Rebekah’s Character and Age When She Married Isaac
The story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24–25 has often been discussed not only for its beauty but also for questions surrounding Rebekah’s age at the time of her marriage. This has inspired discussion for centuries and even in the modren world— especially regarding Rebekah’s age at the time of her marriage.
While some traditional interpretations, like those found in Seder Olam Rabbah and cited by the medieval commentator Rashi, A French rabbi and commentator suggest that Rebekah was only three years old, the same as muslims follow the religious and cultural tradition for marriage of young girls, but the biblical narrative itself gives a very different picture.
However, a close reading of the biblical text tells a completely different story: Rebekah was a mature, capable young woman, not a child.
Child marriage is a serious concern in parts of South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The issue is not unique to any one faith; it arises mainly from poverty, lack of education, and traditional or tribal customs that pre-date modern legal systems. According to UNICEF’s 2024 Global Database, an estimated 19% of girls in South Asia and 31% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa are married in very young age or teenage.
In Yemen, reports collected by Human Rights Watch and UNFPA show that poverty and conflict have led some families to arrange marriages for girls aged 10–14. In Nigeria, studies in the northern states by Girls Not Brides note that a portion of girls are still married before the adult age, often to much older men, despite national laws setting the minimum age which is 18 years old. Many muslim scholars try to hide their religious culture, which promote Pedophilia, in many islamic countries marriage of 9-12 years old girl is very common, mostly in tribal areas, aged men marry young girls. So to cover this, which is shameful for civilized society, muslim state that Biblical marriage of Isaac and Rebecca was also in the same scenario.
In modern discussions, some interpreters in other faith traditions have cited this rabbinic view to argue that child marriage existed in the Bible and therefore should not be condemned in their own cultures.
Such arguments overlook both the context and the meaning of Genesis 24.
Across history, many cultures not only in the Middle East but worldwide, have had practices of early marriage. Some have sought to justify these customs through selective readings of sacred texts.
But the biblical narrative of Rebekah does not support this practice at all, like other religious books.
Biblical account (Genesis 24):
Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah (Genesis 25:20).
Rebekah is described as a “young woman” (Hebrew: na’arah), but no specific age is mentioned.
Historically plausible estimate: around 14–20 years old
The biblical text itself gives clear contextual clues that Rebekah was an adult (a mature young woman), not a child.
Let’s look at the key evidence from Genesis 24:
1. She draws and carries heavy water jars
“She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.”
(Genesis 24:16)
Fetching water from a spring, especially drawing enough for ten camels (v. 19–20), was physically demanding work. Each camel can drink dozens of liters of water. This act indicates Rebekah was strong and capable, not a toddler or small child, not even a 3 years old or 14 years old girl.
2. She tends to the needs of animals and a guest
“She quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.” (Genesis 24:20)
This shows she had agency, initiative, and hospitality, traits of a responsible young woman in charge of her household duties.
3. She speaks independently and decisively
“We will call the young woman and ask her.” … She said, ‘I will go.’
(Genesis 24:57–58)
Her family respected her enough to ask her consent to go with Abraham’s servant. That’s something an adult or a woman would do, not a small child.
4. Word choice in Hebrew
The word used for her, na‘arah (נערה), means a young woman—typically a young adult or unmarried woman—not a child. It is the same term used for marriageable women elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
“ After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful. Genesis 24:19-21
Rebekah’s Virtue and Faith
Abraham’s servant prays for a woman of kindness and generosity:
“Let it be that the maiden to whom I say, ‘Please give me a drink,’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels,’ will be the one You have chosen for Your servant Isaac.” (Genesis 24:14)
Rebekah’s response fulfills this prayer perfectly. Her character and matruity proves her to be the right match for Isaac.
[Eliezer prayed,] “Let it be that the maiden to whom I will say, ‘Please tilt your pitcher so that I may drink,’ and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will also give water to your camels,’ will be the one whom You have designated for Your servant Isaac.” Genesis 24:14
Since God lacks nothing, generosity is the primary way in which He relates to the world. For the same reason, generosity is the natural hallmark of people who feel closely connected to God. In contrast, the hallmark of evil is selfishness. No matter how much an evil person possesses, he remains unsatisfied, so he seeks only to take and never to give.
Eliezer therefore sought a woman for Isaac who would display kindness. When Rebecca went beyond fulfilling Eliezer’s specific request by offering to also water his camels, he understood that she was a Godly person, kind, mature and thus a fitting match for the son of Abraham.