Interesting Facts

• Deborah is identified as Rebekah’s nurse.
• She remained with Jacob in Haran when Isaac’s servants left.
• Deborah did not return with Isaac’s servants to the land of Canaan but resided with Jacob’s wives and children in Haran.
• She died at Bethel and was buried under an oak tree, which was named Allonbachuth.
• The location of her burial is also referred to as ‘The river of Deborah’ and the oak as ‘The oak of the mourning of Deborah’.
• Jasher mentions a Deborah the daughter of Uz who was the nurse of Rebecca and had been with Jacob.

Genealogy

• Deborah was the nurse of Rebekah.
• Jasher identifies her as Deborah the daughter of Uz.
• She was associated with Jacob’s household in Haran.
• She is not explicitly mentioned to have any marital connections or offspring in the provided sources.

Historical Context

Deborah’s life intersected with the patriarchal and familial structures of the early generations following Abraham. The narratives highlight the importance of family ties and the roles of individuals within the household. As a nurse, Deborah likely held a position of trust and played a significant role in Rebekah’s life and later in the upbringing of Jacob’s children during their time in Haran. The act of Jacob burying her and naming the place in her memory suggests she was a respected figure within his household. The movement between geographical locations like Canaan and Haran was a notable aspect of this period, and Deborah’s extended stay with Jacob in Haran indicates a potential long-term commitment to his family.

Narrative

Deborah’s story, as pieced together from the sources, centers on her role as Rebekah’s nurse and her subsequent association with Jacob’s family. After Jacob was sent away to Laban in Haran, Deborah accompanied him or later joined his household there. Her decision to remain with Jacob and his family in Haran, even after Isaac’s servants returned to Canaan, suggests a strong bond with them. This indicates that her role extended beyond simply nursing Rebekah, as she became an integral part of Jacob’s household during his extended sojourn. Her death and burial at Bethel were significant enough events to be recorded, with Jacob himself burying her under an oak and naming the place in her honor – Allonbachuth, or ‘The oak of weeping’. Jubilees offers an alternative naming, ‘The river of Deborah’ and ‘The oak of the mourning of Deborah’, further emphasizing the impact of her passing. The mention in Jasher that this Deborah was the daughter of Uz adds a genealogical detail not present in Genesis or Jubilees. Overall, Deborah’s narrative, though brief, paints a picture of a loyal and significant figure who played a consistent supportive role within the families of Rebekah and Jacob.