacob and his family are traveling, and Rachel dies after giving birth to Benjamin. The verse is a simple historical note, but it also connects Rachel’s burial place to Bethlehem, a location that becomes significant later in the Bible. The mention of the journey highlights that Rachel was not buried in the family’s ancestral tomb, setting her apart from other patriarchal figures.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 35:19

  • רָחֵל (Rachel, transliterated "Rachel"): This is the personal name of Jacob’s beloved wife, emphasizing the personal loss and the importance of her story in Genesis.
  • אֶפְרָתָה (Ephrath, transliterated "Ephrath"): This place name is linked here directly to Bethlehem, clarifying for readers that these two names refer to the same location in this context. This connection is important for understanding later biblical references to Bethlehem.

Why Genesis 35:19 matters

  • Genesis 35:19 clarifies the location of Rachel’s grave, which becomes a notable landmark in later biblical history and tradition.
  • The verse highlights that Rachel was not buried with the other patriarchs and matriarchs at Machpelah, which is significant for understanding family burial customs and later references to her tomb.
  • By connecting Ephrath to Bethlehem, the verse helps readers track important geographical details that appear in later stories, especially those concerning Bethlehem’s role in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“Ephrath” Hebrew H672 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 35:16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
  • Ruth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
  • 1 Chronicles 4:4 And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.

“Bethlehem” Hebrew H1035 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 48:7 And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
  • Ruth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
  • 2 Samuel 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

“Rachel” Hebrew H7354 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 29:6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
  • Genesis 30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
  • Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.

“buried” Hebrew H6912 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
  • Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
  • 2 Kings 15:7 So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.