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.

GENESIS 48:7KJV
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Genesis 48:7 (KJV)

What does Genesis 48:7 mean?

Genesis 48:7 records Jacob telling Joseph about the death of Rachel, Joseph’s mother, as they traveled from Padan to Canaan. Jacob explains that Rachel died on the journey, near Ephrath (which is Bethlehem), and that he buried her there along the way.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking directly to his son Joseph during a significant family blessing scene. Jacob recalls a personal and painful memory, explaining why Rachel was not buried in the family tomb. This detail sets the emotional background for the blessings Jacob is about to give Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and highlights Rachel’s importance in their family story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 48:7

  • פדן (Padan, transliterated "Padan") refers to the region called Padan-Aram, where Jacob had lived for many years. Mentioning this place reminds Joseph of their family’s journey and history.
  • ארץ (erets, transliterated "land") is used for "land of Canaan," emphasizing that Rachel died within the promised land, not outside it.
  • אפרת (Ephrath, transliterated "Ephrath") is the old name for Bethlehem. By naming both, Jacob connects the ancient and later names, clarifying the location for his descendants.

Why Genesis 48:7 matters

  • Genesis 48:7 explains why Rachel, unlike other family members, was buried on the road rather than in the family tomb at Machpelah, which could otherwise seem like a slight.
  • The verse highlights Jacob’s personal grief and the special place Rachel held in his heart, adding emotional depth to the blessings that follow.
  • By linking Ephrath to Bethlehem, the verse roots the family’s story in a specific, well-known location, which later becomes significant in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“little” Hebrew H3530 · used in 3 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.
  • 2 Kings 5:19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

“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.

“Padan” Hebrew H6307 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
  • Genesis 28:6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
  • Genesis 33:18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.

“when” Hebrew H5750 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
  • Genesis 46:30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.